What business person do you most admire?
Marissa Carter, founder and CEO of Cocoa Brown. Marissa created the world’s first one-hour tan and is a true innovator. Apart from her business acumen, she is a big supporter of other women in business and is a mentor to many in her role on the Going for Growth programme. Her support is genuine and practical in nature. I can only aspire to have the same impact in our sector as Marissa has achieved in hers.
What is your guilty pleasure?
From time to time I am known to eat Nutella straight out of the jar with a spoon. Please don’t judge me.
How do you unwind?
Walking my dog daily and meeting up with friends to go to see comedy shows when we can.
How much money is in your wallet?
Today I have €17 in my wallet. I am trying to use cash again as it is easier to keep track of it when you can physically see what you are spending.
The last book you read?
Eyewitness Auschwitz by Flip Muller. Gut wrenching.
What is the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
Sales, sales and more sales. Everything comes after that.
Who is the most famous person in your contacts list?
Sonya Lennon.
How do you manage your work/life balance?
With difficulty. I aim to set time aside at the weekend to meet up with family and friends. At the moment as the business is in a growth phase, Monday to Friday will continue to involve long working hours.
The last film you watched?
It Ends with Us
What is your favourite possession?
My photo albums. I am old school with photos and have them printed off in albums in chronological order. I often pick one up to flick through all of the memories and it never fails to make me smile.
What’s your most memorable holiday ever?
When I was 20 and had a girls holiday to Ayia Napa with my friends. The best of times. My memory of that holiday was laughing hard for the two weeks, busy being young and carefree. We came home with the usual in-jokes and holiday phrases which we still giggle about now.
What social media do you use?
Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
If money were no object, what would your fantasy purchase be?
Considering the long working hours at the moment, if I had unlimited money in the bank, I dream about going on holiday for at least three weeks with my children to stay at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Any time off work is a bit of a fantasy this year, but it won’t be forever.
What is the first website you look at every morning?
RTÉ news.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird. My energy is at its highest early in the day, so I go with that.
If you were taoiseach for a day, what would you do?
Reform the family courts system.
What person do you most admire?
My mam, Lillie, who is 87 years old. She still lives alone and despite declining health, she has the motivation to get up every day and continues to be interested in life. She loves her fashion, current affairs and of course the gossip. Her generation broke the mould when it comes to resilience.
Anything you would like to plug?
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