When fashion design student Mia Elizabeth White had to select a subject for her business dissertation, she chose one close to home – her mum Julie’s shop in Rochford.

Using the jewellery and accessories shop JJW Designs as her model, the East London University student proposed ways in which the business could be developed.

Then, after graduation, she proceeded to put her dissertation plan into action, by moving into partnership with her mother.

The pair now represent an unusual example of a mother and daughter operating side by side in a close working relationship.

The business has already undergone one drastic change – in its name. It is now called Mia- Elizabeth.

Julie, 52, who founded JJW Designs in 2009, says she is more than happy to see her 24-year-old daughter’s name rather than her own take over the shop-front.

She said: “The new name fits with our intention to move upmarket.”

This shift in direction follows one of the recommendations in Mia’s dissertation. Another is that the business is concentrating more on accessories as a core product.

Mia said: “When I was doing my research for the dissertation, I found that, during the recession, there had been an increased demand for quality products, even when they were more expensive. We acted on that.”

Mother and daughter retain separate roles.

Mia said: “There are clean lines between our working routines, but we have a lot of meetings to co-ordinate everything.”

Mia spends a good deal of time in the workshop behind the shop, putting together the tailored mother-of the- bride or mother-of-the-groom wedding outfits that are one staple of the business. Julie is the front of shop manager, and is in charge of the overall look of Mia-Elizabeth products, which gives a signature appearance and consistency to everything they produce.

As a graduate of Southend College of Art and Design, Julie is well qualified for this role.

Mia said: “We’re very fifty-fifty, but mum is the one with the business head, massively more than me.

“If push came to shove, I would probably give way to mum’s opinion. But we have never reached that stage. We have never had any head to- head confrontation while working together.”

For any other close family members working together as partners, the pair have some simple advice.

Julie said: “If there is anything on your mind, talk it out. Speak your mind – don’t let it simmer. We both know when the other one is upset about something, even before they’ve said anything about it.”

The other rule is that mother and daughter never talk about business at home.

Julie said: “Family is the most important thing. We would never let business do anything to undermine that. The two should be kept completely separate.”