What sets your business apart?
It's the only distributor of Salin Plus, which is a salt therapy for those suffering from respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis and asthma. Salin Plus uses a non-invasive method of delivering tiny salt particles deep into a person's lungs, in the comfort of their own home while they sleep.
Our other product is an innovative monitored dosage system to aid the safe administration of medicines in nursing homes and the home. Ours is by far the easiest to use, the least labour intensive and is the only one in Ireland that has a computer programme accompanying it which helps the patient identify their drugs, their pharmacist and medical care staff.
What was the best piece of business advice you've ever received?
Monkey see, monkey do. If you're not leading by example, your staff won't do the same. I'm first in at 8.30 in the morning, the last to leave at 7pm and only take 20 minutes for lunch. You have to lead by example.
What's the biggest mistake you've made in business?
The biggest mistake any person in business can make is losing track of where they came from and forgetting their grassroots. People should stay grounded despite their success and remember where they started.
And your major success to date?
A total €92 million was spent on inhalers in 2011 and pharmaceutical companies are very powerful. We're the only distributor of salt therapy device for anyone who has respiratory problems such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, sinusitis. It helps them and prevents them from taking antibiotics all the time. Hopefully, in four years' time it will be more common and there will be fewer people taking antibiotics – that would be a great success to me.
Who do you most admire in business and why?
My father, HB O'Donoghue. He has had a lifetime experience of business. I admire any hard working individual.
Based on your experience in the downturn, are the banks in Ireland open for business to SMEs?
The bank I deal with, Ulster Bank, is fantastic, so from my business perspective, the bank has been good to me and been helpful to my business. The staff in my local branch are brilliant and offer great personal service.
What one piece of advice would you give to the Government to help stimulate the economy?
Support small local business because that's the cornerstone of communities. Small businesses are trying to get by but they need to give us a break. The rates, electricity, PAYE, PRSI and so forth are high.
It’s easier not to employ someone than to employ someone and the Government need to address that. I have no intervention or help from the Government and they don’t make it easy for people. Longford Enterprise Board have been particularly helpful to the business.
What's been the biggest challenge you have had to face?
Trying to make more people aware of the product. I know in my heart and soul that this is a fantastic product and how much it helps CF patients. We in Ireland have the second shortest lifespan for CF patients in the world. I've had hundreds of personal letters about how much the product has helped people. If we had more money to create more awareness of the product, that would be great.
How do you see the short-term future for your business?
Very tense and fragile. We don't know where we're going to be next year. If it can't wash its face we'll have to stop supplying it to distributors. We will have to wait and see. I'm a pharmacist and didn't intend to set up a business, but if we had help with marketing and advertising it would certainly help.
What's your business worth and would you sell it?
I'm not sure how much it's worth. I'd sell it if I knew the person buying it was as passionate about the product as me. Improving people's health is a key priority. The company has potential; I'm on the verge of securing a new distribution deal in the UK, and exploring opportunities in the United Arab Emirates to expand the business.
In conversation with Áine McMahon
