Successful female CEO encourages women in family business to be confident

Be confident but don't be afraid to show humility was one of Ms. Vicki O'Toole's main messages to women in family business at the CFB's latest event. Vicki is CEO of JJ. O'Toole's, Ireland's leading packaging supplier which is 102 year old family business based in Limerick. She spoke candidly about her own entry into the family business that her husband, Fergus, owned and run until he became suddenly ill . Her entry into the business was tumultuous and she struggled to gain legitimacy as the newly appointed owner and company leader. However, she overcame this through hard work, patience and a bit of luck. 

"If we can be confident of our own ability then we can handle any barriers including gender bias" she said. 

But Vicki turned the company around financially with their premium range of bespoke carrier bags. "Luckily, the clients believed in what we were doing and followed suit", explains Vicki. The company now supplies to high profile retailers such as Selfridges, Brown Thomas, Newbridge silverware and Avoca. 

Professor Maura McAdam hosted the event, which is the first of a women in family business series. She spoke of how the domestic roles of women often align to the professional roles they assume in the family business, e.g., chief emotional officer, peace keeper. Prof McAdam encouraged those present to be gender aware by intentionally looking for unconscious bias, creating a climate of meritocracy, and becoming role models for other women in lower level positions. 

Please find photos of the event here. Please find slides of the event here,