Avril Clare established her recruitment company to deliver the kind of recruitment service she once needed: strategic, thoughtful, and deeply humane. Here she reflects on the journey so far and shares some words of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The idea for Avril Clare Recruitment Ltd didn’t come from a textbook or a boardroom—it came from life; real, challenging, inspiring life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I took voluntary redundancy from a global law firm where I led recruitment across 17 legal divisions. Having already navigated the life-changing experience of divorce and being a single parent, facing redundancy during lockdown brought a new level of uncertainty and isolation. It was an emotionally and professionally challenging time but one that gave me the opportunity for reflection, recalibration, and ultimately, the beginning of something new.
That “something new” wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. Being self-employed wasn’t my first rodeo. After almost a decade working in banking, I loved the people aspect but was not fulfilled.
Alongside my corporate career, I cultivated my creative interests through a long-standing passion for amateur dramatics, performing in numerous productions over the years. I am a qualified speech and drama teacher and served as a principal adjudicator and examiner with the Irish Board of Speech and Drama. I also successfully ran my own elocution and drama school for nearly a decade, teaching in well-regarded Dublin schools such as Mount Anville, Cluny, and Wayside.
Entrepreneurship has always been part of my DNA, but I knew my next chapter had to be both purposeful and aligned with my core values, which are people-focused, results-driven, and rooted in genuine passion.
With over a decade of recruitment experience and a strong network across the property and asset management sectors, I founded a boutique, advisory-led firm focused on more than just job specs, one that truly understands people, culture, values, and commercial alignment.
The irony is, I’ve been the person on the receiving end of change both personally and professionally. Redundancy, reinvention, the search for something more aligned. That experience gave me deep empathy and clarity. My mission is to deliver the kind of recruitment service I once needed: strategic, thoughtful, and deeply humane.
While I oversee all operations, my daughter, Lauren Avril Clare, also a director of ACR has been part of this entire journey with me. As she enters her final year undertaking a BA (Hons) Psychology Level 8, her contribution to Avril Clare Recruitment Ltd has been phenomenal, particularly in the area of social media skills and business coaching. It’s funny how the roles reverse!
Something my father always told me was: “Do something willingly, with a good heart—and always finish it well.” That mantra continues to guide how I work today. I believe that smart work, rooted in strong values, always pays off.
So, I launched Avril Clare Recruitment Ltd—a firm dedicated exclusively to the property and asset management sector. We are proudly niche, proudly different, and proudly female-owned. In fact, I’m proud to say we are currently the only female-owned and led property specialist recruitment firm in Ireland. And we’re here to set a new standard.
My big business goal is to establish Avril Clare Recruitment Ltd as Ireland’s leading specialists in property and asset management recruitment—renowned not just for the quality of our placements, but for the integrity, empathy, and personalised service we bring to every relationship.
Ultimately, my vision is to build a sustainable, values-driven business that empowers both clients and candidates to thrive, —helping shape successful careers and strong teams that will drive the future of Ireland’s property market.
Starting Avril Clare Recruitment Ltd was an organic progression—combining my passion for the property and asset management sectors with my extensive recruitment experience.
I’ve been the person on the receiving end of change both personally and professionally. Redundancy, reinvention, the search for something more aligned. That experience gave me deep empathy and clarity.
The logistics
I established Avril Clare Recruitment Ltd with a lean, strategic approach, — minimising overheads while leveraging the professional network and industry expertise I had built over more than a decade. Rather than pursuing substantial upfront capital, I focused on securing early client engagements and operating within a service-led model.
Launching during the COVID-19 lockdown was a leap of faith — one that called for deep resilience, quick thinking, and the courage to keep moving forward in the face of uncertainty. With technology as a lifeline and a makeshift home office as headquarters, the journey began. But what truly made a difference was the steady presence of a trusted mentor, someone whose wisdom, belief, and quiet encouragement helped shape the business in its earliest, most fragile days. It’s a beautiful truth that the right people often show up just when you need them most, a gentle reminder that behind every bold step is often the quiet strength of someone who believed in you.
This approach reduced the need for major initial investment and allowed me to concentrate on building strong relationships, delivering quality service, and developing the brand from the outset.
I undertook business training prior to establishing my company. Esther McGeraghty from Southside Partnership DLR, whose guidance was instrumental, introduced me to Peter Cronin of ARDU, under whose direction I completed the “Start Your Own Business” programme. The course provided invaluable insight into the fundamentals of launching and sustaining a business. One particularly resonant piece of advice from Peter was that in the first twelve months, a business demands complete commitment — you must live and breathe it — or it is unlikely to succeed.
After many late nights and early mornings dedicated to building Avril Clare Recruitment Ltd, I’m proud to share that we recently celebrated our fourth anniversary as a limited company. The training I undertook in the early stages of this journey laid a strong foundation, equipping me with both the confidence and practical knowledge necessary to move forward successfully.
Additionally, the support from a highly respected journalist and Editor of the Property Supplement at The Business Post, Tina-Marie O’Neill. It is a privilege to contribute to Ireland’s leading national business publication, and I take great pride in sharing career insights with its readership. I am especially thankful to Tina-Marie for her continued support and encouragement. As a champion of women supporting women, she exemplifies true leadership and empowerment in action. Her belief in amplifying diverse voices has afforded me the opportunity to share my perspective consistently — a gesture I do not take for granted.
Pat Kenny and Newstalk for their ongoing support of Avril Clare Recruitment. I am grateful for the platform to regularly share updates and insights on career opportunities within Ireland’s property sector with a national audience.
In finance, there are many factors beyond your influence, market fluctuations, economic shifts, unexpected expenses—but the one thing you can always manage is your spending, saving habits, and financial planning. By prioritising budgeting wisely, living within your means, and making deliberate investment decisions, you build resilience against uncertainty. This mindset helps you stay grounded, avoid unnecessary risks, and steadily grow your financial foundation regardless of external circumstances.
Entrepreneurship, doubts and dreams
The Irish education system is improving in supporting entrepreneurship, but there’s still a long way to go. While there are more programmes and initiatives now than there used to be, entrepreneurship isn’t fully embedded into the mainstream curriculum. Young people need to be encouraged to think creatively, take calculated risks, and understand real-world business basics like budgeting, sales, and networking.
More collaboration between schools, local enterprise offices, and real entrepreneurs would make a huge difference.
Fear and doubt are natural when building something from scratch. Over time, I’ve learned to view fear as a motivator—what feels daunting today often becomes familiar within months. My personal mantra is to push beyond my comfort zone regularly, allowing new challenges to become the norm.
I try to avoid living in the future, where fear and anxiety often reside. While I plan ahead, I try to stay grounded in the present and focus on what is, rather than what could be. This mindset helps me remain realistic, focused, and decisive. I never take anything for granted and know that I am only as good as the effort I put in.
What matters most to me extends beyond business, my children, close friendships, health, and the simple joys in life: playing tennis, walking Dun Laoghaire pier with my bestie, and more recently, learning golf. Reaching a “Roundy” milestone in life has reminded me how quickly everything can change — careers, relationships, even your health. That’s why staying grounded in your values and present in the moment is essential. Life has taught me that while others may disappoint you, you must never disappoint yourself.
Ambition, boundaries and resilience
As a business owner, I’m not always great at switching off. Self-employment makes it easy to blur the lines between work and life — especially when you care deeply about what you do. Yes, I’m guilty of working around the clock, but that’s the passion driving me. Being single has given me the flexibility to invest fully in the business, but it also brings the challenge of setting boundaries and making space to pause, recharge, and reconnect — something I’m consciously working on.
I believe risk-taking is essential to growth—both personally and professionally. Without stepping outside your comfort zone, it’s hard to discover what you’re truly capable of. That said, risk-taking doesn’t mean being reckless; it’s about calculated risks based on good information, clear goals, and an understanding of potential consequences.
For me, risk is a tool—not something to be feared, but respected. Taking risks has opened doors I never imagined, but it also taught me the value of resilience and learning from setbacks.
Ambition, to me, is the drive to keep moving forward—always striving to improve, learn, and grow. It’s about setting meaningful goals and having the passion to pursue them, even when the path isn’t easy. But ambition isn’t just about personal success; it’s also about creating a positive impact for others and staying true to your values along the way.
Ambition is the fuel that keeps the fire alive, but balance and integrity are what keep it sustainable.
One key support for my wellbeing as a business owner is maintaining a clear boundary between work and personal time. This intentional separation helps me recharge, stay focused, and sustain the energy needed to lead effectively over the long term.
Resilience as an entrepreneur comes down to a few key qualities: adaptability, patience, and a positive mindset. You have to be ready to pivot when things don’t go as planned and patient enough to keep going through the ups and downs.
‘Delegating is a crucial skill’
Building a team is both exciting and essential for growth. At the moment, our firm is a small but mighty two-woman operation—my daughter works part-time alongside me. It’s a close-knit dynamic, and I cherish the flexibility and trust that comes with it.
Having been an employee, I know how important it is to feel valued. Creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered is key to long-term success.
Delegating is a crucial skill, but it’s definitely a journey. At first, it can be challenging to let go of control and trust others with important tasks. However, I’ve learned that effective delegation not only frees up my time to focus on strategic priorities but also empowers others to grow and contribute their strengths.
Work-life balance isn’t just achievable—it’s essential. Yes, it can feel like a constant juggling act, especially when you pour your heart into your business. But balance isn’t about perfection or having equal hours for everything; it’s about being fully present in both your work and your life.
It’s a daily commitment to honour yourself—to know when to push forward and when to pause, reflect, and breathe. Because at the end of the day, your wellbeing is the foundation for everything you want to achieve.
My favourite thing about running my own business is the opportunity to make a real difference for my clients and candidates. I’m deeply passionate—not just about meeting expectations but about exceeding them. Helping people find the right fit, supporting their growth, and building lasting relationships is what drives me everyday. That sense of purpose and impact makes all the effort worthwhile.
On the flip side, what I dislike about it is that it can be difficult to switch off. Organically, I am a doer—my mind is always ten steps ahead, constantly thinking about how to deliver even better results. Even when I was an employee with other recruitment firms, I stayed true to my passion and often worked through annual leave because I genuinely care about the people I represent.
Trust your passion but stay grounded in reality. It’s vital to have a clear vision and business plan but also be ready to adapt as you learn and grow.
‘Trust your passion’
The most rewarding risk I ever took was turning down another job opportunity and instead taking a leap of faith to follow my passion. Walking away from the security of a guaranteed role was scary, but it allowed me to fully commit to building something that truly excites me. That decision wasn’t easy, but it gave me the freedom to create a business aligned with my values and to make a real impact for my clients and candidates. It taught me that sometimes the biggest risks lead to the greatest rewards—and that trusting your instincts can open doors you never imagined.
My advice to someone just starting or considering starting their own business would be to trust your passion but stay grounded in reality. It’s vital to have a clear vision and business plan but also be ready to adapt as you learn and grow. Surround yourself with supportive people—mentors, peers, and a strong network—because entrepreneurship can be a very lonely journey without that.
Don’t be afraid to take risks but make them calculated. Most importantly, remember that persistence and resilience will carry you through the tough times. Celebrate small wins along the way and keep pushing your comfort zone—you’ll be amazed at how much you can achieve, and finally seize the day, or Carpe Diem. I wish I had started ACR 10 years ago, so take the chance and make it happen! My motto has always been we only regret what we do not try.
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