Resilience isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build

Because the truth is, it doesn’t come wrapped up in a perfect bow. It comes in early mornings, late nights and moments where you question everything. It comes in the quiet times too, when the salon is empty, the lights are dimmed, and you’re wondering if all the hard work is actually going anywhere.

So to be recognised like this? It means more than I can put into words. Not just for me, but for what it represents.

Because behind the title of “business owner” is a mammy trying to show her children what’s possible. It’s me standing in my kitchen telling them, “Don’t give up,” even on the days when I’ve felt like doing exactly that myself. And that’s the real reason this matters. I want my children to grow up knowing that life isn’t always smooth, but you keep going anyway. That resilience isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build. Through every setback, every knock, every “this isn’t working” moment. Because believe me, there’s been plenty of those.

This week brought another one of those “pinch me” moments. I’ve been invited into St Eithne’s Primary School to talk to the children about my salon and my journey in business. And honestly, I couldn’t think of a bigger privilege. What makes it even more special? My own wee son will be sitting there listening.

Now whether he’s proud of me or mortified, we’ll soon find out, it’s a full-circle moment. Standing in a classroom, not as the pupil who didn’t always have it all figured out, but as someone who kept going anyway.

Here’s the thing, we put far too much pressure on being the best, the smartest, the most successful. We compare ourselves constantly. Social media doesn’t help either, everyone looks like they’re smashing life 24/7.

But real life? Real life is messy. And success doesn’t look the same for everyone. I think one of the most important lessons we can teach our children and remind ourselves is to focus on reaching our potential, not someone else’s version of it.

Do your best. Show up. Keep going. That’s it.

And speaking of school days, I’ve had a lovely reminder this week of where it all started. My former form teacher, who I’m convinced deserves a medal for putting up with me, is now one of my biggest supporters. Does that mean I was the smartest in the class? Absolutely not. But she saw something. She encouraged me. She believed in me, even when I probably didn’t believe in myself. And that sticks with you. It shapes you.

It reminds you that sometimes all it takes is one person to see your potential for you to start seeing it yourself.

So as I sit here, a finalist for an award I never imagined I’d be part of, I’m not thinking about being the best. I’m thinking about the journey. The resilience. The people who helped me along the way. And the little eyes watching me now, learning not from what I say, but from what I do.

And if there’s one thing I hope they take from it all, it’s this: You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to not give up.

Love Margaret.