Next up in our mini series about female business owners is Claire Brett from Dublin Herbalists.
Tell us about yourself, where are you from and what business do you run?
My name is Claire Brett. I am originally from Kildare but spent many years living in Dublin. I started my natural skincare business there- Dublin Herbalists- and then married a man from Mullinahone in Tipperary and moved down there, taking the business with me. Hence it is Dublin Herbalists, made in Tipperary.
What made you decide to set up your own business?
I did many jobs in my late teens and twenties, as well as a lot of travelling. I decided quite early on that I wanted to work for myself, although I wasn't too sure what I would be doing. After I finished studying and set up as a Herbalist and Naturopath, I started making creams on the side. This began flourishing as a business in its own right, and everything went from there.
What do you love about running your own business?
The flexibility, freedom and creativity. No day is ever the same and of course, being able to fit it all in around my 3 children.
And the parts you don’t love?
There are many challenges that arise when running one's own business. The secret is not to run from anything but face it head on, do what you can to understand the issue at hand in order to face it with confidence and then take action. Oftentimes the things I don't love at first, become things I do with ease once I have understood them properly and done them a few times.
What was your biggest learning curve?
The huge digital aspect of work today and how it is a part of every aspect of the business. Continuous learning and upskilling in this area is a must.
What would be your advice to other women in business or thinking about starting out?
Go for it! Find your niche and area of interest/ passion, figure out your competitive edge and start. Fear and overthinking everything is your enemy.
We know you are very busy, how do you take care of yourself?
I do 2-3 pilates classes weekly, I eat well and I make many, many lists.
How can people support small Irish businesses?
Buy as local as you can, seek out Irish small business websites and also tell your friends about them. Share small business posts on social media and comment/ like them- it all helps spread the word.
Tell us a book/podcast/other business that you admire/would recommend.
