By Business & Finance 
Social entrepreneur Emily Duffy takes the Business & Finance 60-second challenge.
Q. What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date? Being able to employ homeless people to produce my invention the ‘Duffily Bag’ for themselves and others in their position. To know that that something I am doing is changing others’ lives is a huge source of pride in my life. Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “You have the ability to do what you want, so use it yet don’t abuse it.” I must credit this to my wonderful mammy who always knows what’s best! Q. If you could step into the shoes of one person for the day, who would it be and why? I’d like to step into the shoes of Michael D Higgins – which wouldn’t be too hard as we’re probably the same size shoe! He has the power to ignite change in this country and influence others to do the same. Q. What was your first job? I worked in my local SuperValu in Limerick. Q. In three words or less, how do you define success? Making an impact. Q. How do you motivate yourself? By seeking inspiration from others Q. How do you relax? There’s nothing better for me than reading a good book or hanging out with my friends. Q. What’s your motto? ‘If not you, then who? If not now, then when?’ Q. What are your aspirations for the future? I hope to go on to university and perhaps get a degree in business so I can develop my career as a social entrepreneur.
I’d like to step into the shoes of Michael D Higgins – which wouldn’t be too hard as we’re probably the same size shoe!
SEE EMILY PLAY
Emily Duffy is an Irish student and social entrepreneur.
Her invention, the Duffily Bag, has garnered much media coverage in recent times.
The Duffily Bag is a specially designed fireproof and waterproof homeless wrap, with reflective strips for increased visibility.
With Emily’s support, Dublin inner-city charity the Mendicity Institution began producing the sleeping bags as part of a work project.
Emily has also been to the refugee camps in Calais to distribute bags and is also an becoming an ambassador for Narrative 4, an organisation aiming to build a community of empathic global citizens who improve the world through the exchange of personal narratives.
