An Entrepreneur Like You

This month's podcast we meet the unstoppable Margaret Hoctor from Kilmullen Farm in Wicklow, not just lamb but also running a horse livery business, apple juice, seasonal sweetcorn, TV location work and much much more.

In Dublin we say "you don't lick it off the path" and for Margaret it all started with her mother's shop in the 1960s where she saw how authentic interaction is at the heart of a successful business.

From Ireland to Belgravia, working her way up as a nanny in the 1980s she explored her passions, attending exclusive London parties, studying acting and being mentored by some of the best.

In her work at the Innovation Academy she is a firm favourite for her 'Margaretisms' a no holds barred approach to innovation and entrepreneurialism. Much beloved, she helps hundreds of students find their way into creating the business of their dreams .

This month's podcast we meet the incredible Karen Grehan.

Ever wondered how to build a business and brand whilst raising your kids ?

Karen created a lash business / training academy and brand after a devastating betrayal.

We talk 'everything eyelashes', and how to be a Mompreneur with 5 children and make it all work.

Karen is an award winning Lash educator and now mentoring women to create their own revenue streams and empower themselves.

Truly authentic, confident and marching to the beat of her own drum. A true gem.

Join us for A No F*cks given approach with not one but TWO trailblazing feminist authors - New podcast out today !

I had such a blast with Barbara Scully; author of ‘Wise Up: Power, Wisdom, and the Older Woman’ Barbara believes we should 'Embrace Our Inner Crone' and start thinking about what we want to do with our golden time of Post-Menopausal freedom. Her book is a call to the 'Grey Army' to lead the way for the next generations. Her mantra is 'Embrace your Age but Don't be Defined by it'

We also meet the incredible author, Alana Kirk. A no holds barred chat where Alana tells us that ‘As we move past the nurturing role we need to give birth back to ourselves…

And why ‘having it all feels a lot like doing it all.’ Alana believes women have a responsibility to our children to show them that  there is more to life than hanging on by our fingernails trying to conform to all the myriad roles and asking the fundamental question of 'What do I want and need right now?'

Her book is ‘Midlife Redefined: Better, Bolder, Brighter’

Read them – you won’t regret it !

This month I had the privilege of chatting with Brian Downes from 'Performance Nerds'.

An 'intrepid traveller' with a remarkable story - from a career in accountancy in Limerick to doing business in West Africa culminating in many adventures not least getting arrested and finding himself involved in a sting operation in Ghana. Brian talks about how fundamental it is to align your values to what you do, how you spend your time and who you spend your time with.  A vibrant speaker with strong entrepreneurial spirit, a love of mountains and a fascinbation with people across the globe. Brian is an expert in leadership with 66 countries under his belt and more to come - with his latest crossing 100 miles of frozen lake in Mongolia. Tune in - you wont regret it !

https://www.performancenerds.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianpdownes/

This month I interviewed Liz Gleeson, a psychotherapist who specialises in grief and loss. We had a beautiful chat about life, changes, fulfilment and purpose. Liz won a Social Impact Award for her company Shapes of Grief; which offers one of the best professional trainings in grief and loss for mental health and behavioural health professionals, delivered by twenty-six of the world’s leading experts in grief and loss. A true maverick in the field of change, do have a listen! 

In this month's podcast we meet the iconic Jack Healy - a maverick in branding and a real life rockstar ! Originating from West Clare (replete with music, poitin and bags of turf) and moving through NCAD studying viz com, Jack ended up in Italy working with the amazing Massimo Dolcini and thus a love affair with Italy began. Starting with Robert Plant dressed in leather to being Pavarotti's neighbour - we then delve deep into the advertising and branding business where Jack found a home with Saatchi & Saatchi. Moving on to co-found his own advertising agency and into the entrepreneurial space Jack spills the beans on why good branding works and much more. His current band is Bone Machine and he tells us how it came to be that they became a Tom Waits Tribute band with a nod from the big man himself. A true gem of a chat with a rockstar and a gentleman. Do give it a listen!

Have you dreamed of leaving a corporate career but are worried about taking the leap ? Are you spinning a thousand plates and wondering if life has to be this way ? Then this podcast is for you - Loretta Dignam saw a gap in the market and created Ireland’s First Dedicated Menopause Clinic.

Loretta visualised a different future for herself and made it happen, harnessing personal circumstances and physiological change and combining them with a passion for helping women be as healthy as possible as they approach 50 and beyond.

We chat about being in the best shape of your life and how complex life can be - and the opportunities being 50 can bring - how will you head into the latter portion - and in the words of Mary Oliver 'What will you do with your one wild and precious life?'

A rip roaring and candid chat with Natalie B Coleman - fashion designer and activist. We discuss what feminism is for... how we change the narrative - the socialisation of genders, as well as period poverty, slow fashion, sheelagh na gigs, sustainability and the curiosity of being human 

With a PhD in flamingos - Eileen Diskin is also known by her colleagues as Dr of Play - championing creativity and innovation at every level. Eileen is the Education Innovation lead in UCD's Innovation Academy and recently designed a fantastic new course in sustainability. With her trusty pooch, Noodle by her side, Eileen takes us on a wonderful journey through the challenges of education, into living an authentic and passionate life from Stateside to Ireland. This is a Christmas story - come join us !

Have you ever dreamed of taking an idea and turning it into millions ?