10forty

This week on the 10forty Podcast, we’re joined by Irish snooker legend Fergal O'Brien — a man whose career is a masterclass in patience, resilience, and relentless dedication to his craft.

From the most humble of beginnings a small tabletop snooker set in his kitchen at just seven years old. Fergal’s journey is proof that greatness doesn’t need perfect conditions, just obsession and consistency.

That early spark turned into a remarkable career spanning over three decades at the very top of professional snooker. Known for his grit, discipline, and mental toughness, Fergal competed against the best in the world in one of the most demanding individual sports there is.

We dive into the highs, the pressure, and the defining moments — including his unforgettable victory at the 1999 British Open, where he battled through elite competition to claim the biggest win of his career and cement his place in Irish snooker history.

From breaking into the world’s top ten, to experiencing the explosion of snooker in China where players are treated like stars, this conversation explores the evolution of both the sport and the mindset required to stay at the top.

Now retired from professional play, Fergal continues to shape the game as a coach, mentor, and commentator — passing on decades of experience to the next generation.

This episode is about more than snooker.

It’s about:
• Respecting the process
• Committing to constant improvement
• And sustaining excellence over time

A story of quiet determination, longevity, and doing the simple things exceptionally well.

This is the story of a man who didn’t just play the game — he lived it.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists helping businesses hire best‑in‑class talent across Ireland and internationally.
https://www.tdtalent.ie/

Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, with modern facilities, long‑ or short‑term options, and complete peace of mind when space matters.
https://nesta.ie/business-storage/

Get 25% off your first month’s storage using code CS25

HERE WE GO.

Want to share your own career journey on the podcast — or shine a light on a specific industry?

Reach out: [email protected]
Sponsorship opportunities: [email protected]

This week on the 10forty Podcast, we’re joined by a Ballyfermot legend — Kevin Kavanagh.

A man whose story is built on hard work, grit, community spirit… and a lifetime spent mastering the real art of retail.

Kevin’s journey starts young — just 14 years old — when he stepped into Nicholls and quickly found himself at home on the shop floor. Surrounded by bedding, towels, curtains and the fast pace of retail, he began learning the trade from the ground up.

From Nicholls to BT’s…
From BT’s to Guineys…
He didn’t just learn textiles — he learned people, relationships and what it really takes to build a business.

And once he found his feet, he knew one thing: he wanted to do it for himself.

Spending so much time in Ballyfermot, there was only one place to build something of his own.

And that’s exactly what he did.

Kevin’s shop didn’t just open its doors — it created opportunities.
• Jobs for local people.
• Value for families.
• A place that quickly became part of the community.

But like every great story, the real test came during the Celtic Tiger collapse.

Where others closed, Kevin doubled down.
Where others pulled back, he pushed forward.

Instead of shutting stores, he opened more — not because it was easy, but because people needed work and Kevin wasn’t willing to let them down.

From tough times to real success…
From one shop floor to a loyal community…
From a teenage apprentice to a respected local figure…

Kevin’s journey is one of resilience, loyalty and heart.

Because at the centre of everything he does is something simple — but rare:
• Kevin cares.
• About his team.
• About his customers.
• About Ballyfermot.

This is the story of a man who didn’t just build a business — he built a community.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists helping businesses hire best‑in‑class talent across Ireland and internationally.
https://www.tdtalent.ie/

Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, with modern facilities, long‑ or short‑term options, and complete peace of mind when space matters.
https://nesta.ie/business-storage/

Get 25% off your first month’s storage using code CS25

HERE WE GO.

Want to share your own career journey on the podcast — or shine a light on a specific industry?

Reach out: [email protected]
Sponsorship opportunities: [email protected]

This week on the 10forty Podcast, we’re joined by someone truly special — Feebee Foran, the founder of Forager, the award-winning Irish skincare and wellness brand hand foraged in the Dublin Hills. [forager.ie]

Feebee’s story is one of intuition, reinvention and returning to the land.

Known by many as The Green Witch, she started her journey humbly — a 16-year-old working in Barretts Shoes in the Square, Tallaght, before heading to Griffith College to study journalism. From there, she stepped into leadership early, running a flagship opticians with a team of eighteen. After graduating, she moved into brand communications with Timemark, building a career grounded in creativity, storytelling and brand identity.

But like many great transformations, Feebee’s turning point arrived unexpectedly.

During the Covid lockdowns, the Bohernabreena allotment became her sanctuary — a space that kept her grounded and sane. What began as time spent with soil, herbs and wild weeds grew into something much bigger: the birth of Forager.

But Feebee’s mission isn’t just about products — it’s about people, community and reconnecting with the earth.

She co-founded GrowAllot in the Bohernabreena allotments, an initiative designed to encourage people to grow their own food, reconnect with nature and experience the mental health benefits of working with the land.

From journalism to retail leadership to brand building…

From wild weeds to award‑winning skincare…

From personal grounding to community transformation…

Feebee Foran’s journey shows what can happen when you back your instincts, put your hands in the work and build something with real purpose behind it.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists helping businesses hire best‑in‑class talent across Ireland and internationally.
https://www.tdtalent.ie/

Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, with modern facilities, long‑ or short‑term options, and complete peace of mind when space matters.
https://nesta.ie/business-storage/

Get 25% off your first month’s storage using code CS25

HERE WE GO.

Want to share your own career journey on the podcast — or shine a light on a specific industry?

Reach out: [email protected]
Sponsorship opportunities: [email protected]

This week on the 10forty Podcast, we’re joined by James — whose journey is a testament to unexpected paths and the power of backing yourself.

James starts by taking us back to his early years, growing up in Ballyfermot before moving to Edenderry. His parents were told he wouldn’t amount to much. But instead of letting that shape him, it quietly fuelled the determination that would define the years ahead.

After finishing school, James headed to Athlone to study biochemistry. But like many people discovering who they really are, he quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit. That decision led him into a completely different world: business management and the challenge of setting up a business at a young age.

But everything changed when James found Sales.

Before entering the motor industry, he spent time working in Arnotts and Weirs, where he developed a love for watches. This period wasn’t just retail experience; it was where James honed the people‑skills, confidence and product knowledge that would form the foundation of his next chapter.

From there, James moved into car sales — and everything clicked.

Not only did he thrive, but he rose through the ranks and eventually stepped into marketing management, carving out a career path far removed from the expectations placed on him growing up.

Alongside the hands‑on learning, James continues to study PR and Marketing, investing in the next phase of his professional story.

If you’re interested in career pivots, skill‑building, the power of persistence, or the reality of climbing your way up through self‑belief — this episode is one you’ll connect with.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists helping businesses hire best‑in‑class talent across Ireland and internationally.
https://www.tdtalent.ie/

Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, with modern facilities, long‑ or short‑term options, and complete peace of mind when space matters.
https://nesta.ie/business-storage/

Get 25% off your first month’s storage using code CS25

HERE WE GO.

Want to share your own career journey on the podcast — or shine a light on a specific industry?

Reach out: [email protected]
Sponsorship opportunities: [email protected]

This week on the 10forty Podcast, we’re joined by Shay Lally from Houses to Restore — the man behind some of the most impressive renovation projects happening in Ireland right now.

Shay takes us inside the wide mix of work he’s managing at the moment: full home renovations, sensory rooms in schools, church restoration projects — including Dolphin’s Barn Church — and multiple house transformations all running at once.
But long before building one of Ireland’s fastest-growing renovation platforms, Shay’s world looked very different.

After finishing his Leaving Cert, he took a gap year playing percussion with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, performing regularly before heading to college to study Quantity Surveying.

We dive into what it really takes to be a QS — understanding materials, pricing and budgets, negotiating with suppliers, managing trades, and keeping projects on track when emotions (and costs) start to rise. Shay also breaks down the reality of pricing renovation work and why renovating your own home is never just a financial decision — it’s an emotional one.

Alongside all of this, Shay runs the Mobile Music School, bringing music workshops to schools across the country — a full-circle nod to the musical roots that started it all.
Today, Houses to Restore has grown into a community of over 75,000 Instagram followers, all tuning in for the transformations, the craftsmanship and the behind-the-scenes chaos and creativity that come with every project.

If you’re interested in renovating, building, design or unconventional career paths — this episode is for you.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists, helping businesses hire top-tier talent across Ireland and internationally. https://www.tdtalent.ie/

Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, offering modern facilities, short- and long-term options, and peace of mind when space matters. https://nesta.ie/business-storage/

Get 25% off your first month’s storage using the code CS25

HERE WE GO.

Want to share your own career journey on the podcast — or highlight a particular job or industry?

Get in touch: [email protected] ☕
Sponsorship opportunities: [email protected]