60 Seconds with Francesca Fennell

Monday 2 December 2024

Tell us about your role and your organisation.
I run a corporate confectionery gift boxing business, Joob Joobs, currently servicing 4- and 5-star hotels and other sectors. In the New Year, I will be opening my retail shop on a very special road—Grafton Street, Dublin—which I couldn’t be more excited about. I also ran Northern Ireland’s largest sweet shop, where I hosted birthday parties every weekend. That was my two-year concept store, and now I am moving on to my goal from day one: having a shop on Grafton Street.

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far.
I trained as cabin crew at 19, earned my private pilot licence at around 21–22, and also learned to speedboat. In the middle of that, I created a car accessories business online for Europe and Asia, but then decided I wanted to add something new to high streets. I opened the largest sweet shop in Belfast as I hadn’t yet secured my dream unit. I ran that for two years and am now moving on to open a retail shop on Grafton Street, Dublin. My own confectionery brand is currently on hold, but I plan to revisit it. For the past two years, I’ve also been learning about crypto and stock market trading, which has become a new “hobby.”

What is one skill that helps you most in your role?
Knowing who you are and recognising your own value.

What advice do you have for women in your industry?
I love the topic of philosophy, so I’d recommend looking up anything by Rumi! As a woman, just know that no matter what you say or how you dress, you’ll be judged differently—especially if, like me, you start doing business in your 20s. Don’t waste too much time worrying about that. In business, people often dislike decisive, headstrong women and may create false narratives to make you look bad—just look the other way.

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead for your organisation that you can share with us?
I’m opening my shop on the best retail street in Ireland, which is an incredible opportunity for me.

Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?
I think Howard Schultz is one of the best business leaders—seeing how he started and went on to create Starbucks is truly inspiring.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?
I enjoy meditation music—Tibetan bowls are lovely.

What’s your favourite break-time snack?
I have to say my own range of chocolate bars!

How can your fellow Women in Business members keep up to date with you and your organisation?
I prefer real-life meetings over social media.

Monday 2 December 2024