Why I Love my Job by Marketing Professional Sharon Noonan 

Marketing professional Sharon Noonan is a chartered marketer who specialises in the food, drink, and hospitality sectors

Why I Love my Job by Marketing Professional Sharon Noonan 

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Ann Mc Donald

Sharon with food and travel blogger Carol Penn-Romine

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Marketing professional Sharon Noonan is originally from Northern Ireland. She is a chartered marketer who specialises in the food, drink, and hospitality sectors. She has over 20 years’ business development experience in a range of industries from all over the world. Sharon has worked with clusters of businesses in the aerospace, tourism, and food sectors providing mentoring, marketing support, and services such as social media, PR, event management and training workshops. She has been involved in judging at the major food and drink awards including Blas na hEireann/The Irish Food Awards and presents the Best Possible Taste food and drink show on West Limerick 102FM.

Can you tell us a little about your childhood?

I grew up in Ballymena, Co Antrim and am the middle of three children. My father’s family has been in the fruit and veg trade for several generations and my parents worked together. They were very innovative and ahead of their time in terms of developing the business and instilled a strong work ethic in my brother, sister, and I.

Are sales and marketing something you’ve always been interested in?

I think it is fair to say that I took the scenic route to my current career.  My parents were determined that my 2 siblings and I would not follow them into the family business and encouraged us to continue on to third-level education. 

Having had my media dreams burst, I chose a degree that left my options open.  When I was studying Business and French at Queen’s University Belfast, my father asked me what I was going to be and my reply was, “I can be anything!”  I wasn’t being arrogant.  I simply had no clue what I wanted to do.

After graduation, I completed an overseas export marketing programme and that brought me into the sales and marketing arena.  I have enjoyed roles in various industries including agriculture, aerospace, and academia before meeting Mr Noonan and relocating from Northern Ireland to his native West Limerick.  

What is it like having your own marketing consultancy?

I always wanted to be my own boss but didn’t know what kind of business I wanted to have.  My husband encouraged me to start my consultancy in 2013 and without his steadfast belief in me, I would never have done it.  It is exciting and challenging in equal measures and I welcome the freedom to work flexible family-friendly hours as I have 2 children who are both at primary school.

Tell me a little about your job and what you love most about it?

There is great variety in what I do and no two days are the same.  From doing the PR for a beautiful boutique country house hotel to creating engaging social media plans to securing a screen test for TV to curating food festival content, MC-ing cookery demos and panel discussions, event management, facilitating collaborations, mentoring, podcasting and much more in between,  I love that there is endless opportunity for creativity and pitching innovative (and sometimes MAD) ideas to existing and potential clients.

Why did you decide to start your radio show, Best Possible Taste?

When I was at school I did work experience at a radio station in Belfast.  I was told my accent wasn’t suitable for the airwaves so I abandoned my plans to pursue a career in media.  Fast forward over 2 decades and I saw an ad in the local paper for the community radio station.  My plan was to learn the technical side and work behind the scenes.  However, I was encouraged to host a programme.  Around the same time I was invited to judge at the Great Taste Awards and met broadcaster Nigel Barden. This sparked the idea of doing a food/drink programme and The Best Possible Taste was born.

What have been some challenges in your career?

The downside of having a strong work ethic instilled in you from an early age and having your own business is not knowing when to switch off – not very conducive to a healthy work-life balance.  I love Sunday nights and look forward to getting back to work on Monday mornings!

Are there any work achievements that you’re particularly proud of?

Very early in my career I was tasked with writing a briefing document for a MP in advance of an event.  I was given no direction and had nothing to benchmark against so had to wing it using my own judgment. The day after it was submitted there was a brisk call from the MP’s office demanding to know who had written it and I was quaking in my boots.  However, the senior government official was calling in person to compliment me and said he was compelled to speak to me personally to tell me that it was the best and most comprehensive briefing document he had ever received.

What advice do you have for anyone who wants to get into marketing?

My top tip is to reach for the stars and be ambitious but have a plan. Look at job vacancies for senior marketing roles that you would like to see yourself in in the future and use LinkedIn to research individuals in positions that you aspire to.  Examine their qualifications, work experience and skillsets and develop a strategy to arm yourself with the knowledge and expertise to start your journey to the top.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

My strategy to grow and develop my business is intrinsically linked to collaboration.  Working with other like-minded consultants has opened a number of doors for me and allowed my business to flourish despite the challenges of the global pandemic.

In terms of the Best Possible Taste radio show, one of my 2022 goals is to work with new and upcoming talent so if anyone reading wants to get involved, please get in touch!

What’s your favourite thing about Limerick?

There is always someone happy to help when asked.

For more about marketing professional Sharon Noonan go HERE 

For more Why I Love my Job stories go HERE 

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