Mark was born in Stillorgan Co. Dublin, the youngest in a family of six and spent most of his early years playing sports especially football. He attended Oatlands college in Stillorgan and received his third level qualifications is business and computers. After College mark developed his sales skills in the telecommunications Industry in Dublin and later moved to Sydney, Australia where he headed up teams of telesales agents. This is where he really began to develop his flair for management and entrepreneurship.
Mark decided to return home to Ireland in 2010 to take over the directorship of his Family warehousing business and opportunity arose when two of his units became available, rather than pursue the route of finding new tenants during the global recession Mark decided to use these offices and warehouses to start his own business and from this cheapstorage.ie was born.
The company has recently expanded into a removals service which offers customers an extra security knowing that their goods will be handled with care and consideration and of course offering that personal touch throughout the entire storage process. In 2012 mark plans to expand the business more by offering a service to and from the UK and also expanding into national wide storage units. Mark and his company have seen exceptional growth during this economic downturn yet has not compromised his high standards of customer loyalty and service.
Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?
A professional footballer
Q: What was your first job?
A Kitchen Porter in a Chinese Takeaway.
Q: And your first paycheque?
30 pounds and a bag of chicken balls.
Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?
A few when I was teenager.
Q: When did you start your present job?
I set up cheapstorage.ie over 2 years ago.
Q: What is the best thing about your job?
Having the opportunity to develop my own ideas and the ability to challenge myself daily.
Q: Have you achieved anything that you once thought you could not pull off?
Starting up business during the height of the recession was difficult and there were time when I was worried, but with hard work and dedication we got our name out there and business is now booming.
Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’?
As more work comes in I need to delegate the operational side of the business to others and I tend to focus more on business development and management end of things.
Q: What’s currently on your desk that shouldn’t be?
Doing my month end accounts, so lots of paper work.
Q: Is there anything about yourself that you would like to set the record straight on?
I think one of my best traits in business and personally is that I’m an honest guy so I really would have no need to.
Q: What sport do you follow?
Soccer mainly, started watching a bit of Mma recently.
Q: What sport can you play?
I currently play for Mount Merrion Fc
Q: What habits would you like to lose?
None, I think, but my wife would like me to tidy up more!!!
Q: At the moment, what are you looking forward to?
A number of good friends of ours are getting married this year so I am looking forward to celebrating with all of them.
Q: What is you guilty music, TV or movie pleasure?
Music and its has to be a band called “The National”
Q: Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward?
Neither
Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/iPad?
The National, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Arcade Fire, Johnny Cash and lots of 80’s music.
Q: Who do you follow on twitter/facebook?
A variety of Irish businesses.
Q: What was your last tweet/facebook status?
A picture I put up of Blarney Castle on a trip to Cork.
Q: Describe your dream meal?
Anything without mayonnaise with the company of my family and friends!!
Q: Who would you like to have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?
Dame Edna
Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?
In antique shops.
Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?
6
Q: What was your worst holiday experience?
Food Poisoning in Thailand so that wasn’t nice.
Q: Describe your dream holiday?
I’d like to travel around Canada and do lots of outdoor activities.
Q: What would be your dream job?
Professional Footballer
Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?
Relax and travel with my wife.
