In Conversation With - Denis Hedderman..................................................................................................................................................... The marathon of life
Denis Hedderman, founder of Star Products International, shares his passion for family and the industry with IB.
I decided to enter the industry because my wife Cathy was running her own very successful Nail Bar in Switzers, now BT’s, on Grafton Street. I suggested that she should source the products to supply the market, and build a wholesale training business. She politely pointed out to me that her business was doing fine and asked why I didn’t set up the business to support her. So in 1989 we moved into our home, started a family and started the business all in the space of a few months. It’s hard to believe that we started Star Products International 22 years ago, some of our customers now weren’t born then!
I love this business for many reasons, it has given me the opportunity to be self employed. It has helped me develop a lot of skills and really helped me discover what I am good and not so good at. I have met and made many life long friends, some wonderful people who have worked with me and some customers whom I consider friends. The fact that it is always changing with new products, new techniques, equipment, it never stops. I love that it’s mainly women and its beauty and well-being products.
I am married to Cathy, and we have three children – Aoife, 22, Cormac, 17, and Kate, 13. We also have a dog called Mini, a rabbit called Bubbles, and 12 goldfish (each has a name but I will spare you the list!). I cycle, play the guitar, study philosophy, eat above my weight, and try to stay out of the fast lane.
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“I think I know my limitations, that is not to say that I don’t or won’t venture beyond them…”
In my spare time I spend as much time as they can bear with my children. When the time comes they will leave the nest to do their own thing and we will see less of them. I would not want to have any regrets for having missed out on being around them as they grow up. I cycle a bit and try to stay fit, I listen to music a lot and I enjoy meeting friends for a bite to eat and a pint. I enjoy nature and going for walks in the country. In the summer we spend a lot of time in Brittas Bay, I love the beach although the water is cold…But you can’t have everything.
I am fairly persistent, and I don’t give up easily. I keep chipping away like a woodpecker. Life is a marathon, not a short sprint. Having done a few marathons I know that on the journey one will experience highs and lows, you might even hit a wall but you will get there, it is worth it as long as you keep going. I think I know my limitations, that is not to say that I don’t or won’t venture beyond them every now and again.
There is an old saying that people who work in sweet shops rarely eat sweets, well that is true for me when it comes to beauty products and treatments. I can’t remember the last time I had a treatment, I think it was a back massage.
I couldn’t live without music, followed closely by a good blast of sunshine. Add in some delicious food, a few glasses of wine in a nice location, with a magical view and I am happy. It reminds me of the Lou Reeds’ song Perfect Day.
My first and most important childhood hero would be my Dad. Outside of family it would have to be Muhammad Ali. He was and is the greatest. John Lennon wasn’t bad either. One was a fighter, the other just wanted to give peace a chance. They both were amazing people outside of what they were most famous for.
My motto for living your life is treat others the way you would like to be treated yourself, in all circumstances. It covers so much.
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