That Great Business Show

E35 That Great Business Show - Ireland's best business podcast

Hosted by Conall O Móráin

2.00" Norman Crowley, founder of Cool Planet (fka Crowley Carbon). This is an interview like no other. Norman has a completely different take on how to save our planet, something he says technology will be able to do by 2030, but of course we have to make changes. He covers so many topics from the inefficiency of cows, to how he could save the government €300m through energy efficiency, why he sells his businesses, ($750m sold to date), why he thinks there's too much politeness with staff and so, so, so much more. Thirty minutes of his thoughts will make you see climate change and many other topics in a completely different light. Norman's 'hire in a heartbeat'? Elon Musk. But does he really have his phone number?

32" Samantha King, founder of King Hair and Beauty. She was soooo bored by her work in corporate law Samantha dreamed of doing something with her life that made other people happy - so she became a hair extensionist - yes, there is such a thing. From the front room in her Wicklow home she has grown and grown her business, to supplying 200 outlets with her hair and beauty products, she's created her own design registered hair brush - the Jewel brush - but she's looking for a mentor to bring her business to the world. How she uses New York based Irish influencer Erika Fox, the best way to get influencer engagement and how much it costs. Her 'hire in a heartbeat'? Sonia Deasy of Pestle and Mortar.

55" Peter Jenkinson, CEO, WRKIT - a most unusual company that grew out of a 'side hustle' that Peter had when he was an Aer Lingus pilot. Finding he could negotiate discounts for his fellow pilots led to setting up an always profitable business that was already fully functioning when he retired as a pilot. Since the early days of offering insurance discounts the offer has now grown to a staggering 1,100 suppliers with a potential customer base of 500,000 people. And, that's only one fifth of the business. The big, big growth area during Covid has been their mental health programmes, and he explains how client Peter Mark hairdressers, used the WRKIT platform to keep furloughed staff engaged. Not surprisingly, Peter's 'hire in a heartbeat' is former British Airways / IAG boss, Willie Walsh who used to fly with Peter.

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3.00" Glaswegian Des Travers, CEO, DPD, Ireland's largest private parcel delivery service. From van driver to being the boss. How he was planning on a big downturn in his business because of Covid, but how, a fortnight later, he had to start hiring and training 850 new drivers as business jumped more than 50% year on year. He has seen Brexit cutting out the middleman in the UK with deliveries coming directly to Ireland from the EU, a surprising amount of drugs and contraband being found in parcels and why DPD won't be going all electric in West Cork just yet, but he is looking at the possibilities of drone deliveries. His 'hire in a heartbeat'? Barrack Obama.

30.00" One time midwife Bronagh Conlon, who successfully sold her food company just before a severe cancer diagnosis. How she created Ireland's first potato based poitín but it didn't get to the market and why she's raffling 5% of her Listoke Distillery, how a hand sanitizer saved her business, winning best European gin award, expanding into China and Russia and the drink culture differences between the two. Her 'hire in a heartbeat'? A bit of a no-brainer, as she chooses John Teeling, hugely successful drinks entrepreneur and (of course!) That Great Business Show alum - you can hear his incredible story on Episode 28.

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E33 That Great Business Show, Ireland's best business podcast, presented by Conall O Móráin

2.00" Did you know different regions in the UK offer different incentives to base your UK operation there? Shirley McCay (without a note in hand!), Country Director, UK Department of International Trade at the British Embassy in Ireland, brings us through most of those regions, what they offer and what sectors they specialise in, e.g. Leeds Bradford, medtech, Cornwall, drones, Belfast, creative industries. There are grants for apprenticeships and grants for office fit outs and much more. Shirley has a ten person team in Ireland to help guide Irish businesses (across every sector) through the maze. Shirley's 'hire in a heartbeat'? Pat O'Connor, co-founder of VRAI, who joined us on E32 - extolling the brilliance of his UK base in the NorthEast of England!

20" We have a programme (conservatively we think) valued at €100,000 for five companies of any size, shape or sector BUT they have to be based in Munster (you'll hear why). Virgin Media, Permanent TSB, Milk Bottle Labs (Shopify experts), Digital Business Ireland (networking digital businesses) and all the LEOs in the Munster region are all backing this 'Backing Business' initiative. They want to complete a digital transformation for five businesses that only need to demonstrate their mad desire to digitise to the very highest standard. Applications have been simplified to minutes. Any and every business in Munster should apply. Telling us about it are Mags Brennan, Head of Business Banking Permanent TSB, (her hire in a heartbeat - Jack Charlton) and Keith Mathews, founder Milk Bottle Labs (his hire in a heartbeat - Oonagh O'Hagan, founder Meaghers Pharmacy)

40" Barbara Sheehan, a health insurance 'lifer', took the opportunity of the Covid shut-down to do something she always wanted to do, to create a simple online tool www.HCC.ie to simplify choosing a health insurance plan. There are 320 different plans, most with very little difference between them, but still too many for any normal human to trawl through. Her website brings the choice down to a simple three. And why not one and only one? Well listen and she'll explain. Her 'hire in a heartbeat'? Jacinda Ardern, NZ Prime Minister.

That Great Business Show is sponsored by De Facto Shaving Oil, the world's best shaving oil. www.DeFactoShave.com

That Great Business Show is sponsored by De Facto Shaving Oil, the world's best shaving oil. www.DeFactoShave.com

Find all episodes at www.ThatGreatBusinessShow.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

E32 That Great Business Show, Ireland's best business podcast, presented by Conall O Morain

The 'Christmas' (in June) Special

2.30" Former corporate financier turned sandwich maker Jeananne O'Brien of Eatto tells how a trip to San Francisco brought sourdough bread back to Ireland a decade and a half ago, setting her off on a catering career. From one sandwich shop she ended up employing 220 (pre-Covid) in her catering empire that services many top tech companies. Listen carefully and you'll hear how she always said 'yes' to requests for business...then tried to work it all out. She's now started delivering meals to post-natal mums - is that the future? Her 'hire in a heartbeat'? Holly Tucker of Holly & Co, a source of great early-stage business tips.

22.00" One time army officer Pat O'Connor is co-founder of VRAI, a company literally on the cutting edge of VR and AI technologies that they are using to train people doing hazardous work. The idea partly came from an absolutely horrific incident that happened in Syria where Pat was serving with the UN. Now he's using what he's learnt to train offshore wind technicians, RAF pilots and many others whose work is dangerous, with the benefit that they can train in greater numbers, from the safety of a classroom or couch. The company is raising more money to expand into the massive US wind energy market and they're looking for smart investors who can open doors for them. Pat's 'hire in a heartbeat'? American author Daniel Pink, a man who says that humans love to "get better at stuff".

41.00" Have you ever thought of becoming an angel investor but you didn't know how to do it? John Phelan, All-Island Director of HBAN, the Halo Business Angel Network, gives us a masterclass in who, what, where, when and how to become an angel investor. He tells us what's hot and not, how Vietnamese are investing in Ireland and why he's determined to see the Government change the EIIS investment rules to fill a big funding void for very early stage companies. A wise man John in picking his 'hire in a heartbeat' choice because he opted for a duo - Mark Little, ex-RTE and now an entrepreneur, and mega successful Ciaran Connell, founder of Decawave.

1.02.00" Iconic Dublin city centre store, Arnotts, gets a staggering 6 million customers through the door in 'normal times'. A million of those people come during the Christmas rush (it's this week's theme after all) and they want five very different Irish companies, with 'giftable' ideas to join in that (gold) rush. They're offering up-and-running businesses a chance to work with the full Arnotts team, from marketing, PR, buyers, merchandisers and more - invaluable experience for companies that want to scale. Audrey Owens, Director of Innovation and Enterprise at Arnotts explains exactly who they're looking for and how simple it is to enter. But she does say that interest in 'Pitch 21' is already exceeding their expectations so get in quick. Audrey's 'hire in a heartbeat'? Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx.

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E31 That Great Business Show presented by Conall O Morain

400 days into lockdown and we all need a laugh. Team GBS (Great Business Show) were given special permission by FM 104's Strawberry Alarm Clock team - Jim Jim & Nobby - to bring you what we think is one of the funniest bits of radio for a very, very long time. We won't spoil it by telling you any more but do listen right to the end.

11.00" Sinead Heffernan, co-owner of Thunders Bakery, liked the company she audited so much that she bought the business. Since then she's grown the Dublin based business from 3 shops to 12, but interestingly, post-Covid, she says that bakeries will continue to move more online in the future. And she explains why our bakeries are 3 years behind London. Sinead's 'hire in a heartbeat'? - her go-to business guru, Simon Sinek, would do very nicely, thank you.

35.00" Special guest, HE Yolisa Maya, joins That Great Business Show to highlight some of the many opportunities available in South Africa for Irish businesses. English speaking, almost on the same time zone, with 400,000 unemployed graduates amongst the 60 million residents there's a new forum www.businessireland-capetown.co.za that aims to make trade links much easier to develop business behind the two countries.

58.00" Socks, bins, gene testing for fitness...just some of the perks offered to employees to entice them to work with, or to stay working with, companies in Ireland. But according to David Kindlon, a 'benefits expert', he says that the days of those kind of offers are limited. How does he know so much about these perks? Because he's co-founder with a fast growing Irish benefits platform, Eppione, that already has 900 companies signed up worldwide. And he says it's only the beginning. David would hire Richard Branson in a heartbeat, to help grow the business even faster.

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E30 That Great Business Show dot com - Ireland's best business podcast

Presented by Conall O Móráin

2.50" Anneliese Duffy, founder of Linen Shirt Company, tells her extraordinary story of starting work at 7...years of age! She's simply besotted by the rag trade and she wants to revive the garment manufacturing industry in Ireland. Based in Kilkenny (Ireland's best county, according to Dubliner Anneliese) she's waiting for Covid to pass before setting up her clothing academy in Kilkenny and while she's waiting she wants anyone interested in the industry to get in touch with her. Her 'hire in a heartbeat'? Entrepreneur Norah Casey

25.00" Menno Axt, Chief of Staff, NDRC, has money to give away. But only if your technology company (tech only!) makes it through to their upcoming Accelerator Programme - where businesses will be mentored by some big beasts of the tech and investment world. The NDRC also runs other programmes such as 'how to be a great mentor' and 'how to invest in start-ups'. Listen to Menno to find how how you can join in. His 'hire in a heartbeat'? Bill Gates.

43.00" Emma Maclean, founder Maclean Cleaning Services, is an exceptional woman having started cleaning through necessity, and transforming her business life by choosing to go on the 'Going for Growth' programme run by big TeamGBS supporter, Paula FitzSimons, and funded by Enterprise Ireland. For anyone who thinks they 'could never be an entrepreneur' be inspired by Emma's story. And, her 'hire in a heartbeat'? Her mentor and former boss of the Kilkenny Group, Marian O'Gorman.

1.00.04" Dr. Conor Kerley and brains behind early stage nutrition company Phytaphix. A promising athlete Conor was diagnosed with MS when he was just 15 years old, something that changed his life trajectory completely. He took a huge interest in food and nutrition and the effects they both have on our wellbeing. Have a listen to the incredible pills and potions that Dr. Conor has in the pipeline and what else may come next. Conor's 'hire in a heartbeat'? Professor Luke O'Neill, who is great company and great fun according to Conor.

That Great Business Show dot com is sponsored by De Facto, makers of the world's best shaving oil. www.DeFactoShave.com

Find all episodes at www.ThatGreatBusinessShow.com

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E29 That Great Business Show - Ireland's best business podcast

Presented by Conall O Móráin

2' Hannah Wrixon had joined That Great Business Show Episode 8 telling us about her plans for her hospitality recruitment platform Get the Shifts. Now she's back explaining why she has sold her 'baby' to one of Ireland's largest recruitment companies, FRS. Having poured blood, sweat and tears into her company, what was it like to sell?? What were the pre-sale chats like (tough!)? Will FRS bring her platform to the rest of the world? What's next for this super-entrepreneur? She asks why would anyone go into services as opposed to software. Hannah's 'hire in a heartbeat'? Michelle Obama. Find out why.

22' Is Hacketstown, County Carlow, Ireland's most entrepreneurial town? Another Hacketstown entrepreneur, Paula Butler, co-founder of Butler's Organic Eggs, gave up her administration career in Higher Education to care for 250 organic hens. She's now 'minding' 4,050 hens that produce 3,500 eggs every day, which is great until demand drops (for whatever reason). The hens keep going, so what can you do? How big can an organic egg business grow without losing its soul? What happened when Dubai asked for Irish organic eggs? Who would Paula hire in a heartbeat? Most of County Carlow it seems.

55' Emmet Kerrigan, co-founder of Galway based All About Kombucha, is a brother of another TeamGBS alum, Fergus Kerrigan of Ethos CBD, so it seems entrepreneurship is in genes. Hear how his first business started in Vancouver, Canada but thanks to the Canadian visa system he and his co-founder had to head back to Galway where they now are developing a kombucha business. Like so many businesses supplying the hospitality industry Covid caused them to pivot - and they're now shipping Kombuchas kits to customers - but glass fermenting jars don't travel well, so that was just one of the problems to be overcome. Next they're going to ship their kombucha kits to Europe - all from beautiful Galway. Their business has more energy than a small power station. And one of his 'hire in heartbeat' choices - Mother Theresa, as you would!

That Great Business Show is proudly sponsored De Facto Shaving Oil www.DeFactoShave.com

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From the very start Dr. John Teeling, a prolific entrepreneur, or as the Sunday Independent called him, a 'swashbuckling intellectual', shares his many business tips and insights with Conall O Morain.

As we always say, 'we do business differently' on That Great Business Show, so we pretty much left aside John's stacked CV and business biography (4 page resume!) and concentrated on what and where John would invest in, what he sees as future growth industries - he mentions LONO, bats and human ears amongst many others - which is why E28 of That Great Business Show is a 'must listen' - to find out what he's talking about. Enjoy.

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2.00" Patrice Butler, Business Partner, FIFO Capital - invoices turned into cash immediately, with no contract - a viable alternative to the banks. FIFO Capital is also looking for new investors - an opportunity for people to invest money and get a considerably better return on your money (between 8% - 15% per annum) - but do, do, do take advice. And Patrice wants to hire TeamGBS member Aimee Connolly ('Sculpted By Aimee') as her 'hire in a heartbeat'.

25.00" Dan Gandesha, co-founder Onate, a Kilkenny based alternative source of finance for B2B bridging finance to developers with property projects that need short term financing such as buildings that may need a small amount of refurb to make them market ready. Dan is a successful entrepreneur who has chosen to jump into a new (three months old) Kilkenny based business to see what comes of it! Dan's 'Hire in a Heartbeat'? Toto Wolff, CEO of Mercedes FI team. Find out why Dan thinks Toto is tops.

42.00" Una Herlihy, co-founder of the Indie List. How a hammock and a beer led to her founding a business bringing businesses and creatives together. If your business could do with short term or project based help from project managers, e-commerce experts or cool creative types, the Indie List is where you'll find them. Una's heartbeat hire is her sister - Marie Maher, because creative types aren't always great on the paperwork!

61.00" Philip Gardiner, Associate Director with Renatus. If you're not on their Sunday morning email mailing list you are missing out on some great weekly business intel. But that's not all they do. The real business is private equity investment and Philip explains what size companies (profits above €1m) and sectors (wait'll you hear it...) they invest in. He gives a big shout out to David Maxwell of one of their investee companies Boojum, the man Philip would hire in a heartbeat.

That Great Business Show is backed by that great shaving oil company De Facto. www.DeFactoShave.com But it today.

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E26 That Great Business Show - Ireland's best business podcast - presented by Conall O Móráin

1.40" Dave Kerr, boss at Wicklow based VBT IT solutions, is a rock star. He's had 5,000 views already on his LinkedIn page about his highly unusual hobby of 'rock running'...running 6m under the ocean carrying heavy rocks. Why does he do it? It's great for business. Dave also shares his other business hacks. And who would he 'hire in a heartbeat'? Well, he wants a cross between Stuart Lancaster and Brian O'Driscoll, but more for gossip than business!

17.00" Patrick Buckley is Managing Director at Mallow, Cork based EPS Group - a real golden nugget of a company that employs over 500 people. But Patrick joined Team GBS not to talk EPS (he got his pitch in however!) but to talk about LINC a North Cork, East Limerick network of engineering companies. He explains why competitor companies working together rather than against each other makes companies stronger and more successful. He says that sectoral clusters should be the new FDI for Ireland. His 'hire in a heartbeat'? Julie Sinnamon, outgoing boss of Enterprise Ireland but he's not sure if he could afford her!

40.30" Claire MacEvilly, Corporate Affairs Director with Danone, explains why every company should look at becoming a B Corp, part of a worldwide movement to promote businesses to be more than just for profit, but to be a force for good in society. Becoming a B Corp is also good for the bottom line with other member firms keen to promote the concept and sales rising sharply as the public recognises those companies that are making a wider effort. Claire had two choices that she would 'hire in a heartbeat' - actor Alan Alda and philanthropist Chuck Feeney. She met both. Find out what she thought of them.

56.00" Ireland will have a staggering 150,000 person shortfall in the IT sector next year according to Luke Treacy, General Manager of the Dublin Coding School. Part of a successful chain of coding schools, the Dublin satellite has just opened. They say they can train people to entry level in IT skills like Data Analytics and Systems Testing, in just ten weeks. Luke thinks it's an ideal option for the many who worry their jobs will not return post-Covid. And he brought our 'hire in a heartbeat' feature distinctly upmarket, saying he would hire successful businessman (also writer!) William Shakespeare to join his team.

www.ThatGreatBusinessShow.com is sponsored by www.DeFactoShave.com

That Great Business Show is recorded at the Dublin South FM podcast studios.

Find all episodes at www.ThatGreatBusinessShow.com

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