Niamh Hogan Learns To Conquer The Fear Factor
We manufacture luxurious plant-based aromatherapy skincare products to give you healthy vibrant skin and a lot of feel good. Products contain super absorbent ingredients that feed the skin nutrients to keep it healthy and protected against the signs of ageing. It’s a comfort blanket to the senses and velvet to the skin
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What inspired you to start your business?
On a personal level it was because I wanted a challenge. On a market level I wanted to create a skincare brand that encouraged women to be strong, empowered and special. I wanted them to use Holos is a way they desired or needed to, to add vitality to their skin, their well-being and their world.
Did you get start-up financial support?
Yes, Local enterprise office funding to start
What is the biggest hurdle you have faced, or are still facing?
Getting the word out. You need to constantly be creating new and exciting news to keep you fresh in people’s/influencers minds. Also cashflow is always a challenge for a start-up. Luckily we are in good shape due to investment.
What’s the biggest mistake you have made? |
''If it scares me I have to do it.'' |
Not listening to people who know better
What advice would you offer to anyone who is thinking of starting a business?
Make sure you have got recipe of passion and reality, you need both, and learn that fear is a good thing and can easily be transformed into excitement as you face your fears. Also on a purely business level, do your market research. If you think it’s great and the market doesn’t well then you need to take another look. If it’s going to fail, fail fast, no sense in dragging it out
How do you achieve a healthy work-life balance, especially being a mum?
There’s no such thing as work life balance! If you work for yourself you’ll work a lot especially for the first few years. If you’re not willing to put in the work, then you won’t succeed. Eventually you balance it out a little bit more but the business will always be on your mind. As for being a Mum, my daughter has a Dad to so I manage my work-life balance the same way as he does. We have an equal share in parenting and taking care of the home and that’s the way it should be.
What has been the proudest moment in your business so far – your proudest achievement, or moment of significance to you?
I really can’t pick one, there’s been lots. Facing the Dragons on Dragons Den and getting investment, Pitching to Enterprise Ireland and getting investment. Winning my first business award was mind blowing, Holos won BOI Startup of the year in 2014. Whenever I face a new fear in business, I feel proud of doing that.
There’s no such thing as work life balance! If you work for yourself you’ll work a lot especially for the first few years. If you’re not willing to put in the work, then you won’t succeed. Eventually you balance it out a little bit more but the business will always be on your mind. As for being a Mum, my daughter has a Dad to so I manage my work-life balance the same way as he does. We have an equal share in parenting and taking care of the home and that’s the way it should be.
What has been the proudest moment in your business so far – your proudest achievement, or moment of significance to you?
I really can’t pick one, there’s been lots. Facing the Dragons on Dragons Den and getting investment, Pitching to Enterprise Ireland and getting investment. Winning my first business award was mind blowing, Holos won BOI Startup of the year in 2014. Whenever I face a new fear in business, I feel proud of doing that.
Do you have a story similar to Niamh's? Can you relate to her experience on your entrepreneur journey? If so, please let us know in the comments section below!