Design Innovation & Sustainability. Laura McDermott (Colectivo)
Hire world-class accountants and in The Philippines. Visit Outsource Direct to scale your operations with higher flexibility, maximum efficiency and much lower costs.Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.In Series 10, Episode #91, I interview Laura McDermott, Founder and CEO of Colectivo, a sustainability consultancy. The discussion covers various aspects of Colectivo's services, including advancing sustainability strategies, implementing change programs, and redesigning products and services. Laura shares her journey from living in Spain to establishing Colectivo in Ireland, the benefits of the adjunct consultancy model, and her passion for design innovation in sustainability. We also explore the challenges Laura faced in rebuilding her local business network after returning to Ireland and the importance of mindfulness and journaling in maintaining focus and calm under pressure.CONNECT WITH CONOR:LinkedInCONNECT WITH LAURA:LinkedInWebsiteDiscover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.
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From Bedroom Start-Up To €70 Million Turnover. Ciaran Marron (Activ8 Solar Energies)
Hire world-class accountants and in The Philippines. Visit Outsource Direct to scale your operations with higher flexibility, maximum efficiency and much lower costs.Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.In Series 10, Episode #90, I sit down with Ciaran Marron, founder and CEO of Activ8 Solar Energies. Ciaran shares his incredible journey of starting from a makeshift office in a rented house's back bedroom to building a large-scale solar energy business with over 300 staff and a turnover of 70 million euros. He discusses overcoming early challenges like cash flow issues, adapting to market changes, and scaling operations across Ireland, the UK, and Europe. Ciaran also touches on his risky yet successful ventures, including landing a crucial deal with SSE Arena and forging a strategic partnership with SSE Airtricity.CONNECT WITH CONOR:LinkedInCONNECT WITH CIARAN:LinkedInInstagramWebsiteDiscover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.
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Bankruptcy, Self-Belief & Cardboard Cutouts. Michael Flynn (Mattress Mick)
Hire world-class accountants and in The Philippines. Visit Outsource Direct to scale your operations with higher flexibility, maximum efficiency and much lower costs.Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.In Series 10, Episode #89, I interview Michael Flynn, famously known as Mattress Mick. Michael shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Dublin's Pearse Street, working in a bank, and taking over the family business, to experiencing significant business failures and ultimate success. After his furniture business crashed during the 2009 recession, Michael invented the Mattress Mick persona, which propelled him to become Ireland’s leading mattress retailer through innovative marketing strategies. Michael discusses the importance of resilience, believing in oneself, and leveraging social media for business growth. He also touches on personal experiences, humanitarian efforts, and the role of faith and community support in his ventures. CONNECT WITH CONOR:LinkedInCONNECT WITH MATTRESS MICK:TikTokInstagramWebsiteDiscover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.
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From College Project To Successful Business, Market Pivots & Implementing Company Values. Fionn Barron (Tracworx)
Hire world-class accountants and in The Philippines. Visit Outsource Direct to scale your operations with higher flexibility, maximum efficiency and much lower costs.Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.In Series 10, Episode #88, I interview Fionn Barron, co-founder and Chief Customer Officer at Tracworx. Fionn shares his experiences from starting a business as a college project to creating a successful company that tracks returnable transport items like kegs, pallets, and cylinders. The discussion covers the challenges of finding and keeping world-class talent, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of customer commitment and market pivots. Additionally, the conversation delves into the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, including imposter syndrome and the importance of maintaining a balance between business goals and integrity.CONNECT WITH CONOR:LinkedInCONNECT WITH FIONN:LinkedInTracworxDiscover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.
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Acquisition, Software & Potential. Stuart McCaul (Ishikawa Technologies)
Hire world-class accountants and in The Philippines. Visit Outsource Direct to scale your operations with higher flexibility, maximum efficiency and much lower costs.Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.In Series 10, Episode #87, I talk to Stuart McCaul, founder of Ishikawa Technologies. Stuart shares his journey from working in software sales to acquiring and scaling software businesses through Ishikawa Technologies. We discuss the importance of founder-led businesses, the process of acquiring such companies, Stuart’s hands-on approach to leadership, and his healthy level of imposter syndrome. Stuart also highlights the importance of remote working, the potential of AI in SaaS, and his involvement with the charity An Taisce.CONNECT WITH CONOR:LinkedInCONNECT WITH STUART:LinkedInIshikawa TechnologiesDiscover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.
A show about great Irish businesses, and the people who built them. Stay tuned for weekly conversations with an eclectic selection of guests covering their challenges, triumphs, inspirations and more. Hosted by me, Conor Kearney from Jetbooks.ie
Ireland