Pip Organic’s Karen O’Flaherty on health, Mandarin and flying cockroaches

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Karen OFlaherty PIp

Name: Karen O’Flaherty

Job title: Co-founder

Company: Pip Organic

What was your first job? A Saturday job working on a one-hour photo processing machine – in days before digital cameras this was the height of technology.

What’s been your worst job interview? I don’t know who was more embarrassed, but I was once interviewed by a headhunter who had picked up the wrong CV and started to try and interview me speaking Mandarin on a three-way call.

This was before video calls and I sadly don’t understand Mandarin. It took about five minutes for them to stop speaking so that I could explain their mix-up!

What was the first music single you bought? Mickey by Toni Basil – amusingly my daughter was listening to it last week and was horrified that I knew a dance to it.

“As a female founder I am involved in Buy Women Built and Women in Wholesale and I am really passionate about supporting women in industries that have traditionally been difficult to break into”

How do you describe your job to your friends? As a family brand, our mission is to ‘make it easier for parents to say yes!’ so my role is to help the team to develop and market products that are good for the planet, help families but most importantly everyone in the family loves.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Finding a food environment that from the outside I think ‘that is a perfect Pip environment!’ then walking in and seeing us on shelf.

Also working with a great team who are all developing and learning as we grow. I was given a break early in my career and this is something I want to give back. As a female founder I am involved in Buy Women Built and Women in Wholesale and I am really passionate about supporting women in industries that have traditionally been difficult to break into.

Pip Organic Apple Fizz

What is the least rewarding part? I spend a lot of time navigating new legislation and general admin, all essential but it takes me away from the things I love to grow the business.

What is your motto in life? Running a challenger brand (and balancing a young family) there are always bumps along the way! So my motto is ‘if you want a rainbow, you have to put up with the rain’.

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? I am lucky enough to already have everything I need.

Do you have any phobias? While backpacking I discovered flying cockroaches… need I say more?

If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? More grocery shelf space for challenger brands that celebrate nature and health, as well as accessibly priced data that allows brands to understand how to grow and to adapt to meet retailer timeframes. I’ve seen great examples of this in the Danish retail market.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? The makings of a beach party…my family, music, and a fridge full of Pip of course!

What animal most reflects your personality? I asked my kids and they refused to answer as they didn’t want to upset me!

We eventually settled on a dolphin – a little shy but social and like being part of a pod to support each other.

What’s your favourite film and why? I love rom coms so Dirty Dancing is top of the list.

What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? There have been many! On the visit to a factory in Italy the heel of my shoe snapped and I fell down two flights of stairs straight into a restaurant full of people. Amazingly I didn’t break anything and now only wear flats to factory visits!

Which celebrity would you most like to work with and why? I need to choose two! David Attenborough: his passion for nature and his ability to communicate to all generations is just outstanding. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford inspired my kids to get involved in raising money for our local foodbank and he understands the challenges that many families face today.

What would your death row meal be? Seafood linguine with extra chilli, plus a glass of chilled rosé (and a Pip Fizz on the side!).