By Business & Finance 
Ronan Conlon is Site Lead at Rent the Runway, Galway, an ecommerce resource specialising in the rental of bespoke fashions.
What was your first job?
Working in a bar in my hometown of Sligo. I would recommend it to anyone. You learn about what hard work is and how to think on your feet. Most importantly, interacting with the public was an invaluable experience that has stood to me.
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
I always enjoyed a technical challenge growing up. Starting my career at the dawn of a huge technical revolution was, in hindsight, an amazing experience.
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
Being Site Lead for a great team that is passionate about our customers is a real privilege. I enjoy every day I get to work at Rent the Runway, keeping the culture and consumer-focus going, while working with great tech and really interesting challenges.
Career wise, would you do anything differently?
No regrets. I’m passionate about life-long learning and continuous improvement, so I always prefer to look forward!
In one sentence, how would you define success?
I love achieving big goals and seeing them have a real world impact, so success is that feeling when hard work and dedication pays off.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible people, who influenced how I think and approach work. My best friend always says that it’s your attitude, not your aptitude, that will determine your altitude. I think that’s solid advice!
How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
I always go back to the work itself. If I can create a climate where there’s a solid purpose, there are challenges that drive healthy growth and there’s space to achieve goals, then a kind of intrinsic motivation can naturally emerge.
How do you handle adversity?
My own style has been influenced by Daniel Goldman and his work on leadership. Knowing when it’s appropriate to be assertive and shift gears is really important, while also being empathetic and managing yourself.
How do you relax?
I collect old records, so sitting back in the evening and hearing the soothing crackle of vinyl is my idea of switching off.
What are your aspirations for the future of the business?
Rent the Runway’s success is only getting started! I’m really excited about where our business is going, the opportunity is huge. We’re going to support that journey with our incredible talent in Galway, who know how to deliver amazing work while having fun at the same time. Long may that continue!
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