Today's mentor is serial founder & investor, Ray Nolan.

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

He gives us a brutally honest assessment of the entrepreneur ecosystem in Ireland and the faults in the political support or lack of it. If you want to listen to the full episode with Ray, go back to episode 304. 

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Thanks to my season title partner

Local Enterprise Office: https://bit.ly/leodigital21 

Find out more about digitalisation for your business in the link above.

In this episode, I sit down with Phillip McGlade, the CEO of Therapie Clinics, to uncover the secrets behind building Europe’s largest aesthetics chain—a business turning over €100 million annually. With 77 clinics across the globe, Therapie has become a household name in beauty and wellness. But Phillip isn’t stopping there; he’s now expanding into fertility clinics, tackling deeply personal and impactful challenges.

We dive into the mindset that fueled 14 years of relentless growth, the sacrifices Phillip has made along the way, and how he balances family with building a business empire. You’ll hear about the big risks, bold moves, and lessons learned from scaling not just one, but two life-changing ventures.

Whether you're a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or just curious about what it takes to create a €100+ million business, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

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Thanks to my season title partner

Local Enterprise Office: https://bit.ly/leodigital21 

Find out more about digitalisation for your business in the link above.

In this episode, Gary sits down with Conor Sheridan, the mastermind behind Mad Egg & Nory, to dive into the nitty-gritty of the restaurant world and how he's shaking things up.

This is the second time Conor has been on the pod and we catch up on a whirlwind few years for Conor as he raised $25 million to build Nory, the operating system for restaurants.

Conor is building the ultimate operating system for restaurants to help them thrive, not just survive.

We chat about why so many restaurants struggle with profit, how digital tools can change the game, and what it takes to scale up from a local spot to a powerhouse brand. Whether you’re in hospitality or just hungry for business insights, Conor’s journey will inspire and entertain.

Tune in and get a taste of the future of dining!

Here is a sneak peek of some of the lessons in today's pod.

• Optimize for Efficiency: Profitability often hinges on operational efficiency rather than just increasing sales.
• Adapt Quickly: Embrace adaptability as a survival tool, especially in competitive or challenging markets.
• Leverage Technology: Use digital tools to streamline operations and stay competitive in a fast-evolving industry.
• Tell a Compelling Story: When fundraising, present a clear vision that solves real, pressing problems.
• Build a Strong Culture: Cultivating a positive work culture aligns your team with the mission and fuels growth.

Show Notes

Connect with Conor Sheridan:

• Mad Egg
• Nory

Connect with Gary Fox:

• Follow Gary on LinkedIn
• Join Gary's free weekly email newsletter community. 

Listen & Subscribe: Don’t miss out on future episodes where we uncover the founder’s formula for success. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Thanks to my season title partner

Local Enterprise Office: https://bit.ly/leodigital21 

Find out more about digitalisation for your business in the link above.

Today, we have a world exclusive. Will O'Brien unveils his stealth startup to the world for the first time.

Will is my pick for the rising star of season 22 and this episode will clearly show why.

Not only is he backed by some of the hottest investors in the world, he is solving a problem that could potentially save the world. 

Will shares the rationale behind keeping his company under wraps for so long, focusing on engineering challenges away from the public eye.

Our conversation then turns to the ambitious quest of seagrass restoration, an innovative solution for carbon removal. We explore the immense potential of scaling restoration efforts, fueled by global climate goals, and discuss the strategic fundraising journey that brought on board top-tier investors aligned with the venture's long-term vision.

Will is a fascinating guy and we explore some of his wilder adventures including going to live with Buddhist monks and writing letters to Denis O'Brien which landed him a dream job.

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Thanks to my season title partner

Local Enterprise Office: https://bit.ly/leodigital21 

Find out more about digitalisation for your business in the link above.

Every great founder needs a mentor. That is why every single week, I bring you a new one.

Bad writing and communication is holding your business back.  Learn how to unlock this marketing superpower in today's Mentor Moment. 

Eamon Fitzgerald has used writing and in particular email newsletters to grow a business worth millions.

Eamon is the founder of WineSpark.

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Thanks to my season title partner

Local Enterprise Office: https://bit.ly/leodigital21 

Find out more about digitalisation for your business in the link above.

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Listen to the full Eamon episode: https://youtu.be/YKIHvFW6hEc?si=6KtBT1xCZktYWpQ7 

Today, we sit down with Briain Curtin, the Irishman leading the marketing behind one of my favourite brands, Whoop. I've been using Whoop since 2019 to elevate my fitness, help recovery and guide me on my longevity journey.

As VP of Global Marketing, Briain is the brains behind campaigns with global superstars such as Rory McIlroy, Christiano Ronaldo and Michael Phelps.

Briain shares how Whoop has carved its unique path in the wellness industry through relentless innovation, a commitment to science-backed insights, and a user-centered design philosophy.

On top of all that, you'll get a marketing masterclass from one of the brightest minds in sports marketing. 

From helping elite athletes optimize their performance to supporting everyday individuals on their wellness journey, Whoop is transforming the way we understand our bodies. Briain discusses the brand’s approach to creating wearable tech that isn’t just a gadget but an empowering tool for life-changing health decisions.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The Whoop Philosophy: How Whoop approaches wellness from a health-first perspective, focusing on meaningful, real-time data.
• Innovation in Wearable Tech: What sets Whoop apart in the health tech industry, including its commitment to continuous improvement and cutting-edge features.
• The Power of Data: How Whoop’s technology provides actionable insights into recovery, sleep, and overall wellness.
• User-Centered Design: Why Whoop places its users at the heart of its innovation, constantly evolving to meet the needs of diverse groups, from athletes to professionals.
• Future of Health Tech: Briain’s insights into where the wellness industry is headed and Whoop’s role in shaping it.

Get a free Whoop & a month free: https://join.whoop.com/9736D656 

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Thanks to my season title partner

Local Enterprise Offices: https://bit.ly/leodigital21 

Find out more about digitalisation for your business in the link above.

Show Notes

Links & Resources:

• Whoop Website
• Connect with Briain Curtin on LinkedIn
• Check out Whoop’s latest features and advancements on social media: Instagram, Twitter

Every top founder needs a great mentor. Each week, I bring you a brand new mentor who can help you on your journey.

This week is a great friend of mine, my real-life mentor and accountability buddy, James McCormack.

In this raw episode, he shares the moment when he knew his life must change and the dramatic steps he took to reshape his entire world in the last 5 years.  To listen to the full episode, go to episode 302. 

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Thanks to my season partners

Local Enterprise Office: https://rebrand.ly/EELEO

Property Bridges: https://rebrand.ly/eepropbridge

Azure Communications: https://rebrand.ly/eeazure

 *Use code Fox20 to get a 20% discount with Azure

In this episode, I sit down with David Jelly, founder of Property Bridges, to explore his fascinating transition from the fast-paced world of banking to becoming a trailblazer in PropTech.

David shares his journey of becoming disillusioned with the traditional financial system and his bold leap into entrepreneurship. He reveals the critical moments and insights that pushed him to start Property Bridges, a platform transforming how people invest in property.

Through candid reflections on risk, failure, and resilience, David provides a roadmap for anyone feeling trapped in a corporate world and ready to pursue something meaningful.

We discuss how technology can solve real-world problems and reshape industries, and David offers practical advice for founders looking to innovate. This is a story about breaking free from convention, building something impactful, and navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

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Thanks to my season partners

Local Enterprise Office: https://rebrand.ly/EELEO

Property Bridges: https://rebrand.ly/eepropbridge

Azure Communications: https://rebrand.ly/eeazure

 *Use code Fox20 to get a 20% discount with Azure

Every succcessful founder I've met has a mentor. Each week I bring you a new mentor so you can access some of the world's best founders and have them for 10 minutes each week to guide you for the week ahead.

Your mentor this week is health and fitness entrepreneur Rob Lipsett. Rob is a regular guest on the pod as he represents a new breed of location-flexible, works off his own schedule, and has built a highly profitable business while doing it.

This week, we delve into why you just need to make tiny wins daily as opposed to trying to achieve superhuman feats.

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Thanks to my season partners

Local Enterprise Office: https://rebrand.ly/EELEO

Property Bridges: https://rebrand.ly/eepropbridge

Azure Communications: https://rebrand.ly/eeazure

 *Use code Fox20 to get a 20% discount with Azure

Paul Quigley, the founder of Newswhip, shares his extraordinary journey from the legal world to becoming a trailblazer in media analytics.

We analyse the early days of the Irish startup scene, where camaraderie and a post-economic crash environment gave rise to companies like Intercom and Boxever. Drawing parallels to today's world, Paul discusses the potential for groundbreaking startups emerging from global shifts like the COVID-19 pandemic and the advent of hybrid business models.

With an ever-evolving media landscape, Paul and I dive into the complexities of news consumption. Social media has become the dominant source for many, especially younger generations, but it brings its own set of challenges. We talk about the role of bias, the rise of news influencers, and how political figures like Donald Trump shape public discourse. Our conversation touches on the importance of curation and factual reporting, highlighting outlets that blend traditional journalism with modern platforms, while pondering the role of AI and influencers in redefining media norms.

Balancing innovation with maintaining success is a fine art, and Paul offers insights into his personal approach to mental and physical well-being. From sea swimming to silent retreats, he underlines the importance of managing the 'noise' in one's head. We reflect on the significance of curiosity and passion in business, underscoring the necessity of effective storytelling and marketing in building a successful brand. Financial security's impact on the entrepreneurial journey also features in our discussion, revealing the personal sacrifices and dedication required to thrive in the ever-changing media landscape.

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Thanks to my season partners

Local Enterprise Office: https://rebrand.ly/EELEO

Property Bridges: https://rebrand.ly/eepropbridge

Azure Communications: https://rebrand.ly/eeazure

 *Use code Fox20 to get a 20% discount with Azure