Crime Stoppers Security is a Cork security company and 100 percent Irish-owned, operating from their head offices in Little Island, Cork. Crime Stoppers also operates outside of Munster to provide an overall solution to their clients’ needs and they continue to grow, as they provide peace of mind to each and every one of their clients and build relationships with them based upon trust.
John Foley built this security company from the ground up into the award winning success it is today, having very recently been named The Cork Security Company of the Year 2018 for the second year in a row at The Rémy Martin Cork Business Awards 2018.
“This award is all about recognising a security company in Cork that has set itself apart from others in its sector. Our winner this evening is a security company that offers a wide range of security services, from mobile patrol to CCTV and access control, as well as a range of services that makes a difference to a business and its security. The Cork Security Company of the Year 2018 is, for the second year, Crime Stoppers Security.”
What was the key driving force behind you going into business?
The driving force behind Crime Stoppers Security was to provide a security company with the personal touch. Our clients are more than clients; they become friends and know they will be protected like we would protect our own families. Our company slogan is “Your Local Security Company”, which we are to our clients.
What was your vision for Crime Stoppers Security from the beginning?
Our vision with the company was to provide clients with one security supplier to the many services available making it easier for clients to deal with only one point of contact and one invoice and we have achieved that by supplying our clients with mobile patrols, keyholding, alarm response, intruder alarms, CCTV, fire alarms, site security systems, manned guarding, automatic gates, intercom systems, access control, alarm monitoring, vehicle trackers and private investigations.
To what do you attribute your success?
The success of Crime Stoppers Security is down to a number of things. Having the right business partner, like I have with Denis Kelly, who is stronger in areas that you are not, is vital to the success of a business. The support of our clients who have been very loyal to us over the years has helped us grow. Our staff, who work hard day and night to keep our clients safe, and our families who support us even when calls come in late at night when a problem has occurred.
As a business manager, a lot of the burden must feel like it is on your shoulders; how do you manage stress?
I use stress as a strength, not as a burden. There is always a solution to a problem and sometimes you need to think outside of the box and use that to get past the problems that may come in the way.
If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and what would you hope to learn from them?
The person I would love to talk to again would be my father. He worked hard to provide for our family and was always good at giving advice and I think that is one of the main reasons why I work for myself.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
I love to fish when I can; something about the water that makes me get away from it all but with family now it’s spending time with them is the most important thing to me.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
That question should be asked to my wife but seriously, without her support I wouldn’t be where I am today. The security business is not a nine to five business; it’s a 24-hour business and at times there are problems that need solving at night but that is the nature of the business and my wife is very understanding and supportive.
What trait do you most value in a business connection or partner?
Trust is what I most value with a business connection. A lot of other security companies use our services that they can’t provide but we treat their clients like they are our own and we never break that trust. There is enough business for everyone.
How do you define success?
Success is when our security systems have detected and prevented intruders stealing from our clients and more so when our staff and the Gardaí make an arrest. That’s when you know you have done your job and that’s why our clients can depend on us.
What piece of advice would you give to college or course graduates who want to go into business for themselves in the security industry?
Be prepared for it to take years to grow. I know this from being in the security industry for a lot of years. It takes time for people to trust that you will protect their home, their family or their business.
What key activities would you recommend security entrepreneurs invest their time in?
Find a unique product that is new to the security market. We have invested a lot of time and money researching the best and unique security systems for our clients. These systems have saved them financial loss and downtime to their business that could have occurred if our systems hadn’t been in place.
What would you do with Crime Stoppers Security if you had unlimited resources?
If we had unlimited resources I would like to see Crime Stoppers expanding into foreign countries where our unique site security systems can be used to protect sites that wouldn’t have the security infrastructure like Europe has.
Crime Stoppers Security
021 233 9040
crime-stoppers.ie
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