Every entrepreneur knows that having a great idea is just the beginning. The real work begins with sourcing funding, building the right team and keeping focused on your goal. 

Today we meet an entrepreneur who shares his experience of turning an innovative idea—using space technology to improve sports safety—into a real business. He breaks down the realities of securing half a million euro in investment with the help of networking and mentorship, as well as the importance of resilience in navigating the ups and downs of bringing a product to market. 

Our guest today has worked with the European Space Agency and is using that experience to create technology that can detect head injuries. It’s a pleasure to welcome Founder and CEO of Sports Impact Technologies, Eoin Tuohy.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Bringing space technology to sports 
• Developing viable designs and prototypes 
• Challenges and successes of raising half a million euro 
• Building a team and why first hires are so important
• The emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship 

GUEST DETAILS
Eóin is a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur from Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow. Before founding Sports Impact Technologies, he worked as a research engineer at the European Space Agency's European Astronaut Centre, contributing to the space medicine and lunar research teams. During his time there, he developed wearables for spaceflight, including a device currently in use on the International Space Station.

His company, Sports Impact Technologies, focuses on innovative wearables that detect and monitor head impacts in sports, enhancing player safety and recovery.

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/eoin-tuohy 

Sports Impact Technologies is a tech company based out of NovaUCD, which is developing sports wearables to detect head impacts as they happen. 

https://sportsimpacttechnologies.com/ 

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QUOTES

It was really the realization that this is not massively unattainable. People can do it. - Eóin Tuohy 

If you can find a mentor who's good, it's like gold dust for me. - Eóin Tuohy 

You have to pick which is best for you, really leaning heavily on the good advice. - Eóin Tuohy 

The highs and lows are nearly like a pendulum. - Eóin Tuohy 

We have to be careful not to take off the blinkers.  - Eóin Tuohy

KEYWORDS

#wearabletechnology #headinjuries #EuropeanSpaceAgency #business #funding #marketstrategy #productdevelopment #mentorship #resilience

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an entrepreneur is having the freedom to create a career you really love, but turning a passion into a success takes more than just enthusiasm.

Today we meet an entrepreneur who shares how she transformed her love for the Irish language into a thriving online business. Embracing the digital world, she has created a unique digital learning platform that teaches the endangered language in an accessible and fun way, building a community of dedicated learners across the world. We hear about the mindset shift needed to scale your business, from pricing insecurities to the difficulties of delegations, and the importance of having a long-term vision. 

Our guest has amassed over 200,000 followers online and has big plans to change how the Irish language exists in our society. It’s a pleasure to have the founder of Irish with Mollie, Mollie Guidera. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Bridging the gap in Irish language education 
• The opportunity and flexibility of online business 
• Financial literacy and overcoming pricing insecurities 
• Growing an engaged community through social media 
• How consistency creates a better business 

GUEST DETAILS
Mollie Guidera is a visionary Irish language educator who has created an online learning platform and community. Mollie weaves storytelling and etymology into her innovative teaching methods, celebrating and nurturing identity and ancestral connections. She offers accessible, relatable resources with infectious enthusiasm. Mollie’s creative workshops and courses demystify the language and explore the healing and soulful path of effective learning.

Mollie’s instagram and tiktok platforms @irishwithmollie, online webinars, and courses aim to rethink and revitalise our indigenous language, and breathe new life into the ancient language.

https://www.irishwithmollie.com/ 

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QUOTES

There's even a study that shows people studying Celtic languages are the happiest people in the world. - Mollie Guidera 

You don't have to be perfect. You don't learn overnight. - Mollie Guidera 

People can think that business is dirty or making money is wrong, and I don't think it is. - Mollie Guidera 

It still surprises and impresses me to think I'm a business woman, I'm the founder of my company. I'm still a teacher, but you can be both things. - Mollie Guidera 

Go for it, absolutely go for it. Work hard, do it as well as you can. - Mollie Guidera 

Consistency kills the doubt and the fear, and it creates a really strong kind of business. - Mollie Guidera

KEYWORDS

#Irish #language #online #business #socialmedia #communitybuilding #teaching #entrepreneurship #networking

There’s a reason why entrepreneurs and business leaders are always emphasizing the importance of networking, because it actually works! 

Today we’re meeting an entrepreneur who by leaning into his own experience and leveraging his network has secured support and investment for his digital start up. We hear how his personal motivation for the business has made him secure in his decisions, but how he has also learned the hard way to balance passion and personal life. 

Our guest has over 10 years’ experience in software integration and is using this to build a technology solution to make the online world more inclusive. It’s a pleasure to welcome Founder of Nexus Inclusion, Kyran O’Mahoney. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

●        The use of technology as an enabler for accessibility 

●        Keeping on top of cash flow and financial planning 

●        Approaching investors and delivering on product 

●        Leveraging your own network for support and connections 

●        Striking the balance between founder and family life  

GUEST DETAILS
 
Nexus Inclusion Limited is building a technology solution to make the world more inclusive.

Kyran O’Mahoney is an IT professional with over twenty years of experience in developing complex technical projects for a host of sectors across Ireland, the UK, and the United States.

O'Mahoney's professional background spans over two decades in the IT sector, where he has led complex technical projects across various industries, including financial services, insurance, media, human resources, aviation, retail, and the charity sector in Ireland, the UK, and the United States. His previous positions include senior roles at Allied Irish Banks, Ryanair, and Dunnes Stores. 

Prior to founding Nexus Inclusion, Kyran O'Mahoney co-founded Inclusion and Accessibility Labs (IA Labs) in 2021 and has served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) since 2019. 

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/kyrano

https://www.nexusinclusion.com/

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QUOTES

The risk that I've taken here is to bring on more people to deliver faster. - Kyran O’Mahoney

Ireland has a great culture of innovation and technology. - Kyran O’Mahoney

Surround yourself with the people that you trust and the people that you believe in. - Kyran O’Mahoney

You really have to leverage your own network. - Kyran O’Mahoney

I think as a founder you just want to give your entirety to it, but you also have to have a life. - Kyran O’Mahoney

Companies need to double down on diversity, equity and inclusion. - Kyran O’Mahoney

KEYWORDS

#digital #accessibility #AI #diversity #EuropeanAccessibilityAct #userexperience #productdevelopment #investment #startup 

Although it can feel scary at first, putting yourself out there as a new business can be the key to success and avoiding the pitfalls that a lot of beginner businesses can fall into. 

Today we’re meeting a rapidly expanding Irish start-up that has grown exponentially since it was founded at the beginning of 2023. Based in the e-commerce space, we’ll find out how they are revolutionizing online business with the use of AI, and how through angel investors they’ve rapidly expanded into 15 countries with plans to take on more staff. 

Our guest today has a familial history with e-commerce and believes in bridging the gap between marketing and finance. It’s a pleasure to have Co-Founder of Store Hero, Thomas Gleeson. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Bridging the gap between marketing and finance 
• Putting yourself out there to gain new customers 
• Understanding profitability over revenue
• Managing hiring and onboarding for a new, rapidly expanding team 
• Setting up an appropriate CRM and distribution process 

 
GUEST DETAILS
 
Thomas Gleeson is a co-founder at StoreHero. StoreHero helps brands centralise e-commerce, marketing and finance operations in order to scale their business profitably.

Thomas has many years of experience in e-commerce, from growing up in a family fun DTC business for over 20 years, running brands himself and also working at Shopify as a Senior Consultant to some of the largest brands on the platform.

Website: www.storehero.ai 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-gleeson-%F0%9F%A6%B8-74255b96/ 

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QUOTES

A lot of the challenges I saw were with the silos between marketing and finance. - Thomas Gleeson 

It's putting yourself out there. - Thomas Gleeson

We've tried to follow our own advice and to be led by Profit First. So trying to not fall into a lot of the traps that startups in the past have. - Thomas Gleeson 

I feel like we have a really solid solution for a market that's really crying out for it, and it's a huge market. - Thomas Gleeson 

Marketing has grown as a line item in every e-commerce business across the board - Thomas Gleeson

The distribution of the product is its own product in itself. You can build the best tool in the world, but unless you have a proper distribution engine built in behind it, you know, nobody's going to hear about it. - Thomas Gleeson

KEYWORDS

#e-commerce #marketing #profitability #onboarding #remoteworking #funding 

As a business owner, learning to lean on and delegate to those supporting you can seem like a scary transition. However, it is a vital step in taking your business to the next level. 

Today we’re meeting an entrepreneur who has created a leading education business in the financial sector. Through seizing opportunity and building strong connections she has created a multi-stream business from book writing, speaking, MC-ing, education and working with young people. We hear how important those first hires are to expanding the business and why ‘thinking breakfasts’ can be helpful in creating business solutions. 

Our expert guest is Chartered Financial Analyst and ‘The Positive Economist’, Susan Culleton Hayes. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

●        Setting up an opportunity based business during the financial crash 

●        Leaning on LEOs and networking to build strong connections 

●        The accidental creation of ‘The Positive Economist’ 

●        Managing multiple business streams from writing to speaking and working with young people 

●        Getting better at thinking and delegating decisions 

 
GUEST DETAILS
 
Susan HayesCulleton, CFA, “The Positive Economist” is managing director of the Hayes Culleton Group, with clients across Europe and the USA. The businesses include Active Peers AI which unlocks, diffuses and records strategic tacit knowledge within networks and #SavvyTeenAcademy which manages the entire experience of teenage work experiences in corporate organisations. The company also provides training, speaking and content development services, in the subject areas of the financial markets, economics and entrepreneurship. 

Susan has published “Money Matters”, a textbook sponsored by CFA Society Ireland, to go into every secondary school in Ireland to promote and democractise financial literacy right across the country. She has twice co-authored “Positive Economics”, the market-leading Leaving Cert economics textbook in Ireland, and she is the author of two books published by Penguin, The “Savvy Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom” and “The Savvy Guide to Making More Money”. 

Susan holds a Chartered Financial Analyst charter, MSc Executive Leadership, BSc Financial Maths and Economics and a Diploma in Taxation.

https://www.hayesculleton.com/about-our-team/ 

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KEYWORDS

#entrepreneur #finance #business #financialtraining #economist #networking #delegation #growth 

Owning a business requires a lot of self-belief and sticking with your gut feeling, even when persevering through the tougher times. 

Today we’re meeting an entrepreneur whose drive and determination has created a globally successful business and won her many awards, despite nearly losing it all during the 2020 pandemic. Inspired by her grandfather’s homemade spirits, she has captured the attention of some big investors such as Russell Crowe, Ed Sheeran and Jimmy Carr, and is investing back into her local community with the opening of a brand home local visitor centre just this year. 

Our guest today is Global Irish Business Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 and Founder and CEO of The Muff Liquor Company, Laura Bonner. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Pursuing a dream in an industry that you know nothing about 
• Sourcing investment from crowdfunding to celebrities 
• Remaining resilient through tough times and global pandemics 
• Developing a brand for expansion into the American market
• Trusting your gut and investing back into yourself  

GUEST DETAILS

The Muff Liquor Company was founded in 2017 near Muff on the Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal.  

Laura Bonner, the CEO and Founder of The Muff Liquor Company, has a remarkable journey in the business world. Her achievements include winning the Business All Star in 2018, being recognised as the Ulster Business Woman of the year in 2019 and making it to the Industry Era’s list of the top 10 most inspiring CEOs in 2021. In 2023, she was honoured as the Handcrafted Spirits Business Leader and just this year crowned Global Irish Business Entrepreneur of the Year 2024. 

https://www.themuffliquorcompany.com/ 

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QUOTES

I asked for help, non stop.  I always say I'd rather lose face than lose money. If you think you might come across stupid, I don't care. I'll get my answer, and then I move forward. - Laura Bonner 

It's a complete gut feeling. I am so aware of myself that I could be listening to somebody, and be like, nah, this isn't for me. - Laura Bonner 

I think one of the first things I ever wrote down was that I was going to be one of the biggest and best alcohol brands to come out of Ireland. - Laura Bonner 

I wouldn't have a company if we hadn't had that support. - Laura Bonner 

I need you to meet me and my team and understand who we are and what we are and what we stand for. - Laura Bonner 

KEYWORDS

#business #brand #global #investment #crowdfunding #self-care #resilience #entrepreneurship

Online businesses come with their own unique requirements and challenges, especially when it comes to managing a remote team. 

Today we're delving into one of Ireland's international success stories, with an online business based in Dublin, leading a digital team working around the globe. We find out how they operate in the fast moving tech business, about building relationships with customers you never meet and geographically diverse staff, and some great advice from a business planner with a wealth of experience.

Our guest is a finance and business operations professional working remotely for the tech sector for almost 20 years. He is Chief Financial Officer with MailerLite, Martin Ruano. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• MailerLite’s growth into a global online company 
• Creating a productive and intentional remote working environment
• How to build and maintain relationships in a geographically diverse team 
• Advice for navigating mergers and acquisitions
• Lessons learned in planning and communication 

GUEST DETAILS
MailerLite was born in 2010 to give businesses a simple yet powerful email solution to help them grow. Their global team has a passion for building a world-class product within a company culture that is built on trust, dedication and shared values.

Martin Ruano Chief Financial Officer and MailerLite and is a Finance and Business Operations professional with sound knowledge in Financial Planning and P&L Management. He has 20 years in Technology industry leading global teams undergoing fast change with a proven ability to improve financial results growing the top line through creative business development strategies as well as improving the bottom line through cost management and operational optimization.

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QUOTES

We can work remotely and having a colleague base in another time zone is going to enable our capabilities of providing support to our customers. - Martin Ruano 

It’s important for me to keep learning, it is very important to understand that I won’t be able to solve all the challenges in front of me. That's why we need a strong team to face those challenges together. - Martin Ruano 

Think that you're going to go through that process and plan to do it right from the beginning. - Martin Ruano 

Keep learning every day, especially if you want to scale up yourself or grow a business. Stay curious, stay learning and don't be afraid to ask for advice or ask for help. - Martin Ruano 

KEYWORDS

#remotework #globalteam #customers #financialgrowth #business #growth 

Change is inevitable, so developing a positive mindset towards change can really help a business thrive. Whether that’s in marketing, staff retention or handing over the family business. 

Today we hear from a second generation business owner who has leveraged change and connection to continue his father’s legacy in the home improvements industry. We hear how his passion for clear and simple communication has helped the company retain both staff and customers at an incredibly high level and about the mentors that inspired his management mindset. 

Although originally reluctant to step into the family business, our guest now believes it’s a privilege. He is Managing Director of Global Home Improvements, Barry Shevlin. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Transitioning to being a second-generation business leader 
• Cultivating a simple but effective customer-centric approach
• Building a thriving team culture based on basic human respect and connection
• Embracing change in business and seeing it as an opportunity to learn 
• Following your gut when planning for the future 

GUEST DETAILS
Global Home Improvements has been trusted since 1980 to transform the warmth, comfort, energy-efficiency and look of homes across Dublin and surrounding counties. They specialise in designing and manufacturing quality windows, doors, roofline and flat roofing. Now a second-generation family business, the company’s core values of quality and service have earned recognition for Global including Guaranteed Irish Best Retailer 2024 & Q Mark Awards Best Home Improvements company in Ireland.

The company is headed up by Managing Director Barry Shevlin who has gained invaluable experience throughout the company over the past two decades. Barry Shevlin is Global's second-generation leader. For the past 25 years, he has built on the foundations laid down by father, Tom Shevlin, with the same passion for quality & service.

https://globalhomeimprovements.ie/ 

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QUOTES

It's definitely one of the best decisions I ever made. Working in a family business is very challenging because it's family, but in a business, it's entirely different. - Barry Shevlin

It was a customer centric culture, but also a staff centric culture. And it wasn't staff as regards, you know, pizzas on Friday, it was just basic human connection and respect. - Barry Shevlin

It's very, very simple, call a customer back within a really prompt time, update them if there's issues, and put your hand up if you've messed up. - Barry Shevlin 

One of the big changes I've developed in the last five years, I've trusted my gut more in everything, and I think that has made a significant difference to the business. - Barry Shevlin 

KEYWORDS

#customers #business #staff #team #change #company 

A key part of the business mindset is being able to spot an opportunity. Sometimes that opportunity comes with risk, but it can have fantastic pay off in the long run. 

Today we hear from a business owner whose fishing village upbringing inspired him to pursue a career at sea and led to the creation of his incredibly successful marine dredging business. We hear how he dove in head first, learning from mistakes and asking for help when needed, and how his hard work in the early days has created a better work life for him now. 

Our guest saw the opportunity to simplify solutions for his customers and now has 40 men working with him. He is Managing Director and Founder of Foyle and Marine Dredging, Stephen McCormick. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Finding opportunity in your local community 
• Learning from mistakes and seeking help from mentors
• The challenges of building a skilled workforce 
• Early sacrifices that later lead to work-life balance and flexibility
• Managing cash-flow and sourcing funding to finance growth 

GUEST DETAILS
Foyle and Marine Dredging Ltd is a family owned Company which prides itself in Quality, Commitment and Excellence.

Foyle & Marine Dredging specialise in undertaking all types of marine work projects throughout Ireland and British Isles. They have built up a solid track record of meeting both the project’s and client’s requirements by delivering both a broad range of challenging and alternative projects.

The Managing Director, Stephen McCormick is an experienced engineer and has a marine engineering and plant based background. He has been carrying out civil and marine projects around the Irish and UK coastlines for over 15 years to great success.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-mc-cormick-43975b132/?originalSubdomain=ie 

https://marinedredging.co.uk/about/ 

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QUOTES

Nobody knows everything. You have to learn from your mistakes. - Stephen McCormick 

As I always say, you're not a customer until you come back the second time. - Stephen McCormick 

I never really wanted to go to the size we are, it was the customers who were pushing us on it. - Stephen McCormick 

It wasn’t until we actually spent money, we actually made money. It wasn’t until we bought one of our new machines. We noticed the difference was one month. - Stephen McCormick 

Put in the time, put in the effort. It is hard at the start but if you're confident and you can see it, go for it. - Stephen McCormick 

KEYWORDS

#people #dredging #business #banks #marine #grow #company #accounting 

We hear from a business owner who set himself very aspirational goals and with a lot of hard work and a supportive team, reached them long before he could have imagined. We hear how his business mindset helped him get there and how he’s overcome competition to come out on top. 

Setting goals as a business owner can feel intimidating but it’s important to look to where you want to go so you can implement the work to get there. 

Our guest today began his company during the recession but has grown a team of over 50 men. He is Brian Rooney, founder of BR Mechanical Pipework. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Transitioning from worker to business owner
• Giving yourself a focus by setting ambitious goals 
• Building a strong team and respecting their needs 
• The importance of building relationships through networking and reputation 
• Learning to delegate and trust as the business grows 

GUEST DETAILS
BR Mechanical Pipework is an Irish company that has been in business for 10 years in Drumbuoy, Donegal.  The company operates with a team of experienced workers and a workshop equipped with some of the best equipment in the field. It is owned by Brian Rooney and employs over 50 people. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-rooney-8b965936/
https://www.facebook.com/p/BR-Mechanical-Pipework-Ltd-100083482843241/

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QUOTES

I always wanted to make money. I wanted to be a millionaire by the time I was 45. I hit that target. And I wanted to have more than 50 men working for me. I hit that target, too. - Brian Rooney 

You need to be looking after the people, you'll do nothing without people and that's just about it, you can't do it all yourself. You need good people around you, people you can trust. - Brian Rooney 

Any contacts I would have, I would always ring them. Even if we weren't talking about work, I would have tried to build a relationship. - Brian Rooney 

You need to have goals, you need to have something to aim for. - Brian Rooney 

KEYWORDS

#team #company #goals #business #build #soletrader