Susan O’Sullivan is the owner of the Farmhouse Cafe on the Long Mile Road in Dublin. It was a business she never expected to establish, but the recession forced her hand.

“We saved the house, but we were in deep financial trouble. We opened the cafe with four tables and no money and it worked."

So what advice would Susan offer any budding entrepreneur.

“Don’t be afraid of doing something that other people are already doing. Just do it better.

"Change can be forced on you, like the recession forced change on us. But looking back I would never have gotten off my chair unless I was forced to, so you never know what’s around the corner.”

Mairead Lavery and Susan O'Sullivan. \ Philip Doyle

Susan also advised delegates to be passionate about the change they wanted and it helps to have a plan.

“Don’t ask your family. They won’t be independent and will tell you everything is great or, worse still, advise you against making the move. Get independent views. If you fail, try something else.

“Use the farmers markets for feedback, upskill, talk to trusted people and look at the many supports that are there to help you.”

Teacher

Gerard Brickley started his working life as a teacher and went on to work in various senior roles in Bord Bia.

However, his daily commute from the family farm in Laois to Dublin was taking five hours a day, so something had to give.

“I suppose I faced a choice of working to retirement age or leaving early when I had plenty of energy to try something new. Income was a concern, but the children were done for so we could take the chance. And it was great.

"However, when we revised everything after six months, we found that we were getting great prices but making no money. That’s when we decided to change to dairying.”

Gerard Brickley. \ Philip Doyle

They have a pedigree herd of Fleckvieh cows and sell breeding stock and have an agency for semen.

Gerard’s advice to career changers is to talk to one or two trusted people to get their advice.

"Don’t leave it too late, you need energy to make a success of change.”

Workplace

Irish Farmers Journal journalist Mairead Lavery told delegates to never underestimate how hard it can be for women to take a step into the workplace if they have been working in the home for even a few years.

“Your confidence isn’t great and any setback can prevent you from taking that first step.”

Mairead recalled being told her skills were dated and that, at the age of 42, she was too old to retrain.

Mairead Lavery. \ Philip Doyle

However, a chance conversation with then-editor Matt Dempsey had her writing her first report for the paper. Almost 20 years later, she is still with the Journal. So what’s her advice?

“Find someone who has belief in you and trust what they say. Family support is essential and I was lucky to have it in spades.”

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