“Start with listening. If you get that right, everything else falls into place.” – Elaine Hennessy

In this episode, Elaine Carroll sits down with Elaine Hennessy, Founder & Creative Director of Little Blue Studio, a web design studio known for turning brand stories into meaningful digital experiences.

Elaine shares how she launched the studio in the aftermath of the 2008 crash, why the name “Little Blue” reflects connection and warmth, and how her team grew into specialists trusted by tourism bodies, education partners and businesses across Ireland.

She breaks down the essentials of strong branding: clarity, personality, values and simple language and explains why listening is the most underrated business skill. They also explore the next major shift for Irish SMEs: website accessibility and what the new EU standards mean for every business owner.

If you’re building your brand, leading a team, or trying to blend creativity with strategy, this conversation is rich with practical insights you can use right away.

Highlights:

• The leap from employment to entrepreneurship after the 2008 crash.

• Why “Little” and “Blue” capture the heart of their brand.

• What brand personality really means and how to define yours.

• The power of storytelling in building trust and connection.

• Why simple language sells better than clever language.

• The biggest branding mistake businesses make.

• Boundaries, team culture and the art of choosing the right clients.

• What’s next: website accessibility and the future of digital.

A warm, inspiring look at creativity, clarity and leading with heart the Little Blue Studio way.

“Get sleep under control and everything else gets easier: energy, food, movement, life.” - Elaine Ellis, Co-Founder, Sentro Labs.

In this episode, CEO Elaine Carroll talks with Elaine Ellis about launching Sentro Labs, an Irish, evidence-led supplement brand focused on sleep, stress, gut and hormonal health. We dig into why transparency (clear dosages, cited studies) and Irish manufacturing matter, how Sentro scaled from one SKU D2C to nationwide stockists, and what TikTok Shop changed about growth.

👉 Tune in for practical, evidence-driven tactics to build trust, ship better products, and scale smart.

In this episode of AIBF Business Talk, host Elaine Carroll, CEO of the All-Ireland Business Foundation, sits down with Adrian Godwin, Managing Director of Oaktree Financial Services - a name synonymous with trust, transparency, and community spirit.

Adrian shares his journey of building a firm grounded in genuine care for clients and a culture of teamwork. From the importance of protecting your own financial wellbeing as a business owner to leading with empathy, Adrian’s insights remind us that real success is about more than profit - it’s about people.

> “It’s not just about sell, sell, sell. It’s about listening to our clients.”

“Never be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s in business or life, that’s how we grow.”

“If you don’t take your head out of the weeds and look over the field, you could miss what really matters.”

Adrian also talks about his upcoming Charity Gala Ball supporting ARC Cancer Support House and the Eating Disorder Centre Cork - two causes close to his heart.

> “We wanted to give back on a bigger scale this year. It’s about creating comfort and care for families going through difficult times.”

💫 Listen to the full conversation to hear how entrepreneurship, compassion, and community come together at Oaktree Financial Services.

🎧 Tune in now to AIBF Business Talk - where Ireland’s leading business minds share insights, ideas and inspiration.

👉 Want to support the cause?Get your tickets or raffle entries for the Gala Ball at www.oaktreefinancial.ie