Cork personal shopper: '100% of my clients hate shopping...that's where I come in'

Talking to ‘the boss’ of Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Justin Young, he says the most important person is always the customer.

“That is our policy here at Mahon Point,” he adds.

Open 20 years this month, two important women based there are involved in keeping the customers more than happy.

“I absolutely love meeting clients who want my help in choosing outfits and accessories for them,” says Dee Kelly Morgan, who is a mother of four.

A personal shopper, Dee has been in the business for 28 years and has worked at Mahon Point for 17 years.

The free service Dee offers is a very popular one.

“I am fortunate that, since working for fashion stylist and Donegal tailor, Tony Boeg, I have a huge understanding of fabrics and what suits people, bringing out their personality and own sense of style,” she says.

“I worked in fashion at Roches Stores and Brown Thomas Cork as well.”

Dee matches her clients’ clothes to their lifestyle, or indeed their new lifestyle.

“Going back to work after maternity leave is a big one,” says Dee.

“Figure-wise and fashion-choice wise, the woman is often unsure of the look she wants to achieve. Building confidence and offering choices is a big part of my job.”

Dee can size you up at a glance.

“I can take in shape, height, posture, eye colour, hairstyle, and complexion in a heartbeat,” says Dee.

“Then I know exactly where to start from the inside out.

“It’s like a gift I have.”

Dee wants to do more than dress her clients, who come back to her for advice again and again.

“I want to give them a genuine boost,” she says.

She wants to cheer them up.

“Often, I get clients who have been through a cancer journey, and they want to reinvent themselves now they are not sick anymore. When we go shopping together, I like to think I am making a difference, making their day, cheering them up.

“Arc House refers people here for a shopping trip. We have a good time and good fun!”

Dee lets me in on a secret.

“100% of my clients hate shopping!” she laughs.

“They are not fashionistas, and they see shopping for clothes as a chore. That’s where I come in.”

Dee proves to be a great asset to those who dislike shopping or who haven’t embraced online shopping.

“Some people don’t have the time or the inclination to shop for clothes,” she says.

“Others are not interested in shopping for clothes online.”

Some people are inclined to avail of Dee’s personal service for years.

“After the mum has chosen outfits for going back to work, it could be some time before I see her again,” she says.

Dee does like getting re-acquainted with former clients.

“When we re-meet, it is because her son or daughter is getting Communion, and mum wants to look well for the occasion. Mother-of the-bride is still a big one. Many people use the service for an upcoming important occasion, like graduation, an engagement party, day after the wedding, for instance.”

Dee’s clients don’t have to be big spenders. And they don’t all fit into the one-size-fits-all bracket.

“I concentrate on stylish, flattering, budget-friendly clothes,” says Dee.

“Not everyone wants to wear high-end fashion labels. I’ve often dressed women from Zara who end up with a size 12 top, a size 14 trousers and a size 16 jacket.”

Dee likes building relationships.

“We both have an eye on the prize,” she says.

Do they shop till they drop?

Dee laughs.

“Women often hang out at Mahon Point to have coffee or to shop while their child enjoys an hour or two at Ready Steady Play, a safe and secure childcare service focused on play and fun.”

Incorporating a free shopping fashion advice service is the icing on the cake.

What about good shapely underwear, as Dee advises people from the inside out?

Dee frowns, which is unusual for her.

“I have seen people wearing grey panties with the elastic gone,” she says.

“And really, you can get reasonably good-wearing, pretty briefs in Tesco. They do shapewear too.”

How to avoid the ‘sausage’ effect of shapewear?

“I’m not a fan of shapewear,” says Dee. “It is uncomfortable and really doesn’t do anyone any favours. Comfortable seam-free underwear, and a good-fitting bra, should take a woman anywhere.”

Dee gets a lot of job satisfaction. She gives herself credit for the service she offers.

“I love my job, and I give myself credit because I get a lot of repeat business which means the clients are happy.”

Dee’s reputation precedes her.

“Referrals through word of mouth bring me in a lot of business also,” she says.

Dee likes making people happy.

“A new mum might not have regained her sense of style, and I love helping her out,” she says.

“People who have been sick or who have lost weight love coming to me. They want a new fashionable look that compliments them and makes them feel good. Their integrity is guarded, and I feel it is a privilege that people hand over their trust to me.”

I move on to meet another stalwart of Mahon Point, Eileen O’Brien, who keeps her customers at McDonald’s food outlet in the centre happy and satisfied.

“I am here since the day McDonald’s opened here at Mahon Point,” says Eileen.

“I worked and managed a McDonald’s food outlet in the UK before returning home in 2002.

“When I went for the interview, I was employed immediately as manager.”

Eileen likes being ‘one of the gang’ at McDonald’s Mahon Point.

“I am the oldest person working there and that keeps me young,” she says.

Why is that?

“Well, the younger staff keep coming up with new phrases, they keep you laughing.”

They are kept busy too.

“We are busier than ever before,” Eileen says.

“Even though there are more food options to be had here over the years, I have 39 staff and need more.”

Who keeps the staff at McDonald’s so busy?

“Our customers vary in age, typically from 17 to mid-50s.

“We serve children, parents, college students, shoppers, Mahon Point staff, matchgoers, visitors to Cork, the list goes on.”

It is often party time at McDonald’s Mahon Point.

“We help celebrate happy occasions, from birthday parties, communion parties, engagement parties, christenings, and winning teams. It’s all good.”

Eileen and her staff are always at hand to lend a helping hand, no matter what.

“Most of us are trained in First Aid,” she says.

“And when a man recently collapsed suffering cardiac arrest here, we knew what to do until the medics arrived. He came back to thank us when he felt better.”

Eileen is full-on in her role as manager for McDonald’s Mahon Point.

“I co-ordinate roles,” she says. “I manage the schedule. I manage deliveries. I can be on the till and sometimes on the grill.”

The grill is not Eileen’s favourite place to be when at work.

Why is that?

“I don’t like being in the kitchen,” Eileen adds.

“My husband does all the cooking at home! He worked as a chef.”

Eileen is a hard worker.

“There are often horrendous queues for food,” she says.

“Bus-loads of school kids often arrive. Whether it is four customers or 40 customers, we have the same number of staff.”

Why has McDonald’s at Mahon Point proved so enduringly popular?

“Often it is a random decision to come here,” says Eileen.

“For shoppers, everything is under the one roof where they can be fed and watered. The ease of free parking here is a big thing. That convenience brings people to Mahon Point.”

Eileen is well-known at her place of work.

“If the girls in Tesco don’t see me for two days, they worry about me!” she says.

There is no need to worry about Eileen. Like Dee, her colleague and friend, she’s got it covered!