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Explore every episode of the podcast Business Builders

Dive into the complete episode list for Business Builders. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
What Nobody Tells You About Growing a Company with Tom Rowan (Rowan Engineering)15 Dec 202500:49:05

Tom Rowan, founder of Rowan Engineering, shares a grounded and refreshingly honest account of how he built a forensic engineering and environmental consultancy from one customer and no grand plan into a 30-person business working with insurers, public bodies, and major Irish organisations.

Rather than chasing hype or overnight success, Tom explains how his ambition evolved gradually — from simply replacing his salary, to hitting €250k, then €1 million, and beyond. Along the way, he reflects on leadership, culture, setbacks, and why values like integrity, professionalism, and balance matter more as a business grows.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:
– How Rowan Engineering grew one step at a time
– Why ambition changes as a business scales
– The reality of hiring when there’s no money in the bank
– How to build a values-led culture without ego
– Why slow, deliberate growth often wins

Whether you’re running a small business, thinking about scaling, or questioning what growth should actually look like, this episode offers a calm, thoughtful perspective from someone who’s lived it.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

From Redundancy to Europe-Wide E-Commerce: Daniel Plewman (Happythreads)08 Dec 202500:49:28

After losing his engineering job during the 2008 crash, Daniel Plewman found himself unemployed, on the dole, and unsure what came next. A chance moment — his wife struggling to source quality scrubs from the US — sparked the idea that would eventually become Happythreads, an e-commerce scrubs and healthcare uniform business now operating across Ireland, the UK, France, Spain, Germany and beyond.

In this episode, Danny shares how he built Happy Threads from a spare room in Stoneybatter, going door-to-door with samples, and why launching an e-commerce scrubs business long before it was obvious became his unfair advantage. He opens up about the early years of survival, cashflow tricks, moments of being “technically bankrupt,” and the burnout and hospitalisation that forced him to rethink how he worked and led.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:
– Spotting overlooked opportunities and creating a new market
– How e-commerce cashflow helped the business survive
– Building a 25-person team across Europe
– Burnout, lifestyle choices, and the high-dependency hospital wake-up call
– Leadership, culture, and moving towards a business that can run without you


🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube

Bankruptcy, Self-Belief & Cardboard Cutouts. Michael Flynn (Mattress Mick)25 Aug 202501:03:21

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In Series 10, Episode #89, I interview Michael Flynn, famously known as Mattress Mick. Michael shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Dublin's Pearse Street, working in a bank, and taking over the family business, to experiencing significant business failures and ultimate success. After his furniture business crashed during the 2009 recession, Michael invented the Mattress Mick persona, which propelled him to become Ireland’s leading mattress retailer through innovative marketing strategies. Michael discusses the importance of resilience, believing in oneself, and leveraging social media for business growth. He also touches on personal experiences, humanitarian efforts, and the role of faith and community support in his ventures. 

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

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CONNECT WITH MATTRESS MICK:

TikTok

Instagram

Website

Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

#016: Lory Kehoe (Blockchain Ireland)26 Oct 202000:53:37

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

Lory Kehoe is an adjunct associate professor at Trinity College Dublin and Founder of BlockChain Ireland.

Being an accountant, I thought I knew a little about blockchain and cryptocurrency before my chat with Lory, but as you’ll hear for yourself, his depth of knowledge about the subject is fantastic. He is also very excited about the possibilities of this emerging tool. 

We talk about Blockchain and its real-world application, why Lory left a global consultancy partnership to start his own business, and how teaching has helped develop his leadership skills. 

Find out more and connect with  Lory Kehoe here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lory-kehoe/

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#015: Barbara Turley (The Virtual Hub)19 Oct 202000:49:19

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

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This week I had an inspiring chat with Barbara Turley, Founder and CEO at The Virtual Hub. The Virtual Hub provides virtual, remote assistants to businesses all over the world. 

Barbara has an astounding work ethic and draws a hard line between work and life. She doesn’t let work get in the way of being a fantastic mother to her children and living the lifestyle she wants. 

Having started the business 5 years ago, she has scaled it to 150 staff. Delegation is key for Barbara, and she gives us some very useful insights into avoiding being consumed by your business. 

Find out more about Barbara Turley here:  https://www.thevirtualhub.com/

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#014 (Part Two): Vincent Carton (Manor Farm)12 Oct 202000:32:38

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

Vincent Carton’s story reaches back into the 18th Century, where the Carton family began a poultry business involving breeding, feeding and selling in the Dublin area. This is one of Ireland’s oldest surviving companies!

With so much experience and wisdom to share, we’ve brought this conversation to you in two parts. Following on from Part One, where you heard how Vincent came to own the business and how he nearly lost it, in Part Two you'll find out how Vincent and his team got the business back on track and the strategy they used to grow profits from 500 thousand to 13 million in just 7 years!

Check out these videos I mentioned in the episode:

The Whirl Wind
The concept that top management can’t focus on growing and scaling the business if they are caught up in the day-to-day work of the business. Getting out of the Whirl Wind was critical for Manor Farm implementing their strategic plan.
https://youtu.be/ahH2WdrovPg?list=PL7B1E1664C5352A7

First Follower
In order get all employees rowing in the same direction, the board needed to communicate the strategy of the business to everyone in the organisation. To do this, they appointed 23 “first followers” to champion the strategy in their own divisions. It only took 23 people to change a company of circa 830 people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ&list=LL4t6dGleRcIkHHwCqBARENQ&index=73

The Five Monkeys
This was the main problem that Vincent and the board came up against when they tried to create change in a 230 year old business. People will always follow “the way we’ve always done it” rather than embrace change. Vincent and his first followers showed this video to their staff who quickly understood the concept and bought-in to the idea of going back to the facts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZeiSKnhOBc

Find out more about Vincent Carton and Manor Farm here:
https://chicken.ie/about-us

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#014 (Part One): Vincent Carton (Manor Farm)05 Oct 202000:47:40

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

Vincent Carton’s story reaches back into the 18th Century, where the Carton family began a poultry business involving breeding, feeding and selling in the Dublin area. This is one of Ireland’s oldest surviving companies!

Family businesses can be slow to evolve,  as decision making can span several generations. Vincent and his brother Justin saw this and bought out all of the shareholders. They focused on understanding new customer needs, streamlining the organisation and selling off underperforming divisions. 

With so much experience and wisdom to share, we’ve brought this conversation to you in two parts. In Part One, you’ll hear about the history of Manor Farm, how Vincent almost lost the business and how an old college friend helped him turn things around. 

Find out more about Vincent Carton and Manor Farm here:

https://chicken.ie/about-us

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#013: Jack Pierse (Wayflyer)28 Sep 202000:50:48

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

Jack Pierse is the co-founder and CFO of Wayflyer, a revenue-based financing service for ecommerce companies.

Wayflyer’s business is a simple one, they lend money to businesses, so that they can buy more online advertising to grow their sales

In under 24 hours, businesses can connect with Wayflyer, connect their online marketing platforms and receive funds towards their online marketing campaigns. 

Unlike a bank who would review a customers’ ability to pay back a loan, based on standard accounting and cashflow reporting, Wayflyer plug in seamlessly to their customers online marketing platforms such as Facebook, Google, Instagram etc, to assess which specific advertising campaigns are performing well.

Dive in to hear about Jack’s revolutionary business model, how he raised venture capital in the US and the importance of thinking big!

Find out more about Wayflyer here:
https://www.wayflyer.com/

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#012: Mick Kearney (Snap Printing, Irish Rugby & Home Instead Senior Care)21 Sep 202000:41:39

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

Welcome to Season 2 of Irish Business Builders!

On today's episode I chat with Mick Kearney, whose life in business has taken him down many paths since he started out in the early 1980's.

Mick brought Snap Printing to Ireland in 1984,  which quickly grew to be the largest Print and Design group in the country. A position it still holds today.

Then in 2005, Mick and his business partner Ed Murphy, launched another Franchise in
Ireland – Home Instead Senior Care. Their philosophy is to provide a trusted service to older people, allowing them to stay independent and to continue to live in their homes for longer. Over the following 12 years, Mick and Ed grew Home Instead to €70 Million
euros in revenues before selling a majority stake in 2017.

Mick also managed to find time to become Manager for the Irish Rugby team,
a position he held passionately and successfully for for 5 years, alongside colleagues Declan Kidney and later Joe Schmidt.

Mick is open and generous with the lessons he has learnt, his business philosophies and insights. Enjoy!

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#011 - Season 1 End07 Sep 202000:01:33

Hello dear listeners,

Thank you for tuning in to Season One of Irish Business Builders.

I'm very excited to return with Season Two on Monday the 21st of September!

You can use this time to catch up on any episodes you've missed, and if you know an Irish Business Builder you'd like to hear from on the show, email me at conor@jetbooks.ie

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

My deepest thanks once again to everyone who has tuned in. 

See you all on Monday 21st of September!

Conor


#010: The business of rugby - with Mick Dawson (Leinster Rugby)31 Aug 202000:34:54

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

This week I sat down with Mick Dawson, ex-stockbroker with Davy and Chief Executive of Leinster Rugby since 2001.

I've never been a huge rugby fan and so in this chat, I was interested to hear what goes on behind the scenes at a world-class sports franchise; What are the main revenue drivers? How do they think about marketing? Does the executive HQ influence the outcomes on the pitch and what are the key dynamics that drive the business side of the game?

Mick gives us  an interesting look at how a professional club operates; coach selection, player satisfaction, sponsorships and fan engagement. 

Covid has hit the sporting world hard. Mick  can’t see into the future, but this conversation filled me with nostalgia about rugby matches past, and hope about the future of the sport post-Covid. 

Find out more about Leinster Rugby here: https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#009: Seeing challenges as opportunities - with Peter Burke (Crossfit 353 & Hush Restaurant)23 Aug 202000:33:26

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

Peter Burke is the kind of person who sees challenges as opportunities. His first business venture was a small gym called Crossfit 353, as an affiliate of the well-known fitness brand. Starting an affiliate business is a great way to get a head-start on building a business from the ground up.

Peter Burke is also the founder of Hush Restaurant in Rathmines, a new spot for mouthwatering burgers, sandwiches and coffee. Covid-19 hasn’t made things easy for Peter, but with his optimistic attitude and motivated mindset, he shares with us his tips for a balanced lifestyle with work and family, and curbing bad social-media habits.
I really enjoyed this honest and inspiring chat with Peter, and I think you will too.

Find out more about Crossfit 353 and Hush here:
https://www.crossfit353.com/
https://hushrestaurant.ie/

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#008: Ice cream done differently - with Xavier Vidal (Amorino)17 Aug 202000:40:04

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

This week I sat down with Xavier Vidal, somewhat of a retail genius, which is probably why he is involved now in something that makes so many people happy - ice cream.

We haven’t spoken about franchises in the show yet,  and I think it’s important to discuss because it’s a bit different than building a new business from the ground up.

After several impressive corporate retail positions, Xavier was looking for a change. While on a trip overseas looking for a coffee, he found himself in a store called Amorino. Soon after his coffee he was enjoying their world famous ice cream. Not long after that, he met with the founders, put plans in place for a store in Dublin, and it’s been a hit ever since.

Having worked in an industry so focused on people, for such a long time, Xavier’s insights can be applied to any business, and his franchise story will surely inspire anyone who’s interested in taking that path to their own business.

Find out more about Amorino here: https://www.amorino.com/en/

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!


From College Project To Successful Business, Market Pivots & Implementing Company Values. Fionn Barron (Tracworx)18 Aug 202500:58:49

Hire world-class accountants and in The Philippines. Visit Outsource Direct to scale your operations with higher flexibility, maximum efficiency and much lower costs.

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In Series 10, Episode #88, I interview Fionn Barron, co-founder and Chief Customer Officer at Tracworx. Fionn shares his experiences from starting a business as a college project to creating a successful company that tracks returnable transport items like kegs, pallets, and cylinders. The discussion covers the challenges of finding and keeping world-class talent, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of customer commitment and market pivots. Additionally, the conversation delves into the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, including imposter syndrome and the importance of maintaining a balance between business goals and integrity.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH FIONN:

LinkedIn

Tracworx

Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

#007: The Modular Construction Revolution - with Conor Hanratty (Extraspace Solutions)09 Aug 202000:44:14

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

This week I caught up with Conor Hanratty, whose story is a little different than our other business builders so far. Conor was the managing director of Extraspace Solutions, a leading  specialist in construction of modular buildings, which he sold in 2016. Originally working at Cambridge Finance, a public leasing company that owned Extraspace, Conor bought the business out of receivership and grew the company in Ireland and then expanded into the UK.

As I found out in this chat, construction and manufacturing is a fascinating business. Conor has been in the industry for decades and generously shares his knowledge.

Find out more about Extraspace here: https://www.essmodular.com/

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#006: If you’re going to do it, do it well! - with Gary Fox (The Entrepreneur Experiment podcast)03 Aug 202000:42:30

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

This week I had a great chat to Gary Fox, founder of Host Butlers, which is a property concierge service for short-term lettings. What is that, you might ask? Well, picture comprehensive, professional management of your property through Airbnb, offering everything from check-in, all the way to cleaning.

Gary is a passionate believer in doing things well, striving for quality and excellent service in whatever it is you’re doing. His success to date is reflective of this mindset, and he offers advice and insights that any business builder can take on board.

Gary’s enthusiasm for learning, and much like myself, eagerness to highlight the incredible entrepreneurs and business builders in Ireland, led him to start ‘The Entrepreneur Experiment’ podcast.

I left feeling very inspired after this conversation with Gary, and I think you will too!

Find out more about Gary and his podcast ‘The Entrepreneur Experiment’ at https://www.mrgaryfox.com/

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#005: Investing in life - with Will Sparks (SparksWealth)20 Jul 202000:37:43

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

This week I spoke to Will Sparks, whose journey towards becoming a successful financial planner contained big hurdles. 

While at college in UCD, Will overcame immense challenges posed by Dyslexia. Having previously been an admittedly average student, Will knuckled down, worked hard and got into a routine. He surprised even himself when he came first in his class in final year.  

The second hurdle came much later, when Will was working at a top finance firm. The GFC hit and Will was suddenly let go, and out on his own. Determination prevailed once again and he began building his own client list and eventually starting SparksWealth in 2019.

Stay tuned for some inspiring stories of self-discipline and optimism, with a few practical investment gems thrown in too!

Will mentions his favourite finance books:
The Education of a Value Investor by Guy Spier
The Dhandho Investor by Mohnish Pabrai

Find out more about Will and SparksWealth at https://sparkswealth.ie/

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!


#004: Starting Big - with Tom Fox (Fifty-Three Six)12 Jul 202000:38:27

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

This week I chatted to Tom Fox from Fifty-Three Six, a digital strategy agency for sport, with a focus on video.

Tom shares his career story from working with Twitter, all the way to learning how to run campaigns on Facebook for his clients when Fifty-Three Six first started.

A common trait of business builders is having the determination to say ‘we’ll figure it out’, having a desire to make things happen, even if it’s not something they’ve really done before. 

We also talk about the importance of hiring the right people once you’re able to, and creating a positive and inspiring culture in your business.

There are some great technical tips in the episode too, like the importance of creating a  database of factors from your industry and using it to analyse your growth strategy.

Find out more about Tom and Fifty-Three Six at https://www.fiftythreesix.com/

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#003: ‘You are more than your goal’ - with Molly McKeever (Sweaty Soul Living)06 Jul 202000:39:53

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

Attention: There’s a twist at the end of this episode, so stay tuned! 

This week I spoke to Molly McKeever, yoga teacher and founder of Sweaty Soul Studio, a slice of calm in Dublin’s busy IFSC.

Throughout our conversation, Molly generously shares her personal experiences in business.

Molly is the kind of person who thrives off challenges and working hard. But this high-adrenaline ‘fight or flight’ mode is not a sustainable way to live. It’s a common trait of business builders, but Molly states the importance of holding space for yourself. Ultimately, if you are thriving personally, it will be reflected in your business.

Oh, and the big twist. Find out how Molly is future-proofing her business, whilst also staying true to what is important to her.

This is the podcast Molly refers to in our chat: https://apple.co/3gqKbhr

Find out more about Molly and Sweaty Soul here: https://sweatysoulstudio.com/

Connect with Molly on Instagram @mollymckeeveryoga

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#002: Junior's, Paulie's, Lotts, Unify - What will Barry do next? - with Barry McNerney (UnifyOrdering)29 Jun 202000:46:29

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

Junior’s Deli & Cafe. Paulie’s Pizza. Lotts & Co. Can you see a pattern?

Barry McNerney and his brother Paul have built all of these iconic Irish businesses, and I loved hearing Barry’s tales of determination and passion in this interview. 

Starting out as an equity trader, lured to the profession by the slick Wall Street types you'd see in films, Barry soon realised this world wasn't what he'd imagined. His brother Paul being a chef, they decided to try their luck in the restaurant business and opened Junior's. It wasn’t easy, but  Junior’s became a hit with the community, with its authentic, honest, affordable food. 

What's amazing is what Barry and Paul did next. They went on to open Paulie's Pizza and boutique grocer Lotts & Co (all with big challenges along the way which you'll hear about). 

Still, Barry and Paul kept innovating, and seeing the headaches that ordering produce for restaurants presented, created UnifyOrdering. Starting out as a simple app to connect restaurateurs with suppliers, Unify is now available for everyone as a free app to get fresh, local Irish produce delivered to their homes. 

Find out more about UnifyOrdering here: https://www.unifyordering.com/

Connect with Barry on Instagram @barrymcn81

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

#001: Zero to 150 monthly subscribers in 12 months - Brenton Ward (WIZE Mentoring)28 Jun 202000:52:42

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

Brenton is a young entrepreneur and founder of WIZE Mentoring, an online business coaching platform. Initially intended  for accounting firms only, Brenton tells me how his model revealed strategies that all business owners can find useful. That’s probably why he’s achieved a substantial,  international list of clients in such a short amount of time.

Brenton and I have been friends for years and we were able to talk openly about the challenges in starting and growing our own businesses.

We talk about the fact that whether you’re years down the track or just starting out, owning a business is a constant learning experience. Brenton talks about a few books which have helped him along his journey, including:

Losing my Virginity by Richard Branson
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Find out more about WIZE Mentoring here: https://www.wizementoring.com/

Connect with Brenton here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentonward/


Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

Introducing Irish Business Builders22 Jun 202000:00:40

Welcome to Irish Business Builders!

I'm Conor Kearney, the one in the picture, and also the founder of Jetbooks, an online accounting firm for Irish businesses. In this show, I'll be chatting with the people who built Ireland's most loved businesses, from CEO's to restauranteurs, small businesses, big businesses and everything in between.

You'll hear from a new guest each week, so make sure to subscribe to avoid missing out!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.







Acquisition, Software & Potential. Stuart McCaul (Ishikawa Technologies)11 Aug 202500:54:58

Hire world-class accountants and in The Philippines. Visit Outsource Direct to scale your operations with higher flexibility, maximum efficiency and much lower costs.

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In Series 10, Episode #87, I talk to Stuart McCaul, founder of Ishikawa Technologies. Stuart shares his journey from working in software sales to acquiring and scaling software businesses through Ishikawa Technologies. We discuss the importance of founder-led businesses, the process of acquiring such companies, Stuart’s hands-on approach to leadership, and his healthy level of imposter syndrome. Stuart also highlights the importance of remote working, the potential of AI in SaaS, and his involvement with the charity An Taisce.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH STUART:

LinkedIn

Ishikawa Technologies

Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Leadership & Self-Awareness. Greg Clarke (Digicom)04 Aug 202501:21:43

Hire world-class accountants and in The Philippines. Visit Outsource Direct to scale your operations with higher flexibility, maximum efficiency and much lower costs.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

In Series 10, Episode #86, I interview Greg Clarke, founder and CEO of Digicom, a company specialising in high-end video conferencing and AV technology. Greg shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his career as a sales executive in Los Angeles to founding Digicom 28 years ago. Greg discusses challenges such as managing ADHD, the importance of networking through the Chamber of Commerce, and the benefits of mindfulness and Buddhism in his personal and professional growth. He also highlights pivotal moments, including the impact of his brother's death on his decision to start his own business and lessons learned from the Leadership for Growth program. The conversation delves into Greg's leadership style and his continuous efforts to balance client satisfaction, shareholder returns, and employee well-being.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH GREG:

LinkedIn

Digicom

Dublin Chamber

Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Manifest Your Dreams. Rachel Bright (Children's Book Author)28 Jul 202501:24:35

Hire world-class accountants and in The Philippines. Visit Outsource Direct to scale your operations with higher flexibility, maximum efficiency and much lower costs.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

Welcome to Series 10, Episode #85, where I chat to Rachel Bright, a celebrated children's book author and illustrator of such titles as:

  • The Lion Inside
  • The Koala Who Could
  • The Stompysaurus

And many more!

To date, Rachel has sold over 6 million copies of her books. They’ve been translated into 50+ languages and have been adapted for both television and live-theatre. Her self-illustrated, Love Monster, is a major animated series for the BBC and currently has over 20 million downloads.

The film rights to Rachel’s famous title The Lion Inside have been acquired by a BAFTA winning production company and the project is currently in development. 

If that wasn’t enough, Rachel also has an award-winning gifts and stationery business, The Bright Side, selling over 18 million greeting cards and over 6 million gifts on 5 continents.

I came across Rachel’s books while reading to my son and was blown away by her wisdom and the lessons that she’s so kindly passing on to the younger generation. 

The story of Rachel’s success is one of passion, grit and trusting that you’re on the right path even when all the signs are pointing in the opposite direction. 

If you’re a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur or just someone with a dream, get ready to be inspired by the wonderful, Rachel Bright.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH RACHEL:

Rachel Bright Books

The Bright Side - Gifts & Stationery

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Superman (David Corenswet) reads Rachel's first ever published book, "What Does Daddy Do?" on CBeebies Bedtime stories

Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

*RE-RELEASE* #047: Brian Keegan (360 Group)21 Jul 202500:51:51

*This episode was originally aired in April 2022*

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This week I caught up with Brian Keegan. Brian was founder and CEO of a global outsourced payroll company called 360 Group which he started from his one bed flat in London, and grew it to 6 offices in the UK and Ireland, a data-processing centre in India and a £60 million annual revenues.

Brian sold 360 Group in 2018, and has started business coaching, helping entrepreneurs through the journey from the scale-up to stage, to ultimately selling their business.

Brian has embraced the Scaling Up methodology, created by Verne Harnish and the Entrepreneurs Organisation, having used it so successfully in growing and selling the 360 Group.

More about Scaling Up https://www.scalingupglobal.com/

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

*RE-RELEASE* #037: Anne Heraty (CPL Resources PLC)14 Jul 202500:32:10

*This episode was originally aired in June 2021*

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Welcome back to another exciting chat, this time with Anne Heraty, CEO of CPL Resources PLC, a global talent and recruitment company that she started in 1989.

Anne took CPL public 10 years later, and has since grown the company to 570 million euro in annual revenues. 

In this conversation, Anne talks about starting a business in a recession, the positives and negatives of focusing on a niche, and the importance of making the customer of your business, as successful as they can be.

Anne also talks about the recent sale of CPL, to the Japanese group, Outsourcing, for 318 million euro!

Find out more about Anne and CPL Resources here: https://www.cpl.com/ie

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

*RE-RELEASE* #042: Dan Hobbs (Protex)07 Jul 202500:45:04

*This episode was originally aired in November 2021*

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I'm thrilled to welcome Dan Hobbs this week, Co-Founder and CEO of Protex, a software company using artificial intelligence to track safety for industrial employees.

Dan and his Co-Founder Ciarán are recent graduates of Y-Combinator, a start-up incubator based in San Francisco, boasting an enviable track record of finding the next big companies in tech.

Other notable alumni include Airbnb, Dropbox, Reddit, and Stripe!

In this conversation, we cover a host of topics, from Dan’s experience applying to and going through the Y-Combinator programme, raising money from some of the world’s most successful and best-known entrepreneurs, to Dan’s first start-up, which he started at the tender age of 22, and sold a few years later in 2019!

Find out more about Protex: https://www.protex.ai/

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

*RE-RELEASE* #033: Pat Caslin (Exit/Entry)30 Jun 202500:52:35

*This episode was originally aired in May 2021*

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This week I caught up with Pat Caslin. Pat is currently CFO of Exit/Entry and serves as Chairman of Capventus.

In this conversation, we do talk about Pat’s career in business, but I think more importantly, Pat tells us about how a devastating diagnosis led him to discovering Stoic Philosophy and how this diagnosis has ultimately been a gift that has changed his values.

Pat talks about dealing with adversity in life and how to use it to your advantage, and the big question of what is actually important in the end?

Find out more and connect with Pat here: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/1patcaslin

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

*RE-RELEASE* #031: Suzie McAdam (Suzie McAdam Design)23 Jun 202500:40:11

*This episode was originally aired in May 2021*

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Welcome back to Season 4 of Irish Business Builders! I'm excited to be back, and share more inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs, creators and thinkers this season. 

Kicking things off is this wonderful conversation I had with Suzie McAdam.

In this conversation, Suzie talks about failing as an architect before discovering her true passion - Interior Design.

We also talk about Suzie’s journey from start-up designer to managing director of a now, much larger business, and the impact of appearing on Home of the Year and becoming a household name in Irish design.

Find out more about Suzie McAdam Design here: https://www.suziemcadam.com/

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Building the World's Largest Betting Company with Stewart Kenny, Co-Founder of Paddy Power01 Dec 202500:56:45

Former Paddy Power co-founder Stewart Kenny shares a brutally honest account of how he built — and then left — the world’s biggest betting company.
From his father’s influence and early fascination with risk to the creation of Paddy Power’s fearless marketing, Stewart speaks candidly about success, addiction, ethics, and why he ultimately left the industry he helped define.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:
– How Paddy Power became a cultural phenomenon
– The marketing mindset that reshaped betting in Ireland
– What Stewart learned about leadership, ego, and risk
– His reflections on ADHD and entrepreneurship
– Why he left the gambling industry — and what he’d change today

Whether you’re a business builder or just fascinated by the psychology of success, this episode offers one of the most disarmingly honest conversations we’ve ever had.

*RE-RELEASE* #027: Niall Wall (Ardagh Group, Enva)16 Jun 202500:36:20

*This episode was originally aired in February 2021*

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This week I chatted to Niall Wall, Executive Chairman of Enva – a leading provider of waste management and recycling solutions, operating across 30 facilities in the United Kingdom and Ireland, employing over 15 hundred people.

Between 2006 to 2016, Niall was the CEO of the The Ardagh Group, an Irish packaging PLC listed on the New York Stock Exchange. 

Over that ten year period as CEO, Niall and the team grew the business from €650 million to €8 billion in annual revenues.

In this conversation, Niall talks about investing in large public companies, what the key strategies were when growing Ardagh, and the learnings he gained running his very first start-up – a quail farm, in his early 20’s.

Find out more about Enva here: https://enva.com/

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

67K Instagram Followers & Pursuing Multiple Passions. Shay Lally (Houses to Restore)09 Jun 202500:52:42

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In Series 9, Episode #84, I talk to Shay Lally, the man behind the successful social media channel 'Houses to Restore.' Starting the channel during the pandemic, Shay has amassed over 67,000 followers by sharing insights into home renovations and property sales in Ireland. Shay's remarkable journey involves founding The Mobile Music School in 2011, which teaches music to students across 150 primary schools in Ireland, and rebranding his contracting business to 'Renew,' focusing on house renovations and commercial refurbishments. Shay's diverse career spans from playing percussion with the RTE Concert Orchestra to working as a qualified quantity surveyor and managing family businesses. This wide-ranging conversation explores Shay's early start, the challenges of running multiple businesses, and his ultimate aim of moving into property development.

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Buyout, Recovery & Values. Sean Moran (Home Project Centre)02 Jun 202500:55:11

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In Series 9, Episode #83, I interview Sean Moran, CEO of the Home Project Centre Group. Sean shares the story of his career, from growing up in Crumlin, Dublin, to becoming a successful entrepreneur and business leader. He discusses the challenges of navigating the recession, dealing with NAMA, and executing a management buyout to save and grow the business. Sean also talks about his business philosophy, the importance of doing the right thing, and how he plans to step into a chairman role to focus on strategy and future growth.

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Bingo, Entertainment & Global Expansion. Will Meara (Bingo Loco)26 May 202501:22:54

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In Series 9, Episode #82, I talk to Will Meara, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Bingo Loco. Will shares the journey of how Bingo Loco transformed from a spontaneous event in Dublin to a global phenomenon with over 200 sold-out shows weekly across multiple countries. The discussion delves into the challenges of scaling a business, creating a unique competitive advantage, and the importance of investing in talent and operations. Will also offers insights into the dynamics of working with co-founders, the lessons learned from his family, and the future growth plans for Bingo Loco.

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Bingo Loco

Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Bootstrapping, Loyalty & Scaling Up. Harry Girvan (MANTIS)19 May 202500:51:50

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In Series 9, Episode #81, I speak with Harry Girvan, the founder and CEO of the Simplicity Group and MANTIS, about his journey from salesman to successful entrepreneur. Harry discusses the challenges and learnings he faced while bootstrapping his business, emphasising the importance of culture and loyalty within his team. He also introduces his new venture, MANTIS, which aims to solve the problem of high commercial fleet insurance costs through advanced smart camera systems. The episode delves into Harry's decision to seek external investment for the first time to scale MANTIS and expands on the role of the Entrepreneurs Organisation in his journey.

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MANTIS

Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Buy And Build, Integration & Resilience. Brian Honan (Fortus)12 May 202500:56:08

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In Series 9, Episode #80, I talk with Brian Honan, founder and executive chair of Fortus Group. We discuss the challenges and strategies involved in growing a business, focusing on acquiring and integrating companies across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. Brian shares his unique journey from an accidental entrepreneur with Osmosis Technologies to leading Fortus, highlighting critical aspects of leadership, culture, and resilience in the face of significant health issues, including a recent ADHD diagnosis. This episode provides valuable insights on scaling operations, maintaining a family-oriented culture, and navigating the complexities of a buy-and-build strategy with a mix of equity and debt financing.

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Freedom, Realisation & Vision. Rani Dabrai (EOS)05 May 202501:04:40

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In Series 9, Episode #79, I introduce Rani Dabrai, an executive coach and Ireland's only certified implementer of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Rani discusses her journey from founding MissMoneypenny, a virtual assistance business, to becoming a pivotal figure in EOS implementation. She shares key concepts of EOS including vision, traction, and healthy business practices, and emphasises the critical roles of visionaries and integrators within entrepreneurial teams. Rani also reflects on the personal challenges she faced while scaling her business and offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs seeking both financial growth and personal fulfilment.

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EOS Profile

Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Curiosity, Guidance & Interest. Stephen Shortt (ETC Consult)28 Apr 202501:08:30

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In Series 9, Episode #78, I chat with Stephen Shortt, the managing director of ETC Consult. Stephen shares his extensive experience growing up in family businesses, specifically focusing on career guidance, selection services, and psychometric assessments at ETC Consult. Stephen's personal journey, including his strategic involvement in the Entrepreneurs Organisation and his life-changing diagnosis of diabetes, underscores the significance of aligning business practices with personal fulfilment. The conversation also delves into the Happy People Project, a new initiative aimed at fostering happiness and providing practical tools to improve work-life balance through measurable action plans.

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ETC Consult

Happy People Project

Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Courage, Fulfilment & Change. Paul Ryan (Temple & The One-Hour CEO)21 Apr 202501:24:17

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In Series 9, Episode #77, I interview Paul Ryan, CEO of Temple, about his journey in building an IT distribution business that generates eight-figure annual revenues while Paul works just one hour a week. Paul shares his experiences and insights about overcoming stress, finding personal fulfilment, and the importance of focusing on both professional success and personal well-being. He discusses the significance of creating a strong company culture, the challenges of making courageous decisions, and his passion for personal development. Paul also talks about his podcast, The Inner Entrepreneur, and his approach to balancing various aspects of life, including family, personal growth, and wealth.

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CONNECT WITH PAUL:

The One Hour CEO

The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast

Apple Podcasts

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Culture, Trust & Growing The Family Business. Barry Shevlin (Global Home Improvements)14 Apr 202500:50:07

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In Series 9, Episode #76, I interview Barry Shevlin, Managing Director at Global Home Improvements. Barry discusses his journey from avoiding his family's business to transforming it into a customer-centric powerhouse. Key topics include the importance of respect and honesty in business and the role of vision and culture in sustained business success. Barry also shares insights on balancing work and personal life, the value of learning from industry leaders like Feargal Quinn, and strategies for fostering a positive company culture.

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

An MBO, Scaling through Acquisition and Managing Risk with Niall Jones (AIR Group)24 Nov 202500:50:06

Niall Jones, co-owner of Anglo Irish Refrigeration, joins host Conor Kearney to share his journey from redundancy to running a €30M+ business. In this episode, Niall gets candid about the personal risks of buying a company, the adrenaline of nonstop growth, and how culture—not spreadsheets—has become his most powerful business tool. If you’re interested in acquisitions, scaling SMEs, or what it really takes to grow a service-heavy business, this is an essential listen.

A $135 Million Exit, Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Jerry Kennelly (Stockbyte/Tweak)07 Apr 202500:47:36

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Welcome to Series 9, Episode #75, where I interview Jerry Kennelly, founder and CEO of Tweak, a productivity platform for marketers. Jerry shares his journey from growing up in County Kerry and dropping out of school to work in the family newspaper business, to his success as a photojournalist, and eventually creating the multimillion-dollar business Stockbyte, which he sold to Getty Images for $135 million. He discusses the challenges he faced, the relentless pursuit of business innovation, and his efforts to foster entrepreneurship in Ireland, including the establishment of the Junior Entrepreneur Program. Jerry also shares insights on the balance of work and life, the importance of community, and the motivational aspects of entrepreneurship.

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Discover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

*RE-RELEASE* #034: Brian & Rachel Nolan (Nobó)31 Mar 202500:42:54

*This episode was originally aired in May 2021*

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Today's episode is very special, because I caught up with Brian and Rachel from Nobó, an Irish food company creating delicious treats such as dairy-free ice cream and chocolate, with as little as 5 ingredients.

The couple started the business in 2012 and have since grown Nobó into an international brand, with even bigger future ambitions!

Rachel and Brian talk to me about what it was like to leave their secure jobs in New York to come back home to Ireland and sell ice-cream at farmers markets.

We chat about the ups, the downs, and the many challenges they’ve encountered along their journey.

Find out more about Nobó here: https://www.nobo.ie/

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Support Neurodiversity Ireland—an organisation committed to promoting understanding and advocacy for individuals with neurodiverse conditions  like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.  Neurodiversity Ireland  works to create a more inclusive society through community support and educational programs. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at neurodiversityireland.com. Together, we can make a difference!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Advocacy, Confidence & Dyslexia. Dairine Kennedy & Emma Maye (Neurodiversity Ireland)24 Mar 202500:58:01

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In Episode #74 of Series 8, I speak with Dairine Kennedy, co-founder of Neurodiversity Ireland, and Emma Maye, CEO of Ardale Property Group and Core Building Providers. Both accomplished businesswomen and winners of prestigious awards, Dairine and Emma share their personal experiences with dyslexia, the challenges they faced in school, and how embracing neurodiversity has shaped their careers. They emphasise the importance of self-kindness, tailored support systems in schools, and the role of advocacy in promoting acceptance of neurodiverse conditions. The discussion also highlights Neurodiversity Ireland's mission to create a more inclusive environment for neurodivergent individuals through community support and educational initiatives.

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Dairine LinkedIn

Emma LinkedIn

Support Neurodiversity Ireland—an organisation committed to promoting understanding and advocacy for individuals with neurodiverse conditions  like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.  Neurodiversity Ireland  works to create a more inclusive society through community support and educational programs. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at neurodiversityireland.com. Together, we can make a difference!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Art, Balance & Influence. Jerome O'Drisceoil (Green On Red Gallery)17 Mar 202501:06:47

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In Episode #73 of Series 8, I interview Jerome O'Drisceoil, owner of the Green On Red Gallery in Dublin. Jerome shares his journey from training to be a priest to becoming an art gallerist, highlighting the challenges he faced along the way. He discusses the evolving nature of the art industry, the highs and lows of running a gallery, the complexities of art interpretation, the role of private collectors, and the financial difficulties of sustaining an art business in Ireland.

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Support Neurodiversity Ireland—an organisation committed to promoting understanding and advocacy for individuals with neurodiverse conditions  like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.  Neurodiversity Ireland  works to create a more inclusive society through community support and educational programs. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at neurodiversityireland.com. Together, we can make a difference!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Detail, Grit & Vision. Alan Merriman (Elkstone)10 Mar 202500:59:47

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In Episode #72 of Series 8, I talk with Alan Merriman, founder of Elkstone, Ireland's leading alternative investment firm. The episode delves into Alan's career transitions, from being a partner at PWC to founding Elkstone, his approach to venture investment, the need for diversified portfolios, and the opportunities in the Irish economy. Alan shares personal insights on leadership, the significance of grit and resilience, building a strong team, and the role of failure and risk in achieving success. The conversation also touches upon the challenges in the Irish housing market and Elkstone's efforts to address these through strategic investments and collaborations.

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Support Neurodiversity Ireland—an organisation committed to promoting understanding and advocacy for individuals with neurodiverse conditions  like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.  Neurodiversity Ireland  works to create a more inclusive society through community support and educational programs. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at neurodiversityireland.com. Together, we can make a difference!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.


Learning, Passion & Scaling. Lorraine Corcoran (Nyrah Beauty)03 Mar 202501:20:46

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In Episode #71 of Series 8, I interview Lorraine Corcoran, Co-founder and CEO of Nyrah Beauty. Lorraine shares her journey from a chartered engineer to an entrepreneur in the beauty industry, highlighting the challenges and successes she faced while launching and scaling Nyrah Beauty. The discussion covers her transition from B2B to B2C, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her business, and how she leveraged her technical background to create a skincare brand focused on plant-based, active ingredients. 

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Support Neurodiversity Ireland—an organisation committed to promoting understanding and advocacy for individuals with neurodiverse conditions  like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.  Neurodiversity Ireland  works to create a more inclusive society through community support and educational programs. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at neurodiversityireland.com. Together, we can make a difference!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Investment Strategies, Opportunities & Sustainability. Philip Gardiner (Foresight)24 Feb 202501:07:47

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In Episode #70 of Series 8, I interview Philip Gardiner, an investment director at Foresight Group. They discuss Philip's journey from banking into private equity, emphasising the crucial role of sustainability in business growth. Philip explains Foresight's investment strategies, highlighting their regional focus and support for SMEs in Ireland and the UK. The conversation covers the challenges of transitioning from founder-led businesses to scalable operations, the importance of hiring the right people, and the value of experience and strategic support in driving company success.

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Website

Support Neurodiversity Ireland—an organisation committed to promoting understanding and advocacy for individuals with neurodiverse conditions  like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.  Neurodiversity Ireland  works to create a more inclusive society through community support and educational programs. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at neurodiversityireland.com. Together, we can make a difference!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Resilience, Values & Luck. John Cunningham (Complex Nutrition)17 Feb 202501:23:30

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In Episode #69 of Series 8, I interview John Cunningham, founder and managing director of Complex Nutrition and Epicom. John shares his extensive experience in scaling successful businesses, navigating through crises, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. The discussion covers topics including cultural shifts within businesses, the importance of family, and dealing with financial challenges.

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CONNECT WITH JOHN:

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Support Neurodiversity Ireland—an organisation committed to promoting understanding and advocacy for individuals with neurodiverse conditions  like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.  Neurodiversity Ireland  works to create a more inclusive society through community support and educational programs. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at neurodiversityireland.com. Together, we can make a difference!

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