The SME Chamber organises an informative webinar on the new Skills Pass system
11 April 2024
This morning the Malta Chamber of SMEs organised a webinar for its members in collaboration...
60seconds interview with Ms Tanya Farrugia – Golden Gate
24 March 2012
Why did you become an entrepreneur? Not by choice…I was thrown in at the deep end when I joined my father, Edgar Ellul, in the business at 16 years old. It was an interesting and challenging time for me, especially being a woman in a mostly-male dominated world. Together we introduced new ways of doing business, and coming from living abroad for 10 years, customer service and satisfaction were our main priorities and the cornerstone to developing a thriving concern within a few years of taking over.
How have you come to chose your line of business?
Again, not by choice. My grandfather, Joseph Ellul, started up GG soon after WW2, also with some innovative ideas of his own, like a chain of several newsagent/stationery shops all around Sliema. I was fascinated by him even at a young age and was always running around with him on his visits to his little empire whenever I used to be here on holiday. Although I did not choose this line of business, the family influence was very strong and I wanted to be a part of this small niche he had carved into the local market within a short time. This tradition is still being carried on today with my own 2 children, Rachel Hyzler and Jeffrey Farrugia, making their own way within the company to become leaders one day too.
Where did you go on your last holiday?
The Scottish Highlands, which was like going to the end of the world. What I liked most was seeing more animals than people, plus driving for miles without seeing another person or car in sight. A welcome change from Malta for sure!
What is your earliest memory?
I was about 5 yrs old when I was injured in a minor car accident in Canada.
If you could chose to be someone famous who would you be?
Mother Theresa, because she did nothing but good in the world in such a natural way. Her actions show us humility, compassion and love, and she treated everyone equally with respect and dignity, no matter who they were or where they came from.
