In the High Flyers spotlight this week is Vicki O'Loughlin, operations manager at Galgorm Collection
What was your first job?
During my first year of university, I had two weekend jobs. I was a kitchen porter at a café, and also a waitress in a family-run bistro. Both jobs were in my home town in Dublin and were a great introduction to the dynamic and fast-paced world of hospitality.
To what do you attribute your success?
I’ve always been really self-driven, both in education and in the working world. I’ve always taken every opportunity available to me and picked up every shift going, which means I’ve always been working towards a new goal, or learning something new. Working abroad as a culinary and food & beverage intern in the USA also helped to open a lot of doors for me when I came back to Northern Ireland. The experience of setting up a new life for yourself, in a new town, and a new country, teaches you resilience, adaptability, and confidence, and you make lots of new contacts.
How would you describe yourself to someone who has never met you?
I am a very detail-orientated and analytical person. When confronted with a decision, I weigh up the pros and cons, and try to think of every possible outcome so I can rest assured I’ve made the right choice. I’m also really competitive, but I put that down to being very passionate about anything I do!
Who do you look up to in business?
My mum was an incredibly hard-working individual and ran her own successful pharmacy business for over 30 years. While I was growing up, she definitely inspired me to dream big and stay focused on what you want to achieve.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
My management style is that I would never ask a member of my team to do something that I wouldn’t do. I’ve worked for managers in the past who rolled up their sleeves and others who didn’t, and I know I always worked harder for the former. I also believe it’s really important to share experience and knowledge, and to support people as they develop and progress in their careers – a philosophy which was recently reflected in Galgorm Collection’s certification as a ‘Great Place To Work’ following an independent employee survey of our 1000-strong workforce.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
I think that the hospitality industry often gets a hard time in Northern Ireland – in that its impact on the economy is sometimes underestimated. If I could change one thing specifically, I would want the career potential within the sector to be given the recognition it deserves, as there are so many exciting, challenging and rewarding vocations across different areas of work.
What website or app could you not do without?
I couldn’t do without Netflix. I’ll never grow tired of watching The Office!
What was the last book you read?
I recently read and enjoyed “This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor” which is a memoir of author Adam Kay’s time in the NHS. It’s a real eye-opener and so I would highly recommend either the book or the audiobook.
What car do you drive?
I drive a reliable hybrid Hyundai.
Tell us something interesting about yourself.
Not many people know that I’m an accomplished Irish dancer, and that I spent 13 years taking part in dancing championships and shows. Like I said, I’m very competitive – and I built up quite the collection of trophies and medals!
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
I’m definitely a real foodie. Nothing makes me happier than going out for dinner and a few drinks, or hosting a dinner party with my family and friends.
