Name: Pat O’ Sullivan
Position: Managing Director
You won Retail & Hospitality Business can you give our members an insight into what it takes to become Retail & Hospitality Business?
In Masterchefs we are a very diverse business with one core theme, catering excellence”. Our portfolio of business encompasses the high street with Café Noir & Copia Green, Event Catering, Cafes & Restaurants in the Education Sector, Sports & Recreation, Healthcare and so on but the core principal of providing excellent standards of food & service runs through all sectors. Consistency is key & to do that you need very good reporting structures & audit systems.
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in business?
In business there are many lessons. Don’t take success for granted, continue to evolve & innovate or you are destined to fail. Keep your finger on the financial pulse of the business and ensure you have reliable up to date financial information. Listen to your team on the ground, they know what’s going on.
Any advice for new business owners just getting started?
Ensure there is a market for what you are about to embark on. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Set realistic goals & targets and put in place a robust business plan on how you’re going to get there. Believe in your conviction & vison for the business. “Get the right people on the bus”, it’s very important that you hire the best people for the role you require. Ensure you share your vision with every single member of the team, you can’t do it on your own. Finally, stay true to the ethos of the business even when you come under pressure to deviate, eg. drop quality to meet a price point, never compromise on quality.
What is your proudest moment in business?
Apart from the obvious trill of winning new contracts, without doubt acquiring a building & setting up the Artisan Food Factory in 2012 stands out. You have to take into account the economic environment at that time where the focus for most companies was staying in business, to put the significance of that strategic move into context. It was brave, frightening, rewarding & visionary all at the same time but looking back it was absolutely the right thing to do.
Would you recommend entering the awards and do you have any advice for people thinking of entering next year?
Yes absolutely, recognition is important and hugely motivating for the team. Being shortlisted is a massive achievement for any company given the pool of highly successful businesses in the region. Winning such a prestigious award in our own region is a source of great pride as this is the community that has supported our business growth. Put time into presenting the story of your business success.
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