“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.