60 Seconds with Tina O'Hagan

Thursday 9 April 2026

Tell us about your role and your organisation

I run Tina O’Hagan Sales Training, supporting individuals and organisations to build confidence in sales and grow their businesses in a way that feels natural and authentic.

My work is a mix of sales training, mentoring, coaching, and practical guidance, delivered both in person and online. I support individuals, start‑up businesses (particularly women in the early stages), established business owners, and existing sales teams. I help people not only develop and enhance their sales skills, but also build the confidence to show up, have meaningful conversations, and grow their business in a way that feels aligned with who they are.

A strong focus of my work is turning uncertainty into clarity — helping people understand what to do, how to do it, and giving them practical tools they can apply straight away to start seeing results.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief and my mantra:

“Selling is having a conversation with a purpose.”

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far

I bring a 360‑degree view to sales, shaped by my lived and professional journey — from starting out, to building businesses, to helping others navigate the selling process.

I have spent over 30 years working in sales and business development, mainly within the foodservice and hospitality sector, across Ireland, the UK, and internationally.

I began my career in the food and hospitality industry before moving into catering equipment sales. From there, I went on to build and run my own businesses, working on projects, developing relationships, and growing opportunities across the industry.

A key part of every business I have been involved in has been starting from the ground up — finding customers, creating opportunities, and going out to connect with people to generate sales. That’s a skill I haven’t just learned, I’ve truly lived.

Later, I worked in Australia, where I introduced sustainability‑led food waste solutions into the market, again building awareness and creating opportunities from scratch.

A consistent thread throughout my career has been building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping businesses grow — often starting with very little and developing something meaningful over time.

Today, I bring that full experience into my sales training business, supporting individuals and organisations as they develop confidence, strengthen their sales approach, and navigate their own business journey.

What is one skill that helps you most in your role and why?

Relationship building.

I have always believed that when you take the time to really listen and understand people, everything else flows from there. It creates trust, and from that, good decisions and long‑term business naturally follow.

What advice do you have for women in your sector or industry?

You don’t need to have it all figured out to get started.

Many women hold themselves back waiting for confidence, but in reality, confidence grows through action. Start small, take the next step, and allow yourself to learn as you go.

Be mindful of how you speak to yourself — the conversation in your own head shapes how you show up in your business, your sales conversations, and your confidence.

Your way of communicating, connecting, and understanding people is a strength. Trust that.

A question I often invite people to reflect on is:

“Would I buy from me in this moment?”Because how you feel about yourself is often exactly what others will feel too.

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead in your organisation?

Yes — I’m really looking forward to the year ahead.

I’m continuing to grow my online training programmes so they’re more accessible for busy business owners, alongside delivering more in‑person workshops across Ireland and the UK.

A big focus for me is supporting women in business, particularly around confidence, mindset, and feeling more comfortable with selling.

My podcast, Sell with Soul, is also continuing to grow and has become a lovely way to connect with people through honest, meaningful conversations.

Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?

One of my biggest career inspirations has been Louise Hay, a pioneer in personal development known for her work on mindset, self‑belief, and emotional wellbeing.

I first came across her work while I was on my own personal development journey, at the same time as starting out in my sales career. Her book had just been published, and it had a real impact on me.

Never did I imagine that I would go on to be part of the first group she trained in the UK when she launched her work there. The timing couldn’t have been better, as I was just starting my career in a tough, male‑dominated industry.

I later trained as a licensed facilitator to deliver her “You Can Heal Your Life” workshops, which deepened my understanding of mindset, self‑belief, and how people think and feel.

What she taught me stayed with me. She believed that how we think and feel shapes how we show up in the world — and I’ve seen that play out time and time again in sales and business.

Her influence is still very much with me today. It has shaped my approach to sales to be human, authentic, and relationship‑led. She wasn’t just an inspiration at one point in time; her teachings continue to guide me, and I bring them into how I work with people every day.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?

“Unstoppable”It’s a great reminder to keep going, stay strong, and believe in yourself — especially on the days when things feel more challenging.

How can our members best connect with you?