Starting your own business through industry experience
Siobhan Lavery is an instrumental figure in the Irish digital sales and marketing industry. She is known for driving the digital agenda and has a great track record in empowering Ireland’s leading brands. She has worked with brands from all sectors providing digital strategies.
Siobhan has over 20 years of business, commercial, strategic and leadership experience. She had a fundamental role in the growth of digital agency ICAN. She expanded the business and worked closely with clients to deliver results so that many remained loyal and long term clients. During Siobhan’s 7 years as Managing Director, ICAN was awarded Agency of the Year four times. ICAN is well known for creative, innovative and results-driven work.
Siobhan now owns and runs SL Consulting. She works with agencies and brands; assessing their business needs and providing practical action-oriented support and guidance. SL Consulting provides agency evaluation, business generation, pitch advice, pitch consultations, advertising and marketing consultations and digital training.
The importance of expertise in your industry
SL Consulting started organically. Siobhan wasn’t planning on starting a business after being Managing Director in ICAN. She wanted to take a step back and spend more time with her family after all the years she spent working.
However, whilst being at home she began receiving calls regarding consulting. As time progressed and enquiries became much more frequent, Siobhan spot an opportunity to turn her consultancy into a business. She had an abundance of expertise from being a Managing Director and it transformed into her helping others.
Hiring an accountant to complement your skillset
When Siobhan started her business, she didn’t have an accountant. Siobhan has a lot of experience being a managing director and she was given this role because of her expertise in her sector. As an employee, you are not exposed to all aspects of running a business, such as the accountancy side. Usually there is someone else taking care of this part. So Siobhan recognised that accountancy was an area she was not familiar with and decided she needed professional help.
Siobhan registered as a Sole Trader so she could get up and running as quickly as possible and start invoicing her clients.
SL Consulting has diverse clients and has worked with major brands such as Spotlight Oral Care, ShowHouz, daa, Permanent TSB, energy communications, Each&Other, Sing!, Standard Life and Ve. You can learn more about SL Consulting and see Siobhan’s work on her website. Accountant Online proudly showcases SL Consultancy as on of our clients and hope that Siobhan’s story will encourage you to start your own business in Ireland.
