Self Made with Emma-Jane Leeson
Tell me a bit about yourself and your self-made company.
The Johnny Magory Company stems back to my childhood and my Da telling us stories about Johnny McGory. Myself and my sisters and brother couldn’t wait to go to bed at night for Mammy to read us a story and for Daddy to make up one, usually about whatever harm and devilment we had got up to that day! I scribbled down my first stories about Johnny Magory when I had my daughter Lily-Marie on one of those many sleepless nights! Those stories remained in a biscuit tin in the wardrobe for 12 years after until my Mam pushed me to ‘do something with those stories’ approaching my 30th birthday. I self-published the first story purely for friends and family not knowing anyone else knew the story about Johnny Magory. It grew and gained momentum over the years as I continued to self-publish while in full time employment in some of Ireland’s biggest corporate companies. I’m currently 34 years old and married to Dave with our three children Lily-Marie (16), Eibhean (13) and Layla (6). We live in the beautiful Ballynafagh, outside of Prosperous, Co. Kildare with our dog Freddie and two cats.
What made you take the bold step of setting up Johnny Magory World?
My entire family is self-employed and I always knew that I wanted to run my own business someday. The books were growing in popularity and my girls were starting in both junior infants and junior cert year. My job in Kerry Foods was wonderful and challenging but I was away from home more than I liked especially at that key time in their lives. I approached the Local Enterprise Office in Kildare with my plans and it swiftly just grew legs. I was on a ‘start your own business’ course and shortlisted for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur emerging business category before I knew it. I left full time employment in Kerry Foods April of 2019 with a part time HR Business Partner consultancy role secured in O’Brien Fine Foods. The business was accepted onto Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Phase 2 programme which enabled me to go full time into the business. That was really the game changer and thankfully I haven’t looked back since.
Can you tell readers a bit more about your recent book 'Johnny Magory and the Irish Legends, and the writing process?
This is definitely one of my most memorable experiences as I had the honour of a wonderful co-writer Sean Óg Moore helping me. At the age of 12, we’ve been lifelong friends and decided to set up weekly zoom calls during lockdown to do a book on both of our favourite topic, Irish legends. We had buckets of fun researching our favourite legends, plotting out the story and then ultimately piecing it all together into rhymes. We had initially wanted Johnny Magory and the family to visit every county and tell the tale of a legend within it, but we had to tune it down for the sake of it being a 24 page picture book, like the other 4 in the series. We settled on a visit to every province for the ultimate staycation travelling in our beloved Volkswagen Camper van Tizzy. Starting in Kildare with Finegas and the salmon of knowledge, moving north to the Giants Causeway with Fionn MacCumhaill, then westward to Queen Medh in Sligo, southbound along the Wild Atlantic Way to Kerry with Oisín and Niamh and finishing at the Hill of Tara with Brian Boru. It’s a trip that we’re hoping and praying we can actually do next summer, albeit I’m not sure how long it would take our old Tizzy girl to do it in real life!!
What have been your highlights to date?
Growing the team, both in house and contractors, has been amazing and has directly attributed to the business surviving to date. When Don Conroy agreed to do a book with me last year that was definitely a pinch myself moment! Telling stories at Electric Picnic and Kaleidoscope last year was just amazing and launching our sustainable toys this year felt fantastic. I’m grateful for every opportunity that’s come our way.
What are the pros and cons of being self-employed?
Having the opportunity to work on and drive your passions is the greatest pro in my eyes. I love the outdoors and knowing that my stories inspire children to get outside exploring and learning about our amazing wildlife and heritage means more than words can convey. Somebody once said to me ‘the best part of being self-employed is getting to chose the 16 hours you work a day’... I laughed at first but it’s true when you are so invested and passionate about what you do, there’s really no cut-off between work and life like the way there is when you work for somebody else. To be honest, though, Johnny Magory is like another child in our family now so for the most part, it doesn’t feel like ‘work’.
Do you have any words of wisdom for those wanting to start their own company?
Go for it! Believe in yourself, get your plans out of your head onto paper and just don’t look back. I have our businesses purpose printed and stuck up in clear view of my desk every day “Our purpose is to get children outside exploring and connecting with nature”. Keep yours in sight and make sure everything you do helps it, even a little. Remember there are so many supports out there, stick your hand up for everything and keep smiling!
What are your future plans?
We’ve got our next books in the pipeline and it is being illustrated by the unbelievably talented Kim Shaw from Kilkenny. We’ve also begun working on the TV animation series in partnership with Elk Studios in Dundalk which is more fun than I ever imagined. The plan remains the same as day one though, inspire children across the world to get outdoors and learn about our unique Irish wildlife and heritage through lots of craic and grá.
Lastly, do you have a life motto?
Have as much fun as possible and enjoy every second.
For more information check our the website - https://www.johnnymagory.com/