Straight Line Path

Donna O’Leary joins the Straight Line Path Podcast, where we talk about the mistakes businesses make, what happens when tools are banned in the workplace, and why untrained teams can introduce more risk than the technology itself.

We also talk about how individuals and young professionals can use AI responsibly and effectively, and why developing the right habits matters more than chasing the newest tools.

Donna has experience in commercial litigation and regulatory work and now helps organisations build clarity around how these tools should be used and where problems typically arise.

Join the conversation and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes as we continue to learn from the people shaping how technology, work and leadership evolve.

Episode #7 - Donna O’Leary

Michael Kearney joins the Straight Line Path Podcast to share how discipline, teamwork and strong personal standards have shaped his career in franchising and professional sport.

He brought the Snap Printing franchise from Australia to Ireland in 1984 and grew it to 20+ locations, served as Irish Rugby Team Manager for five years, was a finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009 and now mentors Irish rugby players and entrepreneurs alike.

In this episode, we explore what franchising looks like from the inside, how to assess the right opportunities, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can accelerate your path. Mick discusses leadership, consistency, networks and the habits that create long-term opportunity in any industry.

Join the conversation and subscribe now to stay updated on future episodes as we continue to explore the ideas, experience, and people shaping business and personal growth.

John Collins, the founder of Yogen, has a rich history in the tech industry, having worked with giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Snapchat. His diverse experience spans across Silicon Valley, Germany, and the U.S., where he has been a pivotal advisor in the startup ecosystem.

Exploring the future of hiring, in this episode, we delve into John's latest venture, Yogen, and its revolutionary approach to transforming the hiring process. We discuss the challenges of balancing the lean startup model, the importance of networking and how Yogen aims to de-risk and streamline hiring for companies of all sizes.

Join the conversation and subscribe now to stay updated on future episodes and learn more about the innovations shaping our world.

In our fourth episode, we sit down with Pat Lynch, a serial entrepreneur, author, and CEO with a diverse business background.

Pat shares his journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, reflecting on what it takes to start and scale a business without prior industry experience. Drawing on his decades of experience across leadership and startups, he discusses the importance of sales and marketing, the value of mentorship, and how these elements shape successful founders.

We also explore his experiences breaking industry monopolies, his thoughts on Ireland’s evolving business environment, and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on balancing business with personal life.

Join us for an inspiring and practical conversation with one of Ireland’s most experienced and self-made entrepreneurs.

In our third episode, we sit down with Marty Meany, founder of GanderPluck, to discuss the future of content and what it takes for businesses to stay visible in 2025.

With over a decade of experience in SEO, digital strategy and content creation, Marty shares how brands can leverage daily content opportunities, overcome the fear of imperfection, and build genuine connections with their audience. Drawing from his journey as both a creator and entrepreneur, he reveals why consistency beats perfection. We also explore Marty’s broader entrepreneurial path, navigating the “valley of despair", balancing multiple ventures (Goosed.ie & Dublin Craft Beer Tours), passion's role in entrepreneurship and the lessons learned from years in Ireland’s tech and creative scenes.

Join us for an honest and insightful conversation on mastering visibility, creativity, and momentum in the digital age.

In our second episode, we sit down with Andreea Wade, a former AI founder turned early-stage investor with Delta Partners VC in Dublin. Andreea’s career is anything but conventional, spanning journalism, music festival management, AI startups, and mentoring, before making the leap into venture capital. Drawing on her product and startup expertise, she now invests in the next wave of founders.In our conversation, Andreea shares her journey of building an AI-first company, the challenges of scaling, and why execution often matters more than the initial idea. We explore the traits she sees in successful founders, the role of AI in recruitment, and her perspective on the Irish startup ecosystem.

Join us for an insightful conversation with someone who has lived both sides of the table, Founder & Investor.

In our pilot episode, we sit down with Daragh Jordan, an Irish tech entrepreneur dedicated to helping busy people reclaim valuable time through innovative technology. Daragh is the CEO & Co-Founder of Magnate, a central messaging hub that brings Gmail, Slack, Outlook and more into one place.

Featured in The Times UK, Irish Independent, and Silicon Republic, and named to Ireland’s 30 Under 30, Daragh shares his journey as a second-time founder. He discusses the inspiration behind starting Magnate, the lessons learned from building his first venture, Grafton Digital, and the challenges of marketing in a competitive SaaS landscape. Along the way, he reflects on the advantages of being a repeat entrepreneur, the importance of personal branding and LinkedIn for B2B sales, and the role of mentorship in breaking through business ceilings.

Join us for all of the above and much more...