Investing in Employees and Personal Growth: A Conversation with Jessica Lavery

As the host of this podcast, I had the pleasure of engaging in a fascinating conversation with Jessica Lavery, the marketing manager for Resilience Healthcare. Our discussion covered a wide range of topics, from the importance of investing in employees to the challenges and rewards of working in marketing.

The Importance of Employee Investment

Jessica kicked off our conversation by emphasizing the importance of investing in employees and supporting their personal growth. She suggested that businesses should encourage their employees to attend conferences, talks, and courses to expand their knowledge and bring new insights back to the business. This is a valuable lesson for any business leader looking to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Jess's Background and Personal Values

We then delved into Jessica’s background and her loyalty as a friend. I had previously spoken to a mutual friend, Keira, who praised Jessica for being the kindest and most loyal friend. Jessica attributes her loyalty to the belief that what goes around comes around, and she treats others the way she wants to be treated. She emphasized the importance of being a friend's biggest cheerleader, even when they're not present.

Jessica also shared her belief in supporting and cheering on other women, especially in the age of social media. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of solidarity and support in our increasingly connected world.

From Fashion Journalism to Marketing

Jessica’s journey into marketing was not a straightforward one. She initially had a passion for fashion journalism and even had a fashion column in the Galway Advertiser. However, after graduating in 2008, she found that there were no jobs available in journalism. Determined to find a way, she took a job as a makeup artist at Brown Thomas, despite having no prior experience in makeup.

This experience taught Jessica the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity. It also gave her a unique perspective on the power of marketing, as she observed how people always found a way to buy makeup, even during the financial crisis of 2008.

Balancing Motherhood and Career

At the age of 23, Jessica became a mother, which brought about another significant change in her life. She reflected on the transition from being a student to being responsible for someone else. Despite the challenges of balancing motherhood with her desire to still live a carefree life in her 20s, Jessica acknowledged that becoming a parent brought purpose and a sense of achievement to her life.

Lessons from a Career in Marketing

Jessica shared valuable insights from her career in marketing, emphasizing the importance of proving oneself every day by delivering results for clients and building strong relationships. She also highlighted the importance of brand awareness and consistency in marketing, using the example of Pampers advertising to a broad audience, even if not everyone currently needs their products.

Jessica also discussed the challenges of dealing with reactive decision-making in marketing, where sales fluctuations can lead to sudden changes in marketing plans. She believes that marketers should take back control and not let a bad weekend dictate their entire strategy.

Embracing Fitness and Finding Joy in the Small Things

Jessica also shared her experience of being pregnant for the second time and her dedication to going to the gym. She found joy in the small things, such as spending time with her kids and enjoying the beautiful weather. She made the most of her time off and manifested a new job and a new car within two weeks.

Attracting New Talent and Creating a Positive Work Environment

Finally, Jessica discussed her role in attracting new talent and creating a positive work environment at Resilience Healthcare. She believes that by fostering happiness among employees, they become advocates for the company and help attract new talent.

One aspect of Jessica's job is creating content, particularly videos, to give a voice to the service users they work with, many of whom have autism and may be nonverbal. She finds this aspect of her job incredibly rewarding as she helps these individuals find their voice and platform.

In conclusion, my conversation with Jessica Lavery was a treasure trove of insights and lessons on personal growth, resilience, and the power of marketing. Her story is a testament to the importance of investing in employees, embracing change, and finding joy in the small things.

From Hairdressing to Business: A Journey with Mike O'Connor



I'm thrilled to share with you an engaging conversation I had with Mike O'Connor, the owner of the Galway hair and beauty salon, Bellissimo. Our discussion revolved around Mike's journey in the hairdressing business, starting from the 80s, his challenges, and his perspective on business and education.

The Early Days

Mike began his hairdressing career at the tender age of 19 in a small salon called Michael Daniels. Despite the societal norms of the 80s where male hairdressers were few and far between, Mike's mother backed him all the way. He found joy in the thrill of working in a hair salon, the environment, and the satisfaction of making people feel good about themselves. Within a year, he qualified as a hairdresser and opened his own salon shortly after.

Education and Business

When I asked Mike about his educational background, he revealed that he never went to college. He believes that college isn't necessary for success in business. His daughter is studying financial maths and economics in college, while his son has chosen to pursue a similar path to his dad at a barber shop.

The Challenges and Triumphs

Mike's early years in the hairdressing business were not without challenges. Despite the difficulties in the first few years and the financial hurdles they brought, he persevered with the support of his friends and the scarcity of hair salons at the time. His ambition led him to open a second salon in Castlebar, but it didn't work out due to the lack of business and difficulty in finding hairdressers.

The Unexpected Turn

Our conversation took an unexpected turn when Mike shared his experience of opening a hair salon in Moscow, Russia. He was approached by two investors who had ambitious plans for expanding their business in Moscow after the country opened up its economy. Mike operated one of the best salons in Moscow for two years, under challenging circumstances, until he was forced to leave Moscow. Despite the circumstances, he describes it as an exciting time for him and it fueled his ambition to open Bellissimo.

The Birth of Bellissimo

Mike and his wife Maria took a leap of faith to open a large salon in Galway, called Bellissimo. They transformed a vacant unit owned by Joe Hanley into a spacious salon with a cafe, barber shop, beauty rooms, and a gym. Mike attributes the success of Bellissimo to their unique concept of offering pamper hampers and a range of treatments from head to toe. They were the first to introduce this concept, which became popular and was later replicated by other businesses.

The Impact of Rising Rents and COVID-19

Mike and I discussed the impact of rising rents on small businesses and the effects of COVID-19 on the hairdressing industry. Mike mentioned that many hairdressers started working from home during the pandemic, leading to a loss of clients for salons. He emphasized the importance of supporting each other in the industry and mentioned his close friendship with another hairdresser, Sean Costello.

The Economic Downturn and Its Impact

The economic crash of 2008-2010 hit Mike hard. He found himself in a difficult situation when the banks appointed a receiver for his property, Terry Brennan’s Tavern, and sold it for a fraction of its value. Despite the financial challenges, Mike managed to negotiate his way around the debt and property issues. He even took unconventional measures, such as buying and delivering coal to make ends meet.

The Future of Bellissimo

Mike talked about the importance of his business partner, Dympna, and how their close relationship has shaped his business thoughts and processes. He also expressed his ambitions for his son, Mikey Junior, who is involved in men's grooming, to change the hairdressing model for men, just as he did for women with Bellissimo.

Conclusion

Mike's journey from a young hairdresser to a successful businessman is truly inspiring. Despite the challenges and setbacks, he has managed to build a successful business and create a positive environment at Bellissimo. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, ambition, and the importance of supporting each other in the industry. Garry really enjoyed talking to Mike and hearing all the wonderful adventures his passion for hairdressing has brought him on.