#FollowFionasFoodForLife
Fiona Staunton is the founder of Fiona's Food for Life, where she has combined her skills as a Ballymaloe-trained Chef with her degree in education to start a company who’s mission it is to educate you about food. In October 2022 Fiona started SheGenerate2.0 with AwakenHub along with 31 other female founders, all of which we wouldn’t be able to do without all of our wonderful supporters.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Fiona's journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. We'll explore the inspiration behind her business, the challenges she has faced as an entrepreneur, and her plans for the future. Whether you're a health enthusiast or simply looking to learn more about what it takes to launch a successful business in the food industry, you should #FollowFionasFoodForLife - So let's dive in and get inspired by Fiona's story!
To get us started - how would you describe yourself in 6 words or less?
Highly organised, confident, kind, action taker, connector
What prompted you to start your business?
I love solving peoples problems, particularly around food. With an induced menopause due to breast cancer at 45 I had to rely on food to help relieve my symptoms, now I want to help others from the onset of perimenopause to thrive and age well with ease.
Tell us a little bit more about you?
I am a happily married, mother of two, dog lover & all round active person. I was born in Dublin, got my degree in home Economics teaching from Trinity College Dublin in 1997, then trained and worked in Ballymaloe house in Cork before setting up my own catering business. I lived in Australia for 8 years where I loved the lifestyle but missed family. I am back living in Dublin since 2008. I enjoy sailing and being outdoors. I spent my university summers teaching sailing in Ireland and USA. I have done a huge amount of voluntary work to date and am now fully focused on my business & my own health.
Fill us in on your female founder journey.
It has felt lonely at times. You question yourself a lot, highs are great, lows can be really tough. Having an accountability buddy and a mastermind group to support me have been super. I love female networks and really value the connections and support and I then help others beginning out. It can be so challenging when wearing so many hats and not have the funds to outsource tasks and lighten the load to concentrate on what I am good at. I feel I have been dapping my toe in the water for a long time, now I need to have the confidence to go out of my depth and go far.
How did you hear about AwakenHub and what prompted you to apply for SheGenerate?
Breeda Berminghan of Midlife Women Rock Project first introduced me to AwakenHub & SheGenerate, she suggested I join the programme as she had got so much from it and developed her social enterprise and business from it in 2022.
What have you gotten out of the SheGenerate process?
I have made many connections, spoken on stage at The Abbey Theatre, developed my business plan, and looked at my business from a more holistic viewpoint. I feel more accountable for certain parts of my business and I feel a lot more connected with business women in Ireland.
What does success look like to you - in 12 months and in 5 years?
I will have my menopause book published, a self paced menopause cooking programme established and will travel, connect and support women all over the world through my real time cooking demos and talks in person and on TV & radio. I will inspire and help millions of women world wide who care about what they eat, want to cook and want to thrive through menopause. Fiona Staunton is the go to person for women in midlife to achieve success in the kitchen and thrive through menopause.
SheGenerate is only a small part of AwakenHub - now that you have the community's attention - what can we/they do for you?
Have a 121 with me, see what I can do to help you and those around you and then spread the word and introduce others who can benefit from my services and content.
As a founder - what are your non-negotiables?
I am only learning that now, set boundaries, look after yourself, be kind to yourself but most of all take time and have fun (I can write that here but I need to live that more!) Find calm, joy, gratitude and abundance every day.
#followfionasfoodforlife
