Twenty questions with Rachael Hockmeyer

Job title Director

Company Hockmeyer Motors Ltd

01 Career history: My family bought our current site in 1972, and I worked there as a teenager. After University I worked as a branch manager for Stead and Simpson and then as a store manager for Argos before returning to the business in 1999 with my husband Christian.

02 Dream job: I would love to be a milliner.

03 What do you drive: I have just bought a Toyota CHR Hybrid.

04 What would you like to drive: It would have to be the DB9 Bond Edition.

05 Possessions you couldn’t live without: I have three antique sewing machines that I have inherited which hold a lot of sentimental value for me.

06 Perfect day: Anything with good food and wine, good music and good company.

07 Favourite read: My favourite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, but I enjoy a good thriller.

08 Favourite team: I am patriotic so I like to support our national teams.

09 Thing you most admire: It would have to be Audrey Hepburn’s style.

10 Best holiday: Florida.

11 Most likely to say: I’ll have a Prosecco please.

12 Least likely to say: No, I don’t want to dance.

13 Greatest achievement: Keeping my sanity while running a business, looking after a family, performing in musicals, being a schools trustee and serving on the Spar Guild.

14 Greatest fear: Snakes, I am terrified of them.

15 Tip for business success: Go big or go home winners take the greatest risks.

16 Best business advice you’ve received: Don’t be afraid to walk away. If you take risks, sometimes they don’t work and you need to cut your losses.

17 Best thing about your job: My staff and customers, but they are the worst things too!

18 Most recent business achievement: We have been delighted with the response we’ve had from leaving a bag of Spar goodies and a welcome letter as a house-warming gift to new residents of the housing estate being built across the road.

19 Thoughts on the forecourt sector: I was very impressed with the quality of forecourt services in Ireland when I visited last year.

20 Three words to describe yourself: My staff did this one for me. They decided on: ambitious, fair and family-orientated. I was just pleased that ’alcoholic’ was not on the list!