Business Builders

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 #92, I sit down with Ross Keating, founder of The Lennox Academy, a sales training business that has achieved six-figure monthly revenues within two and a half years. Ross shares his journey from door-to-door sales to founding The Lennox Academy, detailing his strategies for building an effective sales team and marketing via LinkedIn. He emphasises the importance of a repeatable and scalable business model, offers insights into his content distribution strategy, and outlines his plans for launching two new ventures: The Arena, a community for sales leaders, and Overpath AI, an AI agent service for sales teams.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH ROSS:

LinkedIn

The Lennox Academy

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.

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 #91, I interview Laura McDermott, Founder and CEO of Colectivo, a sustainability consultancy. The discussion covers various aspects of Colectivo's services, including advancing sustainability strategies, implementing change programs, and redesigning products and services. Laura shares her journey from living in Spain to establishing Colectivo in Ireland, the benefits of the adjunct consultancy model, and her passion for design innovation in sustainability. We also explore the challenges Laura faced in rebuilding her local business network after returning to Ireland and the importance of mindfulness and journaling in maintaining focus and calm under pressure.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH LAURA:

LinkedIn

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.

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 #90, I sit down with Ciaran Marron, founder and CEO of Activ8 Solar Energies. Ciaran shares his incredible journey of starting from a makeshift office in a rented house's back bedroom to building a large-scale solar energy business with over 300 staff and a turnover of 70 million euros. He discusses overcoming early challenges like cash flow issues, adapting to market changes, and scaling operations across Ireland, the UK, and Europe. Ciaran also touches on his risky yet successful ventures, including landing a crucial deal with SSE Arena and forging a strategic partnership with SSE Airtricity.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH CIARAN:

LinkedIn

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.

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 #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:

LinkedIn

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.

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 #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.

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 #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.

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.

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

Instagram

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.

*This episode was originally aired in April 2022*

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.

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/

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

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.

*This episode was originally aired in June 2021*

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 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

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

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.