By Business & Finance 
Deirdre Waldron, president of Network Ireland and founder of communications agency Fuzion, takes the Business & Finance 60-second challenge.
Q. What was your first job?
From a very young age my siblings and I worked alongside my parents in their restaurant in Tralee, Co. Kerry.
As soon as we could reach the sink we were washing dishes and as soon as we could carry a plate or two we were serving guests! It gave us all a great work ethic.
Q. What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
Within Network Ireland, our rebrand this year and of course our sell-out conference ‘Fearless Ambition’, which brings together over 250 leading Irish businesswomen.
Within Fuzion, it is probably the award-winning cystic fibrosis (CF) awareness campaign which led to a Government turnaround and funding for a dedicated adult CF unit in St Vincent’s Hospital. Also our work with establishing the Cycle Against Suicide charity with Jim Breen.
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Q. In three words or less, how do you define success?
Winning happy.
Q. How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
Having the right people on the ‘bus’ to motivate each other.
Q. If you could step into the shoes of one businessperson for the day, who would it be and why?
Absolutely no one comes to mind. I’m really happy in my own shoes!
Q. How do you relax?
Walking my two fab rescue dogs Bert and Honey, sharing weekends with my other half and business partner Greg and going to the gym.
Q. What’s your motto?
For 2017 I have already decided that my motto will be ‘Why not!’ – looking at ideas and opportunities and going for them more.
Q. What are your aspirations for the future of your business?
For Network Ireland, it’s to continue to grow our organisation, reaching out to more and more like-minded women and helping drive their personal and professional development.
In the middle of January I hand over the chain to a most formidable lady, Rebecca Harrison, who I know is going to take the organisation to even higher levels
For Fuzion, it’s being able to focus more on the business, now that my year leading Network Ireland will be at an end.
So in particular it will be leading the charge on building the business, particularly in Dublin, which is still a growing market for us.
For Network Ireland, it’s to continue to grow our organisation, reaching out to more and more like-minded women and helping drive their personal and professional development
SOLUTIONS AND SUPPORT
Fuzion is a PR, marketing and design communications agency focused on providing differentiated and integrated solutions.
Network Ireland is a progressive, dynamic organisation supporting the professional and personal development of women. It provides a forum in which new and established business women can develop professional and personal contacts to ensure that their contribution and influence is recognised as a vital force in business and in society.
