New York to New Farm: How Big Apple life and Irish cakes brought Aiko’s business home

Aiko Neligan’s New York chapter might never have happened if not for cake.

Desperately waiting for Irish police to send through the documents that would let her finalise her visa application and stay in New York, Neligan had an ingenious idea. She Googled the best cake shop in Dublin, and started sending desserts to the station to sweeten her appeal.

It was the thing that got her dream to live in the city – where she would go on to work as an executive assistant for Wendi Deng, meet Anna Wintour at the Met Gala, and get serious about yoga – over the line.

That was more than five years ago. The Neligan that emerges from her yoga, wellness and fitness studio in New Farm on a warm winter’s morning is far less concerned with leaving the city she grew up in.

Situated on the corner of Annie and James Street, Assembly by Aiko straddles the suburban end of the road, a few blocks back from the lively concentration of storefronts, restaurants and bars that have transformed this neighbourhood into a drawcard for interstate and international tourists.

Classes are held in a bright but modest room, straight off the street. While size has restricted the scale of her business – “We only have five people per class” – Neligan sees that as a benefit. “I think it’s actually better for the space,” she says, pointing to the popularity of her one-on-one sessions.

Sipping homemade matcha lattes from opposite sides of the kitchen bench, the next hour is spent moving through the decades that have, eventually, brought her full circle.

Neligan grew up in Jindalee, a suburb in Brisbane’s south-west. After a brief stint at uni she moved to London, the first of many years spent living and working overseas.

Throughout her 20s, she travelled South America, took advantage of her Irish heritage to study abroad at Trinity College in Dublin (yes, the college mentioned in all those Sally Rooney novels) and, after dabbling with the idea of settling back in Brisbane, instead moved to New York.

When a year didn’t satisfy the NY itch, Neligan got serious about a visa that would allow her to stay. She got lucky with the green card lottery, but needed a police check from Ireland before it could be finalised. Which is where the cake came in.

“They never confirmed that they did [rush the check through], but on the Friday, the American embassy reached out and I had all the paperwork they needed,” she recalls.

That combination of dexterity and determination is a common thread throughout Neligan’s life, particularly the one she led in New York. It helped her complete her yoga training, secure clients and gain proximity to people with big ideas, particularly while working for businesswoman, investor and film producer Wendi Deng.

“I wasn’t directly involved in any big decisions. But during that time I really felt how centre of the earth New York can be with everything going on.”

She describes a kind of “osmosis”, where even being around people trying to effect change or “throwing everything they’ve got” at an idea was inspiring.

Neligan left New York three years ago and moved back to Brisbane. The decision was partly influenced by ongoing gynaecological issues (and subsequent traumatic dealings with the US medical system), the pandemic and the simple fact that, despite loving it there, “it never fully felt like home”.

After travelling and tasting the pace of a city like New York, how does Neligan feel about cementing her future in Brisbane?

“Having been gone a decade, Brisbane has changed so much,” Neligan says. “I think it’s all for the better. Our cultural, dining and of course wellness scenes have evolved and there is so much on offer now.”

Especially in James Street where she runs her business. Down the road, neighbours include the Calile Hotel, restaurants like sAme sAme and ESSA, and storefronts for bassike, Bec + Bridge, SIR. and Zimmermann.

“I love running a business here. We have established an amazing and supportive community.”

Of course, there are things she misses about New York. But there’s more she loves about Brisbane.

“I feel being home in Brisbane I am more grounded,” Neligan says.

“People are less jaded and cynical, which I think creates a softer atmosphere and greater ease in dealing with life. While we all still have our individual stresses, collectively I feel Brisbane is a lighter and brighter place to be.

“I love being back here as it’s where I grew up. I describe it like an old, comfy sweater.”