In ConversationWith -HilaryMcMurray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Work hard, play hard
Hilary McMurray, Founder of beauty supplier Euro Products, talks to IB about her life in and out of work.
Euro Products was started as a hobby and was run from home. It evolved from being a part time home hire sunbed business to supplying commercial sunbeds to salons. This then led to the distribution of other beauty products. The knowledge gained from working in this service sector industry combined with marketing and sales experience gave me invaluable experience to develop and expand my own company.
I love the diversity of the job. Obviously running your own business can be very satisfying but you have to be prepared to work long hours on occasions, which means personal sacrifices. I have a very competitive nature and I also like to do things as well as possible; I believe if you are not going to give something 100%, you shouldn’t meddle in it. I know my own personal values are conducive to putting myself under pressure at times but if you really believe in something and are passionate about it, this is something you are prepared to do. For me, success is not only about money, it is achieving goals and enjoying what I do everyday.
Some people seem to think the higher you go in business the less you have to do and maybe that philosophy works for some but I have not found it to be the case. However I am a self confessed workaholic which I think has a lot to do with being brought up with a farming background where the work ethos is 24/7.
The key factor is working with a great team. Above all everyone enjoys working together and we constantly strive to work a team. I refer to the staff as my extended family and it is this extended family that together has got the business to where it is today. Our key goal is to be a reputable and valued supplier within the beauty industry with a strong focus on customer care.
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Hilary McMurray
“I feel I’m one of those people who could still be trying to achieve thingswhen I’m 70 or 80...”
I don’t have a lot of spare time but at the weekend we have a touring caravan and like to get away with a group of like- minded friends who share this pastime. We love to walk through the Forest Parks, cook on the BBQ and enjoy a few bevies with friends when the craic is mighty. The joy of a touring caravan is that you get to visit different towns and places, which in itself is educational. On a weekend away, I like to do a little shopping (and I don’t mean food shopping). I also enjoy eating out and socialising with close family and friends!
Above all else, I hope that the man above affords me long life on this planet and more importantly the health to enjoy it, together with my family. I feel I’m one of those people who could still be trying to achieve things when I’m 70 or 80. I’m just not good at doing nothing, I like to be busy and try to use my time
effectively. Although on a sunny holiday I do relax by the pool with a book and just soak up the sun. I believe if you work hard you can afford to play hard. At some point in the future, maybe in retirement, I would like to have more time for charity work, perhaps organising an expedition to deliver goods to a third world country.
I don’t think there is anything you can’t live without. It’s more what you wouldn’t want to live without. For me that would be a bath as I love to just lie and soak with aromatherapy candles burning. It’s a great place of calm for thinking. When travelling I am always disappointed if there is only a shower in the washroom.
I would like to be remembered quite simply as someone who has made a difference.
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