My Career: Personality is everything in this job, says English Market trader

Name: Margo Ann Murphy

Age: 55

Lives: Macroom, Co. Cork

Job title: English Market trader and owner of The Roughty Foodie

Salary bracket: €40k

Education background: I went to school in St Patrick’s on Gardiners Hill. I left school after the inter-cert but have very fond memories of my time there.

I didn’t complete a Leaving Certificate, nor did I go to college.

Hobbies: I love walking my dogs, Rhubarb and Ginger, on the beaches of south-west Kerry, shooting amateur videos of my produce, food photography, picking blackberries, and spending time in the kitchen.

Describe your job in five words: Busy, a passion project, never-ending, interactive.

Describe yourself in five words: Vivacious, happy, thinks and laughs out loud.

Personality needed for this kind of work? Someone who is not too worried about the thoughts of others. Personality is everything. 

Maybe it’s no harm to be a bit nuts!

How long are you doing this job? The business is there since the 1960s, but I reinvented the family business in the last 12 years.

I expanded by opening a second stall in the market called Roughty’s Little Sister after the Covid-19 pandemic, selling flowers, chocolates and gifts.

How did you get this job? I grew up in a family of shopkeepers and bookmakers. I loved home economics in school and always had a great interest in food.

My dad, Michael F, built the business up back in the 1960s and he taught me everything I know today. My mom Peggy was a fantastic woman in the kitchen too.

My dad was my greatest teacher - he gave me the tools to get me where I am today.

Do you need particular qualifications or experience? There is a lot to be learnt from others in this field. “Study the winners and it will take you far”, as my father would have always said to me!

Describe a day at work: I run with the seasons so the selling changes all year round, like West Cork strawberries, West Cork flowers and making homemade jam in summer.

Flowers and Irish handmade chocolates are a focus for Valentines and Easter and every occasion on the yearly calendar!

That is, of course, along with working closely with Santa Claus at Christmas time as we ship food boxes nationwide!

How many hours do you work a week? Maybe 40, but I never switch off!

What do you wear to work? Comfortable, causal, warm and colourful clothes.

Is your industry male or female dominated? I would say more female-dominated.

Does this affect you in any particular way? Not at all, it inspires me!

Is your job stressful? How? Rate it on a scale of 1-10: It can be, but in a good way most of the time – 11!

Do you work with others or on your own? I work with a great team. Stephen is my right hand man and I also work with some great college students who work part-time.

When do you plan to retire or give up working? I love my job too much. I would like to step back at some point but never retire.

Best bits: It would have to be my amazing customers, my fellow English Market traders are my tribe, and also the products I work with.

Worst bits: None!

Advice to those who want your job? Remember that 2+2=4 in business and always believe in yourself.

See https://www.theroughtyfoodie.com/

If you would like to feature in My Career in our Women on Wednesday please email elaine.duggan@theecho.ie