Catherine Breen

• Company: healthdirectory.ie
• Industry: Internet service
• Website: www.healthdirectory.ie
• Location: New Ross Co.Wexford.

Catherine Breen launched her business healthdirectory.ie in October 2010 after her professional experience as a therapist helped her spot a need in the industry for an all inclusive directory of health therapists.

Healthdirectory.ie is an online contact directory for the public to find conventional and complementary therapists and health related services in their locality around Ireland. This is free for the public with minimal cost to the professional to list their business on it.

How did you realise that there was a need for a service of this type?

From working as a therapist myself in a local hotel for 8 yrs I noticed the residents and locals were finding it very hard to find the contact details of therapists or health related service in their own locality.

I was constantly asked by the residents after doing a lovely treatment for them if I knew someone in their area that do that particular therapy, so that they could continue with their treatment at home. I would only be able suggest to them that they ask at their local health food shop or look it up on the golden pages. Their response was always that they found the golden pages didn’t have the information they were looking for.

I realised there was a niche in the market to have all health issues and therapists on the one website. I then contacted a website designer and with his expertise and hard work over the next few months I launched the business in October 2010. Finding that I would also qualify for grant aid to start the business from both the Wexford Enterprise and Local Development Boards I was able to get it going. The whole process took me from January - October 2010 and I am now up and running 6 months.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

I received an award for the most innovative idea while doing a business course with the First Steps Programme in December ‘10. I also feel I have achieved something when I get compliments from the public about how good it is to see one directory that deals with all health issues and that they would use it. I often get these from the public and this gives me a lift, reiterates my idea and the need for such a service.

What are your plans for the future?

My primary concentration for the site is to increase the number of professionals listed on the directory so that the public to have a choice of therapists in their own area.

In the future I would like to have an online therapist or doctor who would be able to give the public information or advice on small issues. My main plan for the future is to make healthdirectory.ie into a household name!

Do you use any Social Media?

Yes-Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter but have to be honest and say I haven’t gained any customers from any of them. I feel the jury is out on Facebook as I really don’t see the advantage of Healthdirectory.ie being on it except for the free advertising of any special offers I would have to put on it. If there is anyone that can tell me different I would love to hear it! I use them at the moment to keep the name out there as all exposure is good exposure.

Who do you look up to in business?

I have great admiration for many business people from Michael O Leary of Ryan Air to Gavin Duffy from the Dragons’ Den series. I watch them and take note of how they carry themselves in business. I was very lucky to talk with Gavin Duffy at the Irish Beauty Trade Show in Dublin recently and found his demeanour just so inspirational. He came across so down to earth and yet very driven and focused in his attitude. I also had the great experience of listening to Sean Gallagher, also from the Dragons Den series, giving a talk in Cork on entrepreneurship and could have listened to him talk all day, another inspirational man. One quote he made was that entrepreneurs are a ‘tribe’ which I too believe we are. Even though we see these people as very successful people they are as human as you or I are, and have had their ups and downs getting to where they are now.

What is your advice for other entrepreneurs?

Not to be afraid of going for it and to be able sell yourself as well as your product or service. The good days far out way the bad days as you will have plenty of both. Clinching that sale is one good feeling.