On this weeks Episode I speak to a County Meath Man who has been living and working in New York for over 40 years.  Pete O’Connell owns and runs numerous successful bars and restaurants in  Manhattan and having moved here in 1977, has many years of experience navigating the New York City Hospitality industry.

I feel it's so important to listen and learn from people like Pete because he has been  Navigating New York for decades and has a very interesting and broad perspective on life here. Pete has not only survived for 40 years in New York but has thrived and learned and reinvented himself many times to keep his businesses relevant and successful.

Of course, what we can also learn from Pete is the resilience it takes to make it here. Pete speaks really openly in our conversations about how the stumbling blocks become the stepping stones to achieving our goals in life.  We have a candid conversation about the challenges of being a young immigrant working in the hospitality industry and how Pete himself got lost for a time on his journey  due to alcohol. 

Pete is so honest and open about the challenges he faced with the lifestyle he lead in New York for many years, how he spent a bit of time in prison and how he ended up going home to Ireland to eventually sober up and has now not had a drink in 23 years.

What I find particularly special about Pete is his willingness to help other people struggling, his gift is that through his own experience he can help others not feel so alone or ashamed of whatever it might be that they are struggling with. He has a wonderful way with words and a powerful message.

 We recorded in one of his establishments, the BlueBell Café on 22nd and 3rd Avenue and it was my first in-person podcast! However I think my microphone was off and there was a little too much background noise but I did my best with the edit and as Pete says, "we live and we learn"...

Next door to the BlueBell is Molly's Shebeen which is a beautiful old style Irish Pub and Restaurant with delicious food. Pete, at the young age of 73 is always trying new things and has now starting a new Vegan venture with a business partner Michelle Morgan;  Tiger Lilly  - available for pick up and delivery  atThetigerlillyktchen.com

 It was a real privilege to have Pete on the Podcast - I hope you enjoy!

Support the show

Navigating New York is proudly sponsored by Amvoy Wealth: a Cross Border Financial Planning Firm specialising in assisting Irish citizens with financial interest in Ireland and the United States. Get in touch today: [email protected] / www.amvoywealth.com

Please rate & review wherever you listen. Thank you to my incredible video producer Adrian Mullan: https://www.ampedvision.com.au/

Subscribe to Navigating New York Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingNewYork

And if you would like to support the Podcast you can at buymeacoffee.com

Happy St. Patrick’s week everyone! This week's Episode is a little different, I have not one, not two, but THREE  amazing guests. Given the week that’s in it, I thought what better way to celebrate Irish people who are #NavigatingNewYork than to feature three Business Owners who have held on to their hats over the past 12 months. Each of my guests have not just kept their heads above water over the past year but have reshaped the way they do business, I so admire how they each have kept going and kept focused in spite of the major setbacks brought about by the pandemic. 

I know when everything reopens we will be keen to support our own, and I’m so happy to have a little platform here to share these short but inspirational conversations.

First up:  Katie Daly!
Katie is the founder and owner of Katie Daly’s Ireland,  an Ireland destination specialist that captures Ireland, its people and its experiences, in carefully hand-crafted, custom-made unique tours for individuals and small groups. Katie has 20 years experience in the tourism industry and her expertise in planning once in a life time, magical, curated tours of Ireland is unparalleled. Katie's ability to do business has been entirely halted by the ban on International travel, but she has not stopped ensuring her brand is at its best for wen travel resumes.  Her love and knowledge for Ireland shines through on her instagram and twitter pages @katiedalysireland

Second up: Cathal Moore!
When I think of Cathal, the saying "A One Man Band" comes to mind. Cathal owns "Moore PA Hire" which in my mind is New York City's Premiere Production Company. Cathal and his small team run Audio, Visual and Lighting for large scale corporate events in New York City and his production quality is top notch. Now, due to the pandemic and the lack of any "Live Events" Cathal completely "up skilled" and now Moore PA Hire are Specialists in Virtual Event Streaming, Studio & Green Screen and Broadcasting. He has been hired to host global conferences and live events from his Studio in Queens - and they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks! I joke! Find Cathal at Moorepahire.com or @MoorePAHire on twitter and facebook. 

Thirdly: Sarah Riney!
Sarah Riney is the beauty and brains behind "Clover and Ivy Events" her US based wedding & event planning business. Clover & Ivy Events provide full or partial planning services for weddings and events in New York, Connecticut & overseas in Ireland. They work with clients to build custom packages to suit their budget requirements, and to provide a seamless and memorable experience for any event. Sarah was born in Queens but spent half of her life in Ireland, she had a true Irish American upbringing and she brings that love for both places in to panning the dream wedding for her clients in Ireland, New York and Connecticut. Although many wedding had to be cancelled, Sarah has been building up her business in a variety of ways to cater for the new way in which events can happen. Brides-to-be, this ones for you!
Sarah can be found at cloverandivyevents.com  and @cloverandivyevents  on social media. 

Thanks for listening

Support the show

Navigating New York is proudly sponsored by Amvoy Wealth: a Cross Border Financial Planning Firm specialising in assisting Irish citizens with financial interest in Ireland and the United States. Get in touch today: [email protected] / www.amvoywealth.com

Please rate & review wherever you listen. Thank you to my incredible video producer Adrian Mullan: https://www.ampedvision.com.au/

Subscribe to Navigating New York Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingNewYork

And if you would like to support the Podcast you can at buymeacoffee.com

On this weeks Episode I chat to Career Consultant and Entrepreneur Lynda Barry. Lynda runs her own career consulting business "Lynda Barry Career Consulting" and has extensive experience as a Recruiter and Career Advisor in Dublin, London and New York. Lynda is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin where she completed a Masters in Career and Guidance Counselling and has been Consulting as a Career Specialist for over 10 years’.

Lynda specializes in career advice, supporting individuals and corporates, navigating career journeys including career selection, career progression, career change and career transition stages. Lynda utilizes her experience to support clients in clarifying and accessing their ideal career route while also proactively overcoming career dilemmas and identifying career opportunities, across multiple industries and disciplines. Lynda conducts 1:1 and Group Career Consultations, for both individual and Corporate clients. 

I met Lynda last year in New York and was blown away by her experience and knowledge on the most terrifying topic ever – career change! In this episode we chat about Lynda's move home to Ireland from New York during the pandemic and we talk about some of the services she provides for her clients. We discuss some of the common roadblocks we face and often place in front of our own growth and development in our careers, as well as navigating career change and difficult working conditions. 

Lynda has a wealth of experience and a passion for helping people who are on the job hunt, are trying to "up skill" but don’t know how, or are just curious about the opportunities out there. I really encourage you to reach out to Lynda if you're struggling to navigate your career or feel like you would like to explore new options

Lynda can be found on Instagram @Lyndabarry_careerconsulting or you can get in touch by email: [email protected]

And while we are at it, you can also  find the podcast page on Instagram @navigating_newyork to keep up with episodes, the #Sundaysessions music series,  or if you want to get in touch for any reason. I hope you are as enlightened as I am from this conversation. 

Support the show

Navigating New York is proudly sponsored by Amvoy Wealth: a Cross Border Financial Planning Firm specialising in assisting Irish citizens with financial interest in Ireland and the United States. Get in touch today: [email protected] / www.amvoywealth.com

Please rate & review wherever you listen. Thank you to my incredible video producer Adrian Mullan: https://www.ampedvision.com.au/

Subscribe to Navigating New York Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingNewYork

And if you would like to support the Podcast you can at buymeacoffee.com

On this weeks Episode I talk to my dear friend Don O’Neill. Don, who is originally from Ballyheigue in County Kerry has been living in New York for 28 years. Don is one of Irelands most successful and beloved Fashion Designers and has dressed some of the worlds biggest Celebrities including, Orprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle, Taylor Swift, Khloe Kardashian and Carrie Underwood, to name a few.

Don originally trained as a Chef but soon after graduation he followed his true passion in fashion and design, after winning a full tuition scholarship to the Barbara Bourke College of Fashion in Dublin. Don worked in London and then Paris where he met his husband Pascal before finally settling in New York 28 years ago.

Don not only creates exquisite bridal gowns and couture collections that allow the women wearing them to feel like goddesses and light up a room, but he also inspires anyone he meets to spread love and light and kindness, just as he does,

Like  so many industries Covid has radically changed the Fashion Industry, and the label Don created many years ago “THEIA” “meaning "Goddess of Light” in Greek Mythology, decided to go in a different direction, completely reshaping its design team and management...  leaving Don at a challenging point in his life and career.

In this conversation we talk about how our identities are often tied to our work and the struggle of breaking away from that mindset. We also chat about Dons upcoming book, his journey in fashion, his sexuality and spirituality, losing his mum and his love for Ireland. 

I can’t thank Don enough for being so open with me for this episode, and just a heads up, it gets a little bit emotional at times but I think you will be touched and inspired by what a talented and unique person Don is. I hope that no matter what challenges you may be facing that you can be inspired by Dons faith, honesty and vulnerability as we talk about how he is currently navigating an uncertain part of his own journey in New York.

Support the show

Navigating New York is proudly sponsored by Amvoy Wealth: a Cross Border Financial Planning Firm specialising in assisting Irish citizens with financial interest in Ireland and the United States. Get in touch today: [email protected] / www.amvoywealth.com

Please rate & review wherever you listen. Thank you to my incredible video producer Adrian Mullan: https://www.ampedvision.com.au/

Subscribe to Navigating New York Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingNewYork

And if you would like to support the Podcast you can at buymeacoffee.com

On this weeks Episode I chat with Mary O’Halloran, a Mayo woman who has been living in New York for 30 years.  Mary is the proud owner of 'Mary O’s' bar and restaurant located in Alphabet City on the Lower East Side. Mary has been in the news recently for her delicious home-made Irish soda bread scones that she has been baking in Mary O’s Kitchen and mailing all over the United States while her bar has been closed due to Covid.  Mary has been doing some incredible charitable work while her bar is closed including making masks, baking scones and cooking home-made hot meals for frontline staff and homeless charities in her neighborhood. 

Mary has made headlines with her baking and was recently on New York 1 News as well as RTE 2FM at home in Ireland. Her scones are being ordered and sent to California and beyond! 

'Mary O’s' has been a popular NYC local since opening in 2009 , we chat about how special a place it is, as well as the hard work she has put in there for over a decade resulting in it being an extremely popular (and very well-reviewed) bar and restaurant in Manhattan.

Mary is so inspirational because on top of running her own business, she has raised her 6 kids in Manhattan. We chat about the pros and cons of raising a family in New York and her temporary move home to Ireland. 

I caught up with Mary while she was baking scones in her kitchen so please forgive a few sound glitches we had. Mary’s delicious scones can be ordered through her website maryos.nyc - they are the perfect present for friends or family over the month of March. I love how positive and hardworking Mary is and I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did. 

Support the show

Navigating New York is proudly sponsored by Amvoy Wealth: a Cross Border Financial Planning Firm specialising in assisting Irish citizens with financial interest in Ireland and the United States. Get in touch today: [email protected] / www.amvoywealth.com

Please rate & review wherever you listen. Thank you to my incredible video producer Adrian Mullan: https://www.ampedvision.com.au/

Subscribe to Navigating New York Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingNewYork

And if you would like to support the Podcast you can at buymeacoffee.com

On this weeks episode I chat with the legend John Duddy. John, also known as “The Derry Destroyer” was a Professional boxer who fought from 2003 to 2010 and has lived in New York for 17 years. Duddy retired from the sport of boxing with a record of just 2 loses in 31 professional fights, 18 of which where by knock out. John is no stranger to fame and success and was Irelands most beloved boxer for years. Thousands of Irish in New York have fond memories of sell-out fight nights in Madison Square Garden supporting "Irelands John Duddy".

John now pursues his 2nd passion in life, Acting. He has appeared alongside Robert De Niro and has recently stared in Colin Broderick's latest film,  “Bend In The River”. However John is also a man who isn’t too proud to roll up his sleeves and do a hard days work to make his  dreams a reality.
 
One thing John  said during our chat was: “You keep the head high, you work hard and hopefully you get a second chance to touch the stars” 

John’s story is a unique one, and I hope you get as much strength and inspiration from it as I did.

P.s. 'Bend in The River' is being shown at part of 'The Craic Fest' Film Festival from March 4 - March 7 2021. All screenings are virtual this year so you can watch from the comfort of your own home, go to www.craicfest.com for your festival tickets. 

Support the show

Navigating New York is proudly sponsored by Amvoy Wealth: a Cross Border Financial Planning Firm specialising in assisting Irish citizens with financial interest in Ireland and the United States. Get in touch today: [email protected] / www.amvoywealth.com

Please rate & review wherever you listen. Thank you to my incredible video producer Adrian Mullan: https://www.ampedvision.com.au/

Subscribe to Navigating New York Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingNewYork

And if you would like to support the Podcast you can at buymeacoffee.com

On this weeks Episode I chat with Erika & Kaelin Fox, the sisters behind  #RetroFlame

"RetroFlame" is Erika's Instagram handle and the name of her fashion and lifestyle blog. With an accumulated following of over 200,000 Instagram followers, these two are trailblazing in the industry of Online Influencing. "Retroflame" started as a fun side-project for Erika when she was in college at home in Ireland and when she moved to New York 6 years ago to work in corporate fashion, she saw the following of her blog and instagram sky rocket. After graduating from college and working in beauty & makeup, Kaelin also moved to New York and started working with Erika on the expansion of Retroflame.

There is no denying these two Kerry women have seen major success in the industry of influencing, but that has not come without graft, hard work and vision. We talk about how they established themselves, their journey in New York, the perception of 'influencing' versus the reality, as well as negativity online and having the odd bout of imposter syndrome!

I really loved this chat with Erika & Kaelin and I hope you get as much enlightenment from it as I did.

Support the show

Navigating New York is proudly sponsored by Amvoy Wealth: a Cross Border Financial Planning Firm specialising in assisting Irish citizens with financial interest in Ireland and the United States. Get in touch today: [email protected] / www.amvoywealth.com

Please rate & review wherever you listen. Thank you to my incredible video producer Adrian Mullan: https://www.ampedvision.com.au/

Subscribe to Navigating New York Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingNewYork

And if you would like to support the Podcast you can at buymeacoffee.com

On Episode 2 of the Podcast I chat with my friend Maurice Barron. I met Maurice through our GAA Club here in New York, 'Manhattan Gaels' where he was a Founding Member and Chairperson. He moved to New York 16 years ago from County Waterford in Ireland and is a true example of what working hard and taking chances can do for your career. I have always looked up to Maurice as a great mentor and friend and am delighted to share our conversation with you.
Maurice is currently Vice President of Data & Platform Solutions at Zenith, and if like me you aren't sure what "Data & Platform Solutions" actually means, Maurice explains it for us!
He wouldn't say it himself but he is hugely successful in his industry and is flown around the World to do his job. 
2020 was an extremely challenging year for Maurice and his wife Kandice as their baby girl Ava was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. We talk about her battle during the height of Covid and how being in New York to get treatment possibly saved Ava's life. I hope you find Maurice's outlook on life as inspiring as I do.

Support the show

Navigating New York is proudly sponsored by Amvoy Wealth: a Cross Border Financial Planning Firm specialising in assisting Irish citizens with financial interest in Ireland and the United States. Get in touch today: [email protected] / www.amvoywealth.com

Please rate & review wherever you listen. Thank you to my incredible video producer Adrian Mullan: https://www.ampedvision.com.au/

Subscribe to Navigating New York Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingNewYork

And if you would like to support the Podcast you can at buymeacoffee.com

My first guest on ‘Navigating New York’ is the fabulous Maeve Higgins. Maeve is from Cobh in County Cork and moved to New York 8 years ago. Maeve is an Actress, Comedian and Author and has written a number of books including, ”Maeve in America: Essays by a Girl from Somewhere Else”

Maeve is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times and uses her voice to discuss important issues such as Immigration, Mental Health and Climate Change. She also recently starred in the movie "Extraordinary" available on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
 
 I have looked up to Maeve for a long time and am delighted to be able to share our chat with you.

Support the show

Navigating New York is proudly sponsored by Amvoy Wealth: a Cross Border Financial Planning Firm specialising in assisting Irish citizens with financial interest in Ireland and the United States. Get in touch today: [email protected] / www.amvoywealth.com

Please rate & review wherever you listen. Thank you to my incredible video producer Adrian Mullan: https://www.ampedvision.com.au/

Subscribe to Navigating New York Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingNewYork

And if you would like to support the Podcast you can at buymeacoffee.com

A short chat from Sophie about what to expect from 'Navigating New York'.

Support the show

Navigating New York is proudly sponsored by Amvoy Wealth: a Cross Border Financial Planning Firm specialising in assisting Irish citizens with financial interest in Ireland and the United States. Get in touch today: [email protected] / www.amvoywealth.com

Please rate & review wherever you listen. Thank you to my incredible video producer Adrian Mullan: https://www.ampedvision.com.au/

Subscribe to Navigating New York Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingNewYork

And if you would like to support the Podcast you can at buymeacoffee.com