Mary Ann O'Brien, chocolate entrepreneur and Senator

My business is. . . People and chocolate.

Doing business in the food sector in Ireland is. . . one of the greatest business places in the world to be in. What other country can you think of whose entire image is green? It is a great field to be in as an innovative entrepreneur, the opportunities are vast and the people you meet along the journey are superb. I am passionate about supporting organisations which promote the Irish food and drink industry such as Love Irish Food.

My typical day. . . does not exist. I am up at 7am or before, and then depending on the day, head to Lily O'Brien's in Newbridge or the Seanad in Leinster House. In our production kitchen in Newbridge I spend a great deal of time in development. The Seanad creates diversity in my business life and I am involved in the disability areas, as well as the Not for Profit sector, job creation, employment legislation and also sit on the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture. When I arrive home, I am met with a chorus of "What's for dinner?"

The best advice I've ever been given. . . The harder you work the more luck you have. The more you give, the more you get in return. The words "it can't be done" have been and must remain deleted from our dictionary.

Deepak Chopra. . . who I spent some time studying with, reminded me on several occasions that the word "ego" stands for "Edge God Out". The really important things in life are children, family, friends, animals, happiness in work and play.

I love what I do. . . except when I have to meet with the bank. In the last four years, it definitely takes the fun out of business and the pep from your step for a day or two.

It gives me a buzz when. . . Jonathan Irwin (my husband) raises another 100k for the Jack and Jill Foundation.

If I wasn't doing this I'd be. . . a vet.

When I'm not working .. . I am with my children, riding horses, golfing, playing with the dogs, gardening.

My dream dinner party guests would be . .. Gosh I could name a thousand off the top of my head: Miriam O'Callaghan, Meryl Streep, Baroness Detta O'Cathain, Martin McAleese, Richard Branson, Gabriel Byrne, Joanna Lumley, Kay O'Flynn, the Dali Lama – beside Michael O'Leary, beside Gandhi – Liam Neeson, Julia Roberts, Jeremy Clarkson, Enda Kenny, Peter Ustinov, Dermot Morgan, Stephen Fry, Dawn French, Michael O'Doherty, Rory McElroy, Coco Chanel, and I could not dream of having a party without Rhona Blake.

And I'd cook them. . . Chicken Coronation, (free-range of course), freshly picked green salad and new potatoes from the garden, and my latest craze – homemade pizza with three cheeses and fresh basil. We'd finish with chocolate roulade and raspberries.

With it we'd drink. . . Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir and lots of triple distilled Kettel One Vodka.

My ideal weekend is spent .. . at home with the family (animals included); going to horse shows; always a bit of cooking, baking, gardening, and hopefully some fun and good conversation with friends.

I'm passionate about .. . being alive and making the best of every day.

I'm really good at .. . cooking, baking and talking to dogs; some people seem to think I am a good business person.

I wish I was better at .. . concentrating.

I often imagine myself. . . to be a scratch golfer.

Not many people know this about me. . . but I was expelled from school a week before my Leaving Cert.

My guilty pleasure is .. . chocolate, red wine.

If I were to describe myself in words they'd be .. . grateful, lucky, happy, blessed, entrepreneurial, enthusiastic, polite, spiritual, direct, determined, persistent.

Mary Ann O’Brien is chairman and founder of Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates and a senator in Seanad Eireann

In conversation with Marie-Claire Digby