By Business & Finance 
Patrick Hogan, Managing Director, SEA BOX EMEA (Photo: Michael O’Sullivan)
Patrick Hogan, Managing Director, SEA BOX EMEA, discusses work maximisation, inspiration and a simple motto.
My first job was working in the finance and office for an electronic department store while I was in transition year, which definitely gave me my first taste in business. Being appointed Managing Director of SEA BOX EMEA at the age of 30. Coming from the retail and operations sector for almost 15 years it was the next step in my career path. Stepping into an industry that was foreign to me in the intermodal concepts and ISO containers, which now leads into modular construction. Happiness. It’s not about the hours you work, it’s about what you do in those hours you work. Going in working 9-5 on a regular basis wasn’t my thing. Maximising each hour and not finishing until the job was done. Positivity is the best motivation, I feel, for both myself and staff. Being open to all staff, listening and having no staff member afraid or worried to ask any question. I have high regard for many Irish entrepreneurs, from DC Cahalane and of course Cork’s own Teamwork founders, Peter Coppinger and Dan Mackey. The person I find most inspiring would be Pat Phelan, who has battled for years through business and inspired others from his stories and becoming an international tech entrepreneur. That’s why I would love to step into his shoes for one day in the hope his entrepreneurial spirit would rub off on me. I somewhat find it difficult to switch off by simply sitting watching TV, etc. In the last year I’ve spent my spare time creating a training simulator for the Irish emergency services. Think it. Build it. – the marketing slogan for our company, which I’ve learned over the last couple of years, that anything is possible – if it’s clearly thought out it can be done! After purchasing a mechanical engineering company last year and creating a new brand in the energy sector based in Cork, it would be to take this to a global stage.Q. What was your first job?
Q. What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
Q. In three words or less, how do you define success?
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Q. How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
Q. If you could step into the shoes of one business person for a day, who would it be and why?
Q. How do you relax?
Q. What’s your motto?
Q. What are your aspirations for the future of the business?
Think it. Build it. – the marketing slogan for our company, which I’ve learned over the last couple of years, that anything is possible – if it’s clearly thought out it can be done!
SEA BOX, Inc. specialises in the design, custom modification and manufacturing of ISO shipping and storage containers, refrigerated containers, containerised shelters, modular building systems and related parts and accessories for purchase or lease.
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