The Entrepreneur Experiment

James was just 17 when he hacked the Apple iPod Nano. This act of creativity catapulted him into the world's spotlight.

His next massive success was establishing CoderDojo to teach kids about technology & coding. What began as a small group in Cork soon spread all over the globe.

James gives us a compelling account of his exceptional journey. We also shed light on the emotional toll of his period, delving into the burnout he experienced, the self-reflection that followed, and the significance of self-care when charting such an ambitious path.

We explore the challenges of maintaining authenticity in the face of success, the pitfalls of seeking external validation, and the merits of finding joy in the journey itself instead of the end result.

After spending time in the Middle East as CTO of a major tech company, James now splits his time between Japan and Ireland while building Conjure, his latest project.

My Season Partners

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Music by Andrew Applepie

Our mentor today is Sonia Deasy, the co-founder of Pestle and Mortar.

This is one of our earliest episodes in the podcast, way back in episode 21.

Sonia shares with us the level of work that goes into what can seem like an overnight success story of when she appeared on QVC in America.

This was a massive tipping point for the brand. They sold out all inventory and it launched the brand into the American market.

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Visit My Partners for Season 15

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Music: Andrew Applepie.

Get ready to be captivated as we sit down with Ray Nolan, a self-made and self-taught tech genius who has carved a niche for himself in the entrepreneurial world.

Ray built and sold Hostelworld for one of Ireland's biggest tech sales at the time for $500 million.

Nolan is now the powerhouse behind eDesk Software. Our conversation explores his remarkable journey from a teenage coder to his current achievements and the highs and lows that punctuated his path to success. 

We discuss the importance of mentoring CEOs and management teams, facilitating successful company sales, and the indispensable role technology plays as an enabler. This episode is rich with insights, as Nolan deliberates on the challenges and prospects of entrepreneurship, the need for improvements in the startup ecosystem, and the potential pitfalls of setting the wrong objectives. The Irish government's role in entrepreneurship and strategic steps to expedite projects also merit our discussion. 

As we wind up, we reflect on the journey and success of eDesk Software, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the difficulty of hiring a new CEO. Nolan emphasizes the importance of maintaining a focused role in product development and understanding an entrepreneur's journey to success. This episode is a must-listen for budding entrepreneurs or anyone interested in the business world. Let's tune in and learn from one of Ireland's most successful entrepreneurs, Ray Nolan.

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Visit My Partners for Season 15

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In the Lab today, I answer one of the most common questions I get sent by listeners. When should I quit my job and how will I know its the right time to leave?

I share the lessons from over 300 episodes and the exact plan I used to boot strap my business from €500 to €500k.

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Visit My Partners for Season 15

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Visit Square: https://squ.re/3x8oiOo

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Embodying personal growth and self-belief, today's episode promises to be nothing short of inspirational. We sit down with James McCormack, an entrepreneur who's carved out a niche in the coffee sector, transforming lives via Dublin Barista Institute, and delighting taste buds with his performance coffee, Oyl. James' story of turning his life around, from grappling with obesity and alcoholism to becoming the healthier and more focused person he is today, is something we all can learn from.

Our conversation with James takes us on a journey exploring the importance of self-care, the role of technology and social media, and the generational shift towards health and self-improvement. James shares his insights into how he has harnessed the power of an entrepreneurial mindset to thrive in the unpredictable storm of the pandemic. His story offers motivation, inspiration, and the valuable lessons he's learned about self-belief and overcoming self-doubt.

Delving deeper, we unpack how James has developed good habits, the nuances of maintaining a balance between discipline and a normal life, and the value of having a strong support system. We explore the importance of attention to detail, dive into how James would invest 10 million euro and discuss his vision for the future. Ending with sound advice for entrepreneurs, this episode is a treasure trove of knowledge, insight, and tips for personal and professional growth. So join us on this transformative journey with James McCormack, and get ready to be inspired.

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Visit My Partners for Season 15

Sponsored by Square - Power your Business with Square

Visit Square: https://squ.re/3x8oiOo

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 - Wealth Summit - 

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Your mentor today is Rhona Togher, co-founder of the Lios Group.

How do you know when to go all in on your business? That is the question that haunts most first-time founders. Many never get past this stage.

Rhona tells us her story of quitting college and risking everything she had to make the business work.

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Visit My Partners for Season 15

Sponsored by Square - Power your Business with Square

Visit Square: https://squ.re/3x8oiOo

- Location Partner: Iconic Offices -

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 - Wealth Summit - 

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To celebrate a landmark episode, I invited back 4 of the best entrepreneurs I've had the pleasure of meeting over the last 300 episodes for a special live episode. 

We go deep on how early-stage businesses access capital, what early strategies they used to grow during turbulent environments such as Covid and what innovative plans they have to expand even during uncertain financial markets.

If you are an early-stage entrepreneur, this episode is a must-listen for practical insights and financial planning.

I am joined by:

- Peigin Crowley, founder of Ground Wellbeing

- Matthew Coffey, co-founder of Squid

- John Ryan, founder of Gigable

- Niall Harty, co-founder of All Real Nutrition

This episode was brought to you in association with The EIIS Innovation Fund & Quintas Capital.

I am proud to announce that I have joined the EIIS Innovation Fund as a special advisor. The fund, operated by Quintas Capital invests in innovative SMEs while investors benefit from 40% income tax relief.

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Visit My Partners for Season 15

Sponsored by Square - Power your Business with Square

Visit Square: https://squ.re/3x8oiOo

- Location Partner: Iconic Offices -

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 - Wealth Summit - 

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Today is a different episode. It is an honest story about the journey I've been on with mental health over the last 3 years.

Warning: I talk about difficult issues such as miscarriage and suicide so if either of those topics might upset you, please consider not listening to this one. You can revisit it at another time.

This is not expert advice or claiming to have the answers. This is simply me sharing my own journey in the hope it might help one other person.

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Visit My Partners for Season 15

Sponsored by Square - Power your Business with Square

Visit Square: https://squ.re/3x8oiOo

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My most requested topic to cover is failure. However, it's not so easy. Rarely do people want to talk about it and when they do, their memories can be less than honest.

Connor Murphy was one of the few people to speak openly on failure and what it truly taught him.

Connor was the founder of Datahug which was sold for $13 million in 2016 and is now the founder of Bridge. 

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Visit My Partners for Season 15

Sponsored by Square - Power your Business with Square

Visit Square: https://squ.re/3x8oiOo

- Location Partner: Iconic Offices -

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 - Wealth Summit - 

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Music by Andrew Applepie

Ever wondered how entrepreneurs adapt and thrive, even in the midst of a global pandemic? 

Our favourite returning guest, Rob Lipsett, gives us his on the art of adapting to become location-flexible, financially independent, and most importantly, time-free.

As we catch up with him, Rob reveals how he orchestrated his escape from the 9 to 5 grind and ventured into the exhilarating world of entrepreneurship, all while maintaining a healthy lifestyle and nurturing real-world interactions.

Rob's journey is nothing short of inspiring. He unveils the strategies he employed to reach his individual goals, manage distractions, and optimize productivity, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. We delve into Rob's wellness routine, how he strikes a balance between remote work and real-world interaction, and get a sneak peek into his investment strategies. His experiences, from starting a business post-breakup to the challenges of selling a physical product, are bound to resonate with budding entrepreneurs.

This episode isn’t just about business and entrepreneurship, it's also about personal growth and building a lifestyle that aligns with your values. You'll be inspired by Rob's insights on overcoming failure, his persistence, and the importance of authenticity. We also discuss his tactics for monetizing social media through sponsorships, brand deals, and various income streams. As we wrap up, Rob even reveals how he would spend a million euros! Join us, for an episode teeming with motivation, education, and inspiration.

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------

(0:00:00) - Entrepreneurship, Evolution, and Personal Milestones (0:10:42) - Escaping the Nine-to-Five Monotony (0:15:15) - Entrepreneurial Evolution and Deep Focus (0:26:38) - Balancing Remote Living and Real-World Interaction (0:32:31) - Evolution of Fitness and Wellness (0:42:26) - The Importance of Accountability in Fitness (0:52:38) - Starting a Business After Breakup (1:00:19) - Physical Product Challenges and Plans (1:08:05) - Importance of Authenticity and Overcoming Failure (1:14:17) - Persistence and Obsession (1:24:19) - Make Money on Social Media (1:27:52) - Personal Aesthetics, Online Presence, Opportunities (1:37:00) - Investments and Financial Advice (1:46:11) - Investing, Self-Care, and Fine Dining

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Visit My Partners for Season 15

Sponsored by Square - Power your Business with Square

Visit Square: https://squ.re/3x8oiOo

- Location Partner: Iconic Offices -

Claim your exclusive pod offer: https://bit.ly/iconicEE23

 - Wealth Summit - 

Use code fox150 to get special priced ticket: https://bit.ly/3r2yvfJ