Name : Avril Keys
Company : A Life to Style
Role : Blogger/Communications Consultant
What do you do (in 10 words or fewer)?
I’m a self-employed blogger and communications consultant for a number of local businesses.
3 main attributes you need for the job
Writing skills, the ability to ‘get’ what people are trying to achieve in their business and in the case of my blog, a love of all things shopping & retail.
Path to this position
A surveying degree and 15 years in financial services….go figure. It was really my maternity leave that spurred me on to start the blog.
What’s your dream job (present position excepted)?
Retail consultancy - I would love to work in shopping/town centre planning/management. I think there’s a lot of innovation and creativity needed to influence retail footfall.
What are you most proud of (work-wise)?
My actual blog…so many bloggers don’t have or maintain one. Mine is over at www.alifetostyle.com - still on the go 9 years on with over 6.5 million page hits.
What are you most proud of (in life)?
That my children are still alive and happy despite my suspect mothering skills. It’s probably down to my husband but I’m taking it!
Who is Northern Ireland’s brightest business brain?
I’m most impressed by successful independent retailers on our local high streets. They are the ultimate multi-taskers and never get a day off in what is a tough and competitive sector.
What do you wish you had invented?
Something that’s useful for people and that makes their lives just that little bit easier. There's such great satisfaction in that. See next answer...
Favourite App on your phone
Parkmobile - for someone who never has case, it’s an absolute game-changer. Top tip - don’t forget to turn it off when you return to your car.
Apart from Belfast Live and your own, what’s your favourite website?
BBC iPlayer - I never get to watch TV when it’s actually on live so it’s my go-to for catching up on my favourite documentaries and crime dramas. I love a good twisty murder story.
If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be?
Donald Trump’s PA….I’d probably get fired within a couple of hours but it would be worth it to see how bonkers the White House is with him at the helm.
Where’s the best place in Belfast for lunch?
The Bakehouse on the Lisburn Road…a wee gem of a place.
Where’s your favourite place in Northern Ireland?
By the sea - I love that it’s so easy to get to a beach from anywhere in NI.
Where’s your favourite place in the world?
Tofino Beach on Vancouver Island.
What word do you use the most?
Lovely.
In 10 years’ time I’d like to…
...be enjoying the peace of my empty nest, planning my next trip to Tofino Beach on Vancouver island.
Avril will give the final talk of the 2019 Digi-Talk Forum, taking place on Thursday 21st November in The Stormont Hotel. If you have attended any Digi-talk events in your current CPD year, you can also claim CPD credits for those. For more information on how to join Digi-Talk: The Forum visit www.hastingshotels.com/digitalk , call 028 9067 4168 or email digital@hastingshotels.com .
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