Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Washington

In your circumstance, unless there is some type of special or proprietary technique you were going to use, your only options are either to A) open up a shop near your friend, compete with her and see what happens, or B) open a shop away from hers and not directly compete with her but with others instead, or C) forget the idea all together.

I recommend A or B since this appears to be your dream. Do not let this former friend get to you. If it were not her, it would be someone else. That's business. People compete. Some are nicer than others or at least collegial or polite. Others are low class or cut throat. There are many styles of business people. You just need to decide which one you are and get out there and compete.

Do yourself another favor. Hire a business attorney to negotiate any leases or other contracts related to the business, and hire an accountant and bookkeeper to help make sure all your taxes are getting paid properly and to keep your books up to date and ready to go in case that's ever needed. That is a sizable investment up front, but a necessary one as any small business owner will tell you.

Next, if you're in a service based industry, you also need to plan and budget for advertising and that includes you networking. Join the Rotary Club, volunteer hair cuts for underprivileged girls or women in shelters, etc. Get out there and have a stack of cards to get known in the community. It will help generate business and good will.

Above all, make sure you have a BUSINESS PLAN that is written, vetted by someone else, and followed.

Best of luck to you.