IN THE SPOTLIGHT this week is Lesley McCaughan, owner of Follow Coffee Company, an award-winning Ballymena business offering speciality coffee, delicious food, and baked treats.
What was your first job?
My uncle used to make ornamental bears for the Girls Brigade and other local charities, and I used to paint them when I was 13. I got very good at it and was paid by the bear! Even at that young age it taught me patience and the value of money.
What qualifications do you have?
I left school and did a GNVQ in leisure and tourism at Northern Regional College. Knowing that hospitality was my passion, I then then went on to do an HND in travel and tourism in Portush Catering College
What do you attribute your success to?
My unwavering determination and having had the privilege of working with so many amazing people over the years in my management roles in hospitality. Experience is the biggest lesson in life, and I feel like I have taken the best bits which I have seen huge successes in, into my own business.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
I am always on the go! I'm passionate about what I do and love to get things done. I'm always thinking and planning my next move and have really enjoyed the challenge of opening our first Follow Coffee in Ballymena just before lockdown then our second branch in Portrush at Easter. I am tenacious, extremely hard working and love a challenge and am also not afraid to get my hands dirty when the going gets tough – which it often does.
Who do you look up to in business?
During my career I have worked in many amazing hospitality outlets; none-more so than The Bushmills Inn. Roy, Stella and Alan were such a huge inspiration to me – a real home-grown local business with a passion for excellence and service. I have watched in admiration how my long-term friend from catering college, Sean McLaughlin – who was also one of my managers at the Whitbread Group – took over the Fullerton Arms in Balintoy – and has really made it a fantastic business that is absolutely thriving today.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
I am open and honest person and clearly communicate what our business goals are and what I expect from our team. I am an empathetic manager; I work closely with people and try to inspire and motivate them to do their best.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
The high VAT threshold in our toughest challenge. The 20 per cent threshold is one of the highest in Europe. As a food business our margins are always being squeezed. I would love to see our Executive re-formed as soon as possible and get issues like this on their agenda urgently for the good of the entire economy.
What website or app could you not do without?
Social media is crucial to our business. We use Instagram and Facebook which work very well for us.
What was the last book you read?
It was a fantastic book and I have just passed to my team – “What I Know About Running Coffee Shops” by Colin Harmon. He is a four times Barista champion and it is about his journey when he started to his huge empire of 3FE Coffee in Dublin.
What car do you drive?
I drive a branded Citroën C1 which my team call Charlie One! We also have an original 2014 Land Rover Defender which tows our mobile coffee cart, which we use for outside catering, but it’s more like a driveway collectable as my husband won’t let me drive it!
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I absolutely love country music and have fulfilled a long-term ambition to go to Nashville. My husband Mark and I were booked to go for our joint 40th birthdays, but then Covid happened, and it had to be postponed a few times.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
About 10 years ago I got really into fitness and now I go to a personal trainer three times a week at 6am, I run and have done a few half marathons – as busy mum and business owner of two busy branches and 20 staff this is crucial for my mental and physical health!
