In this episode, Alison McGonagle from WestBIC sits down with Evelyn Mc Glynn, entrepreneur, author, trainer and business coach with a passion for empowering women in business, building strong networks and encouraging a culture of giving across both business and community.

Evelyn's own story is one of resilience and reinvention: after 20 years as a stay-at-home mum, she launched her marketing career in her 40s, proof that it's never too late to start and succeed. As owner of evelynmcmarketing.com, she's celebrating 14 years in business, mentoring SMEs to grow, adapt and thrive, and building extensive networks across Donegal and Europe along the way.

In this conversation, Evelyn talks openly about starting her journey later in life, tackling imposter syndrome and learning to name your inner critic, and how to navigate marketing trends on a limited budget. She digs into the crucial difference between working in your business versus on it, and why solving a real problem for your customer, with clarity on exactly what you're offering, is at the heart of it all.

Evelyn is also the face behind the much-loved Donegal Mammy brand, sharing relatable, humorous and heartfelt takes on everyday life and community.

As founder of Donegal Giving, she's built a community-led initiative celebrating the power of giving time, talent and support, including a Transition Year programme that helps young people build confidence and discover their own capacity to give back.

This is a conversation about communication, curiosity and connection, and about what's possible when you commit to all three, at any stage of life.

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

What does it actually take to scale a small business without burning out, losing focus, or watching another business plan gather dust in a drawer?

We recently sat down with Rebecca Lyons, founder of BEXL and creator of The Momentum Map, to get into exactly that.

Her advice for overwhelmed founders is refreshingly simple: tackle one thing at a time, and turn off your emails for an hour to actually get the work done. On negotiation, she makes the case for leaving ego at the door, coming prepared, and flipping your mindset to find the win-win. We also got into what scaling without burnout really looks like in practice, not as a slogan, but as a set of choices founders can make day to day. And her one-page Momentum Map cuts through the noise to help founders move from scattered ideas to focused, meaningful action.

Rebecca brings over two decades of experience inside scaling businesses, combining deep financial expertise with hands-on operational know-how, and it shows.

If you're a founder feeling overwhelmed and drowning in advice, this one is for you.

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

In this episode of WestBIC’s Enterprising Podcast, Greg Heaslip breaks down the practical side of using AI in business. From understanding different AI models to crafting effective prompts using the CLEAR framework, Greg shares actionable insights for entrepreneurs looking to leverage AI tools intelligently.

He discusses why human judgement remains essential when working with AI, and explores how start-ups can use AI for customer discovery and market research.

Whether you're AI-curious or already experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, this conversation offers grounded advice on making AI work for your business without losing sight of what matters most: your own critical thinking and customer understanding.

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

"Be very confident about your own pillars and reasons for doing what you are doing. But be prepared and actively seek to be challenged." – Brandon Blacoe, CEO & Co-Founder, ByoWave

This month on WestBIC’s Enterprising Podcast, we catch up with Brandon Blacoe, who first joined us in 2022, just as ByoWave was emerging from the Beta phase and forging exciting partnerships—including one with Microsoft—to bring the Proteus Controller to life.

In this episode, Brandon talks about the impact of strategic partnerships, the significance of their recent €1.5M investment, plans to scale into the US market, and the vital support of Enterprise Ireland. He also shares what it means to run a company that blends social impact with business growth, and offers valuable advice for aspiring social entrepreneurs.

ByoWave is on a mission to change the game in accessible tech—and Brandon’s insight into that journey is packed with lessons for founders at every stage.

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

In the latest episode of WestBIC’s Enterprising Podcast, we welcome back Ruairi Dooley, co-founder of BiaSol, to reflect on the company’s growth over the past three years.

Ruairi shares key moments in BiaSol’s journey, insights into innovation and investment, and the realities of building a sustainable business in today’s market.

Key themes discussed include:

Keeping pace with trends in the food industry

Accepting that "good enough" can be a catalyst for progress

The evolving consumer attitudes towards sustainability

This episode offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders navigating growth, innovation, and change.

Visit https://www.biasol.ie/ to learn more about their product range.

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

In the latest episode of WestBIC’s Enterprising Podcast, we welcome back Ruairi Dooley, co-founder of BiaSol, to reflect on the company’s growth over the past three years.

Ruairi shares key moments in BiaSol’s journey, insights into innovation and investment, and the realities of building a sustainable business in today’s market.

Key themes discussed include:

Keeping pace with trends in the food industry

Accepting that "good enough" can be a catalyst for progress

The evolving consumer attitudes towards sustainability

This episode offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders navigating growth, innovation, and change.

Visit https://www.biasol.ie/ to learn more about their product range.

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

In this episode of WestBIC’s Enterprising Podcast, host Colleen Baxter sits down with Gráinne Mullins, the award-winning pastry chef turned entrepreneur behind Grá Chocolates.

Gráinne shares her journey from working in Michelin-starred kitchens to building a luxury chocolate brand renowned for its artistry and quality.

She opens up about the challenges of scaling a premium handmade product, the lessons learned along the way, and the pivotal moments that signaled her brand’s success. With International Women’s Day in mind, Gráinne also discusses how the business community can better support female entrepreneurs.

Tune in for insights into the balance between creativity and business leadership, the power of mentorship, and, of course, a quick-fire round to wrap it all up!

Listen now and satisfy your sweet tooth at grachocolates.com.

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

In this episode of WestBIC’s Enterprising Podcast, Mary Ryan, Deputy CEO of WestBIC sits down with Mary McKenna. Mary is a Donegal-based entrepreneur, angel investor, and co-founder of AwakenHub—a social enterprise dedicated to supporting women founders across Ireland. She is also the Chair of AwakenAngels, Ireland’s first and only all-island, women-led investment community.

Mary shares her entrepreneurial journey, reflecting on the struggles of raising investment in 2006 and how the investment landscape has evolved. She emphasizes the importance of being ambitious from day one, grasping opportunities, and recognizing that every opportunity is connected to a network.

Join us as we discuss investing in female founders, the power of networks, and accelerating action for gender equality ahead of International Women’s Day 2025. Plus, don’t miss our fun quick-fire round to wrap up the episode!

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

In today’s tech-driven world, keeping up with digital trends can feel overwhelming, especially for smaller businesses and public organisations. But that’s where Data2Sustain steps in.

In this episode, John Brennan, CEO of WestBIC, and Mike Conroy, Director of Data2Sustain, unpack the critical role of Data2Sustain, a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), in helping businesses transition toward sustainability through digital innovation.

Key highlights include:

• An introduction to Data2Sustain’s services, such as Business Model Development, 'Test-Before-Invest,' pilot projects, and skills training.
• The importance of combining tech and sustainability expertise to drive impactful change.
• Overcoming challenges like AI adoption and closing the digital skills gap.

Small businesses can often struggle to keep up with digital advances, so Data2Sustain is here to level the playing field. By providing access to technology and expert advice, the hub helps SMEs boost competitiveness, streamline their operations, and explore new growth opportunities.

For more information visit https://data2sustain.ie/ or contact WestBIC directly on https://www.westbic.ie/

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

In this episode, Mary Ryan, Deputy CEO at WestBIC, delves into the specifics of Enterprise Ireland's Pre-Seed Start Fund. She provides a comprehensive overview of the fund, explaining its purpose and the crucial role it plays in nurturing early-stage start-ups. Mary details the eligibility criteria, outlining who can apply and the types of projects and entrepreneurs the fund is designed to support.

Furthermore, Mary discusses the application process, offering valuable insights and tips for potential applicants to improve their chances of success. She also emphasises how WestBIC can support you throughout the process, from initial application to securing funding.

Mary's insights make this episode an invaluable resource for anyone considering applying for the Pre-Seed Start Fund, providing clarity and guidance on leveraging this opportunity for business growth and innovation.

To find out more about our unique service offerings, contact us at www.westbic.ie

Tell us if you found this episode beneficial!

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn

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