Noella Gabriel, Managing Director at ELEMIS, talks turning 60 and cracking the glass ceiling with her heels to Beauty Director, Jo GB
Noella grew up in Bandon, County Cork, one of five children whose father worked for the Ford Car Factory. She describes herself as a “free spirit” and has never married but has one daughter Kate, now aged 18. She co-founded ELEMIS in 1990.
I just adore what I do. Passion is, and has always been, my key driver. You couldn’t work in a more interesting business: because it’s evolving all the time and because we women are amazing – growing and getting more confident.
I think you need to be ambitious in life, but some women want success and fulfillment so much that it gets in the way. I think wanting it and being passionate about something you’re doing are two very different things. My driver has always been to learn, to experience and to meet people – and it still is.
A work/life balance is key. I am excessive by nature, so a balance has always been difficult, but I think it’s difficult for women in general in business because we always feel we need to overcompensate. Throughout the 60s and 70s I travelled the world and although my business was about beauty and women, the irony is that those at the top are still, pretty much, men. So I never felt I could say, “I can’t do that”. But I think today that’s changing. There IS a permission to talk about your limitation without it destroying your opportunity. I welcome that change for women with open arms.
I never want to stop learning. Aged 60, I’ve just got a young girl in the office to give me an hour of social media mentoring once a week! As we get older and have these big roles, we think we’re expected to know everything but we’re learning all the time.
Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av Woman & Home.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av Woman & Home.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
How healthy IS YOUR GUT?
This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition
'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'
Seeing the plight of innocent children in Gaza, Dr Ana Jeelani knew her medical skills could save lives – here’s what she experienced
CANCER WAS JUST A JOB until it happened to me
Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient
Freewheeling in TUSCANY
A cycling holiday through medieval cities and lush scenery is a great way to absorb culture and get off the beaten track
Nostalgic BAKES
Unlock childhood memories with these fun sweet treats
A NEW NORMAL
The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list
I look forward to being a very elderly, ECCENTRIC WOMAN'
Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra
Lighter DINNERS
Big on flavour and easy on the calories
Behind CLOSED DOORS
What really goes on at your local surgery, and how are decisions made? GP and practice partner Dr Helen Wall reveals all
15 ways to IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY
Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks