By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Caroline Crowley, Founder, Charles P. Crowley & Company.
Caroline Crowley is the founder of Charles P. Crowley & Co (CPC), providing outsourced technical support to accountancy, tax firms, and public bodies in the UK and Ireland. Living in West Cork, she also founded West Cork Business, a networking group for existing and upcoming businesses.
I worked in a boutique in Cork while at University. It was an eye-opening experience to the rewards and challenges of running a small business. I always had an interest in entrepreneurship and business, and I felt that as an accountant, you would be an integral part of the running of any business. I took a risk and moved from London to West Cork in 2015. I won the IBYE Best Established Business category in Cork Northwest that year and currently work on supporting a niche of individuals with their Irish and UK Tax requirements. I now have the opportunity to work with clients in the UK from our premises in West Cork. I recently engaged the services of a business and strategy coach, and I now find her services invaluable. I only wish I had reached out for business coaching earlier in my career. Success to me is being satisfied with my professional and personal achievements. This means doing work that I enjoy and find fulfilling, which challenges me but also allows me a balance to spend time with my children. You are only ever as good as the team you build, so be a talent magnet and surround yourself with the best and the brightest. We ensure they have a good work-life balance; we offer regular training opportunities, and we work together with their personal career aspirations in mind. I have a positive mindset in general. Adversity often presents opportunities we might otherwise miss. I remind myself that we can learn the most important lessons in life and build resilience during tough times. There will always be challenges in business, but you need to have confidence that you can find solutions. Fortunately, I live in West Cork and am surrounded by beautiful beaches. I love sea swimming, running, or just spending time in nature. We hope to grow the business further and to be leaders in providing tax advice to individuals with tax concerns in both the UK and Ireland.What was your first job?
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
Career-wise, would you do anything differently?
In one sentence, how would you define success?
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
How do you handle adversity?
How do you relax?
What are your aspirations for the future of the business?
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