*This episode was originally aired in November 2020*

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 Norman Crowley, a successful serial entrepreneur who is doing remarkable things in business and in environmental awareness.

Norman Crowley founded and sold 3 businesses with a total worth of $750million before the age of 40. Norman actually retired at the age of 28, but as you'll hear in our conversation, that was short lived. Under the Cool Planet Group, Norman has several businesses that all share the goal of creating a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future. We talk about why having a mission in business is so important and Norman's drive to do good for the planet.

Find out more about Norman Crowley and The Cool Planet Group here:
https://www.coolplanetgroup.ie/about

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!

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

*This episode was originally aired in September 2020*

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!

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

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.

Series 7, Episode #62 features a bonus conversation with Dr. Jack Skeen, a psychologist and executive coach. Skeen discusses his process of helping successful individuals find meaning and fulfilment beyond material success. He emphasises the importance of self-discovery, aligning with one's true self, and using personal superpowers for global benefit. Skeen shares anecdotes from his work, including helping people like Mohnish Pabrai and refers to figures like Genghis Khan, Elon Musk, and Steve Jobs to illustrate alignment with one's purpose.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH JACK:

Website

LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

Support mental health awareness with Brent Pope’s “Elephant in the Room” initiative. Join the movement to de-stigmatise mental health conversations in the workplace and beyond. Adopt an elephant sculpture and show your commitment to creating a supportive environment for everyone. Visit www.elephantintheroom.ie to learn more and get involved.

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.

In Series 7, Episode #61, I talk with renowned sports broadcaster Brent Pope. Brent opens up about his battle with anxiety and depression and introduces his inspiring initiative, 'The Elephant in the Room'. This movement uses symbolic elephant sculptures to foster open discussions about mental health within organisations. Brent underlines the significance of addressing mental health issues, sharing personal stories to highlight the role of vulnerability, kindness, and support in recovery. The conversation also touches upon the global impact of the movement and encourages collective participation in promoting mental well-being.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH BRENT:

Linkedin

Elephant in the Room

Support mental health awareness with Brent Pope’s “Elephant in the Room” initiative. Join the movement to de-stigmatise mental health conversations in the workplace and beyond. Adopt an elephant sculpture and show your commitment to creating a supportive environment for everyone. Visit www.elephantintheroom.ie to learn more and get involved.

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.

Series 7, Episode #60 features in-depth insights from Tommy Breen, former CEO of DCC, as he discusses his career journey, the significance of cultural values, and overcoming challenges such as the 2008 financial crisis. Tommy also reflects on the sacrifices made by his family, particularly his wife Fiona, due to his career demands and shares his philosophy on continuous improvement and looking forward.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

Support mental health awareness with Brent Pope’s “Elephant in the Room” initiative. Join the movement to de-stigmatise mental health conversations in the workplace and beyond. Adopt an elephant sculpture and show your commitment to creating a supportive environment for everyone. Visit www.elephantintheroom.ie to learn more and get involved.

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.

In Series 7, Episode #59, I sit down with Neil Skeffington, founder and CEO of Novelplast, a pioneering recycling company in Ireland. Neil shares his journey from studying polymer engineering to building a multimillion-euro business that tackles plastic waste by converting post-industrial and post-consumer materials into reusable pellets. He discusses the challenges of raising capital, the reality of plastic recycling, and the motivations behind his commitment to sustainable practices. This conversation delves into the complexities of the recycling industry, the importance of resilience and innovation in business, and Neil's vision for a future where waste is seen as a valuable resource.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

NOVELPLAST:

LinkedIn

Website

Support mental health awareness with Brent Pope’s “Elephant in the Room” initiative. Join the movement to de-stigmatise mental health conversations in the workplace and beyond. Adopt an elephant sculpture and show your commitment to creating a supportive environment for everyone. Visit www.elephantintheroom.ie to learn more and get involved.

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.

In Series 7, Episode #58, I sit down with Lulu O'Sullivan, the founder of successful e-commerce brands GiftsDirect.com and TheIrishStore.com. Lulu shares insights from her entrepreneurial journey, starting with a small budget and pioneering one of Ireland's first e-commerce websites. She discusses the importance of customer service, the impact of culture over strategy, and lessons learned from challenges faced while scaling her business. O'Sullivan recounts her experience with the Leadership for Growth program at Stanford, which led to the creation of The Irish Store and further growth strategies.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

LULU'S LINKS:

Gifts Direct

The Irish Store

Support mental health awareness with Brent Pope’s “Elephant in the Room” initiative. Join the movement to de-stigmatise mental health conversations in the workplace and beyond. Adopt an elephant sculpture and show your commitment to creating a supportive environment for everyone. Visit www.elephantintheroom.ie to learn more and get involved.

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

In Series 7, Episode #57, I interview Charles Cosgrave, owner and CEO of Village Vets, the largest independent vet practice group in Ireland. Charles shares his journey from a practising vet to a successful entrepreneur, detailing his early inspirations from his veterinary roots, his transformative experience in the UK, and the ambitious growth of Village Vets from just two locations to a thriving network of 20 clinics. He also discusses the challenges of balancing veterinary practice with business management, the importance of professionalising operations, and his vision for the future, including technological advancements and nationwide expansion.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

VILLAGE VETS:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Support mental health awareness with Brent Pope’s “Elephant in the Room” initiative. Join the movement to de-stigmatise mental health conversations in the workplace and beyond. Adopt an elephant sculpture and show your commitment to creating a supportive environment for everyone. Visit www.elephantintheroom.ie to learn more and get involved.

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

In Series 7, Episode #56, I speak with Laura Weldon, owner of Honey Honey Cafes, now with three locations in Dublin. Laura discusses her entrepreneurial journey, from her initial foray into business in 2018 to overcoming various challenges, including the impact of COVID-19. She elaborates on the importance of learning by doing, allowing customers to shape the brand, and the necessity of loving what you do. Additionally, Laura shares insights on scaling a business, the value of investing in technology and people, and balancing hard work with smart decision-making.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:

LinkedIn

HONEY HONEY CAFE:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Support mental health awareness with Brent Pope’s “Elephant in the Room” initiative. Join the movement to de-stigmatise mental health conversations in the workplace and beyond. Adopt an elephant sculpture and show your commitment to creating a supportive environment for everyone. Visit www.elephantintheroom.ie to learn more and get involved.

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

In Series 7, Episode #55, I speak with Barry Drennan about his extraordinary journey from mechanic to entrepreneur. Barry discusses transitioning from selling and servicing golf course machinery to founding his own business and how he successfully navigated the 2008 financial crisis by pivoting to a leasing model. Barry also delves into managing staff, creating a sustainable retirement plan through pensions and property investments, and balancing his professional life and personal passions such as running ultramarathons. Highlighting the mental and physical challenges of ultra running, the camaraderie among runners, and the profound life lessons he's learned along the way, Barry’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and finding passion in every aspect of life.

CONNECT WITH CONOR:
LinkedIn

Support mental health awareness with Brent Pope’s “Elephant in the Room” initiative. Join the movement to de-stigmatise mental health conversations in the workplace and beyond. Adopt an elephant sculpture and show your commitment to creating a supportive environment for everyone. Visit www.elephantintheroom.ie to learn more and get involved.