Real Business Conversations with Kinore

After years managing businesses for others who didn't value employees, Diane Kelly started LL Solutions with a simple plan. To test if a company built entirely on kindness could work. 

Six months later she was inundated. Five years later, she had over 40 staff. Her crew came mainly from self-employed backgrounds, who valued security without micromanagement, Diane’s exceptionally high retention rate and zero cold-calling. 

Today, as Ireland's only fully female-led property maintenance company of this scale Diane shares her story.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT 

• Nobody here is a number: knowing staff stories enables understanding bad days
• Non-credit company paying as you go eliminates surprise bills devastating cash flow
• Seventy percent crew came from self-employed backgrounds valuing security without micromanagement
• Recruitment changed: no interviews, just coffee conversations, mostly recommendations from current staff
• Home to Hope documentary fixing five severely sad homes before Christmas nationwide

GUEST DETAILS
 
Diane Kelly is co-founder of LL Solutions, Ireland's only fully female-led property maintenance and refurbishment company operating at their scale. Diane leads with fairness and hands-on involvement, giving full trust from day one.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-kelly-0bb56921

ABOUT KINORE

Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include:

Accountancy Services

Annual Compliance & Year-End

Online Bookkeeping Services

VAT Returns

Payroll Services

Management Accounting

Xero Conversion & Training

Company Secretarial Services

Company Formation Ireland

Company Secretarial

Virtual Office

Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors

Registration Of Beneficial Ownership

https://kinore.com/

Our podcast is produced by dustpod.io 

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland. 

Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant. 

Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company. |

Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

QUOTES 

We try to hold value in every person that we deal with every day. From a staff perspective, for us, kindness is knowing all of their stories so that when one of them has a bad day, we may understand why. Nobody here is a number. - Diane Kelly

About 70% of our crew have all come from self employed backgrounds. We offer them security. We pay them well. We treat them like grown adults. We don't ring them every five minutes asking where they are or why they pulled in for 10 minutes. We let them do their jobs, and it's working brilliantly. - Diane Kelly

At the end of every single health and safety meeting, I stand up and I always say: don't confuse our kindness for stupidity, or don't confuse it for weakness. - Diane Kelly

Signing up with yourselves was taking maybe 30% of the budget that we had, which was still great value—our budget was just really low. But for me, it was non negotiable. - Diane Kelly

Keywords: #kindnessInBusiness #nonCreditCompany #HomeToHope #propertyMaintenance #femaleLeadership

Many entrepreneurs find themselves unprepared for the realities of running a business which are usually beyond their core technical skills. For them, making the transition from technical expert to business leader requires a difficult shift in focus. Not doing so is a failure point for many.

Today we hear about an unexpected journey that provides the essential groundwork for business growth: a profound focus on the customer, a robust problem-solving mindset, and the discipline gained from external investment. You'll hear about the initial struggles, the pivotal decision to embrace a remote, online model and the crucial strategy for scaling a service-based firm through acquisitions and technological adoption.

This special episode features our own host and CEO Larissa Feeney, stepping into the hot seat to be interviewed by guest presenter, Richard Curran. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

•  The pivotal shift from hospitality to accountancy
•  The early struggle to build an online brand
•  The necessity of outside investment and discipline
•  Stepping back from client work to grow
•  Why commercial awareness is vital for finance.

GUEST DETAILS

Larissa Feeney is the CEO and Founder of Kinore, a high-growth, remote-first accountancy practice in Ireland. Her main skills are developing business strategy, advocating for women in business, and successfully scaling a professional services firm from a small client base to a team of almost 80, proving that a remote model can achieve significant scale and success in the finance industry.

HOST DETAILS

Richard Curran is one of Ireland's most respected business journalists and broadcasters, currently presenting the Business Show on Newstalk radio. With over three decades of experience covering Irish business, economics and entrepreneurship, Richard has interviewed thousands of entrepreneurs and business leaders throughout his career. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-curran-18a3b92b7/|
Twitter/X: @RichardCurran

ABOUT KINORE

Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include:

Accountancy Services
Annual Compliance & Year-End
Online Bookkeeping Services
VAT Returns
Payroll Services
Management Accounting
Xero Conversion & Training
Company Secretarial Services
Company Formation Ireland
Virtual Office

https://kinore.com/ 

QUOTES 

What I see lacking in the industry right now is the lack of commercial awareness, the reality of running a business. It's not just about the numbers, it's about the customer and the client. All of those that were not taught in accountancy school. - Larissa Feeney

That's something that has stood to you later on. It's how important the customer is, to always keep forefront of mind the customer's journey is important, how the customer's feeling is important, and to always make a decision with the customer in mind. - Larissa Feeney

I realised that location is not an issue. The client doesn't care where you were. The client wants their work done. The client wants to get you whenever they need you, but they don't care where their work is done. - Larissa Feeney

The only way that you can grow your business is to step back and bring in great people who can deal with the clients on your behalf. That stepping back is really hard.  - Larissa Feeney

People think that how do you manage workflow, deadlines, productivity. That's the easy part. The systems take care of all that. What's challenging is building relationships, helping the team get to know each other as people. What you save in accommodation you put into bringing people together. - Larissa Feeney

KEYWORDS 

#occupationalhealth #startupjourney #businessbootstrapping #entrepreneurship #irishbusiness

Starting a specialist occupational health practice in regional Ireland rather than Dublin seems counterintuitive—but Dan MacCarthy proved it could work. 

After experiencing burnout in pharmaceutical manufacturing, Dan co-founded MedWise with his wife in 2005, navigating startup challenges from zero customers to cash flow crises that nearly ended the business. 

Discover how a 50% price increase lost zero clients, why engineering project management skills translate perfectly to business growth, and how twenty years of bootstrapping created a sustainable healthcare service company.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• How travel health and mortgage medicals provided crucial cash flow during startup years
• Why implementing a 50% price increase resulted in zero customer losses
• How systemizing services helped escape monthly payroll stress
• How applying engineering project management skills created sustainable growth in the business.  
• Why finding specialist occupational doctors remains the biggest constraint

Dan MacCarthy is co-founder of MedWise Occupational Health Services, established in 2005 with his wife Dr. Deirdre MacCarthy. With over 20 years of technical experience in medical device manufacturing at companies including Boston Scientific and Pfizer, Dan transitioned from senior engineering roles to entrepreneurship. As employee number 74 at Boston Scientific's Galway startup, he gained valuable scaling experience before co-founding MedWise as a regional specialist occupational health provider. 

Dan applies his engineering background and project management expertise to business challenges, systematizing services and developing innovative solutions like mobile medical clinics for workforce-scale health surveillance. Under his leadership, MedWise has grown from a small regional practice to a 12-person team serving companies across Ireland, pioneering specialist occupational health services outside major cities.

Connect with Dan:

Company: MedWise Occupational Health Service
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmaccarthy/

ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include:

Accountancy Services

Annual Compliance & Year-End

Online Bookkeeping Services

VAT Returns

Payroll Services

Management Accounting

Xero Conversion & Training

Company Secretarial Services

Company Formation Ireland

Company Secretarial

Virtual Office

Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors

Registration Of Beneficial Ownership

https://kinore.com/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland. 

Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant. 

Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company. 

Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

QUOTES 

• We've always had a strong value for work life balance. When we're hiring people, we ask them what they want, what works for you. Quite a lot of our staff work part time, permanent staff, but part time. I think giving people good work life balance at the start is good. - Dan MacCarthy
• The business plan is mostly for us. I guess I just have a saying, you know, it's ready, fire, aim, you know, without a plan, it's easy to go astray. So the plan is our roadmap, plan to work and work the plan that was it. - Dan MacCarthy
• "I kind of like the drama of it. It was do or die, and that's pretty much what I told the customer. We implemented a 50% price increase and we didn't lose one customer. - Dan MacCarthy
• Turnover is vanity. Profit is sanity and cash is king. We were having a cash flow problem. We weren't that profitable. So it was make or break. - Dan MacCarthy
• To a young person starting off doing a startup, either have the skills, learn the skills, or partner with someone who has. No person has it all. Every business is a people business." - Dan MacCarthy

Keywords: #occupationalhealth #startupjourney #businessbootstrapping #entrepreneurship #irishbusiness

In this powerful episode of Kinore's Real Business Conversations Podcast, we dive into the incredible journey of Erica Hargaden, founder of Babogue.

Erica has transformed a personal struggle with her child's sleep into a "Sleeping Giant"—a global business that has helped over 5,000 families across 37 countries.

This is not just a story of success; it's a raw and honest look at the strategies that took a passionate entrepreneur from surviving to scaling.
This episode is a master class if you've found a gap in the market, are looking to scale a one-to-one business, or feel like you are giving away too much of your expertise free of charge.

We also delve into the benefits of delegation, virtual assistants, whether or not you should advertise your prices upfront, and balancing the demands of social media marketing.

Press play now to hear how a simple service became a world-class brand.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Erica Hargaden’s personal journey from sleep struggles to founding Babogue.
• Transitioning from a one-to-one consultancy model to a scalable, online business.
• Launching the “Sleep Series” and moving into a subscription-based model.
• Social Media strategies, including Instagram, LinkedIn, and considerations for TikTok.
• Hiring and working with a virtual assistant, and the challenges and benefits of delegation.
• The value of mentorship, networking, and business support programs (e.g., Acorns, Enterprise Ireland).
• Funding the business: grants, investment, and self-funding.

GUEST DETAILS

Erica Hargaden, Founder and CEO of Babogue.
With a background in accounting, law, and event management, Erica never intended to become a sleep consultant. However, after giving birth to her first child, she found herself struggling to get her baby to sleep, was exhausted herself, and was told by a professional that she was "a woman on the edge." 

Help came via a much-needed intervention from Erica's own concerned mother, who helped find a way to get her baby to settle and start sleeping through the night. This was a lightbulb moment for Erica, and her passion and respect for "sleep" was ignited.
Despite having no medical background, she spent four months researching and completing the most robust training course she could find globally. This led to Erica launching a small one-to-one coaching business from her home, which has since grown into a global, multi-stream company that has helped over 5,000 families across 37 countries.
Via Babogue, Erica’s mission is to instill a deep respect for sleep, empowering families with the tools they need to live happier, more rested lives.

Learn more about Erica Hargaden and Babogue here: https://www.babogue.com/

ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include:

• Accountancy Services
• Annual Compliance & Year-End
• Online Bookkeeping Services
• VAT Returns
• Payroll Services
• Management Accounting
• Xero Conversion & Training
• Company Secretarial Services
• Company Formation Ireland
• Company Secretarial
• Virtual Office
• Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors
• Registration Of Beneficial Ownership

https://kinore.com/ 

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland. 

Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant. 
Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company. 
Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

QUOTES FROM ERICA HARGARDEN

"Unless somebody is paying you, you don't have to solve their problems."
"Don't be the person who holds yourself back. Feel the fear and do it anyway."
"I spent four months researching how to become a sleep consultant."
"The followers mean nothing. Not everyone following you is buying from you!"
"If you don't take time out to work on the business, you will get drowned in working in the business."
"I had a limit, and I needed to respect that limit so as not to burn myself out."
"I'm not going to lie; I was absolutely sweating buckets."

Keywords
#kinore
#podcast
#businesspodcast
#LarissaFeeney
#EricaHargaden
#Babogue

Topic-Specific Hashtags
#entrepreneurship
#businessgrowth
#businesstips
#businessstrategy
#worklifebalance
#entrepreneurmindset
#burnoutprevention
#delegation
#virtualassistant
#socialmediastrategy
#digitalmarketing
#conversion
#marketingtips

OK, we get it. Even the mere mention of the "P" word makes you want to bury your head in the sand. Something to do later, right? Or maybe you think it's already too late? This is a BIG MISTAKE!

In the new Kinore "Real Business Conversations" podcast episode, wealth expert Niall Leyden explains why it's never too early, and never too late, to take control of your financial future which includes pension planning.

Niall Leyden has over 30 years’ experience working as a wealth/asset manager for Ulster Bank and Permanent TSB, and has recently become an entrepreneur himself. In January 2024, Niall formed his own wealth management company, Atlantic Wealth Management.

This episode of Real Business Conversations contains invaluable advice for any business owner, regardless of whether you are just starting out or a seasoned entrepreneur.

In just 30 minutes, we cover topics that we believe could make a significant difference to your life in the years to come. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Lifestyle and financial planning for business owners
•  Pension planning and retirement strategies
•  10 Commandments of Wealth Management
•  Tax optimisation and investment strategies
•  The challenges of entrepreneurship and avoiding burnout
•  Starting a pension early and what to do if you didn’t.
•  Dealing with surplus cash in a business

GUEST DETAILS

Niall Leyden, CEO of Atlantic Wealth Management, is a multi – award winning CFP planner winning Wealth Manager of the Year on many occasions in his time with Permanent TSB & Ulster Bank.

In January 2024, Niall became a business owner himself by establishing his own company, Atlantic Wealth Management serving clients across Ireland and beyond. Via Atlantic Wealth Management, Niall provides his expertise and experience with his growing number of clients to help them realise their business and lifestyle goals.

Learn more about Niall Leyden and Atlantic Wealth Management here: 
https://atlanticwm.ie/

Please Note: 
Niall Leyden is the Founder of Atlantic Wealth Management Limited; a firm regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland to advise on and arrange a range of financial products. Please note that Niall’s comments in this podcast are general recommendations and do not form part of Atlantic Wealth Management Limited’s regulated activity. You should contact Atlantic Wealth Management or other regulated service providers to receive tailored advice relevant to your personal circumstances.

ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include:

• Accountancy Services
• Annual Compliance & Year-End
• Online Bookkeeping Services
• VAT Returns
• Payroll Services
• Management Accounting
• Xero Conversion & Training
• Company Secretarial Services
• Company Formation Ireland
• Company Secretarial
• Virtual Office
• Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors
• Registration Of Beneficial Ownership

https://kinore.com/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland. 

Her journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant. 
Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company. 

Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

QUOTES FROM NIALL LEYDEN

• Outside of good health, what do any of us want? We want a good lifestyle. That's your “why".
• A healthy man has 1,000 wishes, a sick man has only one.
• Entrepreneurial loneliness is very, very real. Don't go it alone.
• We live every day and die once. My mantra is Carpe Diem and being present.
• If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time.
• Cash is like ice on a window sill. If you leave them there long enough, they're going to melt.
• Action beats intention.
• Progress is permanent. Time, money, and patience are the real engines of wealth management.
• It's never too late to start. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.

USEFUL LINKS
Here are helpful links to the two additional podcasts mentioned:

The 10 Commandments
Listen to the podcast where Niall Leyden lays out his “10 Commandments” here:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/148-niall-leyden-the-10-commandments/id1609045593?i=1000679629738
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7LPhqOfedJoMkSbLrVow5y?utm_source=generator&t=0

Wealth Talks with Garry Kelly and Niall Leyden
Listen to the weekly podcast “Wealth Talks”  with Gary Kelly and Niall Leyden 
https://garrytalks.podbean.com/

KEYWORDS

#Podcast #Kinore #RealBusinessConversations #NiallLeyden #AtlanticWealthManagement 

Our guest today, Annette Houston, describes herself as "an accidental entrepreneur." 

Annette’s remarkable journey began at just 21, when she started "helping out" at her mum and dad’s cleaning business. Over the past 31 years, she's transformed that role into becoming the CEO of FM Services Group, based in Donegal, which today employs over 180 people.

Annette is also the visionary founder of Bright Academy, an innovative online training resource designed for employees and business owners alike.

In this episode of Real Business Conversations, Annette speaks candidly about her decades-long journey, the unique opportunities and challenges inherent in family businesses, and the critical importance of perseverance, strategic decision-making, and maintaining strong family relationships amidst business growth.

Beyond her personal story, Annette shares a wealth of helpful insights and practical advice that are applicable to any business manager or owner, regardless of their industry or company size.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• How “walking away” from a major client saved the business
• Building Client loyalty
• Getting the best from your consultants and advisors
• The importance of learning from experienced business owners/agencies in the early stages of business development
• Why investment in continuous self improvement and staff training really does make a difference to the bottom line

GUEST DETAILS

Annette Houston, CEO of FM Services Group and founder of Bright Academy. 

FM Services Group offers a comprehensive range of services which include specialised commercial cleaning, green cleaning solutions and full service facilities management.  

https://fmservicesgroup.ie/

Bright Academy offers online training courses including comprehensive courses for current and future business entrepreneurs looking to build and scale a successful and sustainable cleaning business. 

 https://fmservicesgroup.ie/bright-academy/

MORE INFORMATION

Take control of your business with accounting & business services you can trust.

We take away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions.

https://kinore.com/ 

Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

QUOTES

Dad volunteered my mom, and that's how the company started. - Annette Houston

When you take on something like this… the biggest transformation will be your own. -Annette Houston

You are the expert in some circumstances… go with your gut. - Annette Houston

It was not going to happen, not while I was in charge. - Annette Houston

I've probably done every job that you can think of in the company. - Annette Houston

I wouldn't have worked for me if I had to go back now and work for me when I was in the early years. -Annette Houston

KEYWORDS

#Resilience #Family-business #Problem-solving #Innovation #Leadership #Training #Growth, #Entrepreneurship

Our guest today is Nicholas Deeney, an engaging and talented entrepreneur from Dublin.

Nicholas is the founder and CEO of Biovit Technologies in Dublin, however, his background is in science.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from Trinity College and a Master's in Biotechnology from University College and is now balancing his passion for science with his dedication to scaling his business way beyond the shores of Ireland. 

In this fascinating episode of our podcast “Kinore Real Business Conversations”, Nicholas discusses his journey from a neuroscience background to developing a technology to enhance nutrient absorption in health products. 

Admitting that he often “bursts a lot of bubbles”, he explains that up to 99% of nutrients in fortified food or within supplements are wasted and just end up “in our pee”.

This discovery was the inspiration for Nicholas to create Biovit Technologies, and his determination to develop an effective solution to this “preposterous” problem.

Biovit Technologies is now targeting manufacturers of fortified foods and supplements, aiming for market entry by 2026. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• The problem with supplement absorption and Nicholas’s solution
• Fundraising challenges
• The need for “value-added” investors
• The importance of networking
• The strategic importance of IP protection 

GUEST DETAILS

Nicholas Deeney, CEO of Biovit Technologies in Dublin. Biovit Technologies is an Irish startup pioneering advanced nanotechnology to enhance nutrient absorption in fortified foods, beverages, and dietary supplements.
https://www.biovit.ie/

MORE INFORMATION

Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include:

Accountancy Services

Annual Compliance & Year-End

Online Bookkeeping Services

VAT Returns

Payroll Services

Management Accounting

Xero Conversion & Training

Company Secretarial Services

Company Formation Ireland

Company Secretarial

Virtual Office

Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors

Registration Of Beneficial Ownership

https://kinore.com/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland. 

Her journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant. 

Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company. 

Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognized with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

QUOTES

Many of the nutrients in health products don't actually reach the bloodstream. Sometimes up to 99% is wasted. It's all going out through your pee.

It's like putting premium fuel into your car, but before the fuel reaches the engine, it leaks out onto the floor.

I've probably done about 40 to 50 courses. I think that's really important to be the best leader you can when you're navigating the choppy waters of a startup.

Fundraising gives me so many headaches. It's such a stress, it's a hassle, it's so time-consuming.

Lean into your network as much as you can, leave your pride at the door, talk to as many people as you can.

KEYWORDS

#StartupJourney #HealthTech #NutritionInnovation #EntrepreneurLife #ScienceBusiness #FoodTech #BioavailabilityBreakthrough #Kinore #RealBusinessConversations #Podcast

Staying in your comfort zone may feel safe—but it can hold you back from growth, innovation, and meaningful success.

Today, we explore what happens when you take bold steps beyond the familiar. From shifting professional identity to starting a business from scratch, we unpack how discomfort can be a catalyst for clarity, creativity, and leadership. You’ll hear how embracing uncertainty, experimenting with new methods, and leaning into risk can unlock unexpected potential—for you and your business.

Our guest is a former Managing Partner with over two decades in legal practice, who now helps law firms and leaders evolve through strategic coaching, leadership development, and innovative tools like LEGO® Serious Play®. We’re delighted to have Katie da Gama, Executive Coach and Founder of Senatum Ltd.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

● From law firm leader to business founder
● Saying yes to opportunity - even if you don’t feel ready
● Reinventing career identity after leaving a defining role
● Using LEGO® Serious Play® to inspire leadership
● Stretching comfort zones to unlock professional growth

GUEST DETAILS
Katie da Gama is an Executive Coach, Legal Sector Consultant, and Founder of Senatum Ltd. With over 20 years’ experience as a barrister, solicitor, in-house counsel, and Managing Partner, she brings a unique, insider perspective to leadership and strategic development in the legal profession.

Since 2018, Katie has partnered with law firms and legal professionals across Ireland and the UK to drive growth, enhance performance, and lead meaningful change. Her work blends the analytical rigour of legal practice with evidence-based coaching and facilitation—including her role as a certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator. Using creative, hands-on methodology, Katie helps clients unlock fresh thinking, build resilient teams, and solve complex challenges through powerful, engaging conversations.

https://katiedagama.ie/

MORE INFORMATION
Take control of your business with accounting & business services you can trust. We take away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions.
https://kinore.com/

Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

QUOTES
That was the belief I held onto, that I had built a skill set and that I had capabilities, and that they would stay with me. That even if it failed, I could still say I did it. - Katie da Gama

Why are you letting go of that unique experience that you've had? That's a niche. - Katie da Gama 

Let's change that message, that we're not being creative. We are. It's just that we harness that in a slightly different way. - Katie da Gama 

You go outside that comfort zone, you practice, you experiment, you fail, you fall down, you get up, and then magically, your comfort zone has expanded. - Katie da Gama 

KEYWORDS
#Entrepreneur #legal #coaching #business #emotionalintelligence #leadership #strategy #growth

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/ 

MORE INFORMATION

Take control of your business with accounting & business services you can trust.

We take away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions.

https://kinore.com/ 

Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

QUOTES

It was really the realisation 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/ 

MORE INFORMATION

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https://kinore.com/ 

Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

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