Laura Dowling is the founder, CEO and chief scientist for fabÜ and a high-profile health campaigner on Instagram under the tag, @fabulouspharmacist. She is a qualified pharmacist and scientist, specialising in pharmacognosy (the study of plants, herbs and mushrooms) and was recently named 2022 Pharmacist of the Year.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I would most certainly consider myself a saver, but that tends to suggest I have a lot of money piling up at the end of every month. My young family and large boxer dog seem to hoover up all of my disposable income, regardless of how much I try to save.
Do you shop around for better value?
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Traditionally, no. I am terrible at seeking out value or discounts. Regardless of whether I am shopping for groceries, food or clothing, I will usually gravitate towards the easiest, most painless option. I tend to be juggling a thousand things at once, and therefore I tend to place much more value on my time than on money. When it comes to my business, I don’t make any purchasing decisions lightly. I want value and more importantly, top-notch service, thank you very much!
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
Extravagant purchases are not really in my nature. I think I get that from my parents. They were both hard workers when I was growing up. We were never short of anything but the word “extravagance” was definitely not in our vocabulary. That said, I indulged myself somewhat this year by buying a custom-tailored tuxedo. It was a bit of a mad idea, but I justified it on the basis that I was nominated for an award at a black-tie dinner.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
My iPhone. I am certainly not a techie, but it’s probably thanks to that amazing wee gadget that I started my Instagram account, @fabulouspharmacist, a couple of years ago. Initially, it was just a hobby for me. I was looking for a fun and lighthearted way of engaging with my pharmacy patients during those very dark Covid times, to give them information on health, meds and wellness. It quickly took on a life of its own and I now have over 56,000 followers. I think that helped give me the “get up and go” to ditch the pharmacy career, take the leap and become a full-time entrepreneur.
How did you prefer to shop during the Covid-19 restrictions – online or local?
I worked on the front lines in a pharmacy throughout the Covid-19 restrictions, so my shopping habits didn’t change – I kept most of it local. My business and social media work are all heavily online now, so to compensate, I love eating out with friends and loved ones. And shopping in the physical world can be fun, too!
Do you haggle over prices?
Private life? No. Business life? All day, every day.
How has the Covid-19 crisis changed your spending habits?
I stopped getting my nails done and I am letting my grey hair come through naturally without trying to hide it. This involves fewer visits to salons and hairdressers. This may seem trivial to some, but when I posted about this on my Instagram, many women contacted me to say they were doing the same. Slaying the grey is what we call it.
Do you invest in shares?
No, never. But my kids tell me cryptocurrencies are tanking – again – and they are adamant I should start dabbling in bitcoin. Erm, no thanks.
Cash or card?
Card or Apple Pay for me, please. Even my kids are largely cashless because I got them all a Revolut junior account to simplify my hectic lifestyle.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
The very last thing I bought was my large weekly online grocery shop. I have three growing boys and they are bottomless pits.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
A house deposit. I know, how boring.
Have you ever lost money?
No, but I bought my family home in 2004. Does negative equity qualify?
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
I gamble only on myself.
Is money important to you?
It is important in that I can provide for my family, but it isn’t what motivates me.
How much money do you have on you now?
Only cards and my phone.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
[ Me & My Money: ‘My biggest extravagance is my children. It’s never-ending’Opens in new window ]
[ Me & My Money: ‘I bought my first pharmacy, Meaghers, at the tender age of 28′Opens in new window ]
[ ‘My guilty pleasure is buying secondhand furniture to repair and upcycle’Opens in new window ]
