Take The Plunge | Business Podcast

We’ve all had those “should I actually do this?” moments, but not all of us follow through.This is the story of someone who did.A founder who, while sitting in a pub, took out a five-figure personal loan and decided to back himself. And years later, it paid off.In this episode of Take the Plunge, Playter founder & CEO Jamie Beaumont talks through the real journey... the detours, the bad timing, the mistakes, and the moments that forced him to start again. From an HR tech startup wiped out by Covid to building a lending platform that helps thousands of small businesses manage cash flow, Jamie takes us inside:- The pub-side NatWest loan that kicked everything off- The failed HR platform that led to Playter- The nerves behind sending Playter’s very first loan- Rethinking invoice finance with Playter Pay & Playter Boost- Why PPC and cold outbound didn’t work, and how brokers changed everything- The messy reality of 24/7 founder life- His “high-agency” hiring test (the escalator question)- What it’s really like raising both equity and debtIf you’re building something, rebuilding something, or thinking about taking a leap, this conversation is full of grounded, honest lessons about resilience, distribution, and the people you surround yourself with.About PlayterPlayter helps UK SMEs manage cash flow by spreading key bills and accessing flexible funding through products like Playter Pay and Playter Boost.About Take the PlungeTake the Plunge is the podcast from Swoop where founders share what pushed them to stop what they were doing and build something new. From the first spark to the scaling phase, and everything messy in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ciaran chats with Darren O’Reilly, founder & CEO of WholeSupp, on his journey from rugby and corporate life to launching a whole-food meal shake brand built on science, transparency and taste. Darren shares the grind of finding manufacturers, bootstrapping for three years, and building a challenger brand in a crowded nutrition space. Expect insight on manufacturing, omnichannel growth, hiring, partnerships, cash flow and smart funding.🎯 Key TakeawaysProblem → Product: After losing 23kg, Darren created a shake with 13 whole-food ingredients, co-developed with Dr. Brian Carson, using clinically backed doses.Trust & Quality: In a “Wild West” market, WholeSupp ensures transparency through informed-standard facilities and third-party testing.Taste Wins: 100+ sensory panels proved that nutrition only works if it tastes great.Data Focus: ~70% returning customers, 100+ monthly interviews, real-time insights and micro-influencer testing before paid growth.Omnichannel: Digital-first success now reinforced by Holland & Barrett rollout, sampling and staff training.Next Phase: Launching Ready-to-Drink (RTD) for on-the-go consumers.Lean Team: Keep fixed costs low, scale great people, and give ownership early.Funding Smart: Angels, grants, Enterprise Ireland and a fractional CFO—walked from early VC terms until metrics proved out.Email = Currency: Educational content (like VO₂ Max) outperforms hard-sell emails and drives loyalty.🔥 Memorable Quotes“If your product doesn’t taste great, you’re in trouble.”“Email is currency. Educate first, sell second.”“We’re data nerds—every decision starts with behavior.”“Growth isn’t everything; live and breathe the numbers.”⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro & mission 01:05 – Rugby to corporate life to 23kg loss sparks the idea 02:30 – 13 whole-foods and allergen-friendly formula 03:40 – Fixing the “Wild West” of supplement labelling 06:20 – Manufacturing pain: MOQs, packaging swings, 3 years to market 08:40 – Bootstrapping reality & the Shopify myth 10:00 – Launching via social proof → paid ads 11:50 – Functional nutrition and category trends 12:40 – Convenience & RTD vision 13:40 – Taste testing and customer honesty 15:40 – Data engine: high retention & feedback 17:30 – New SKU ‘Elevate’: hydration + creatine 19:10 – Defining the “healthy, active” consumer 20:10 – Team culture, first-hire lesson, and advisors 22:20 – Low fixed, flexible cost model 24:50 – Omnichannel proof: H&B rollout & activations 26:40 – Partnerships: Rugby refs, breathwork, Nadia Power 29:10 – Milestone 430k+ meals; target 500k 30:30 – Funding & CFO Val: angels, grants, EI 32:00 – Tracking metrics via StoreHero + Triple Whale 34:00 – Profitability vs growth; knowing when to scale 36:20 – Raising smart, not fast; proof before capital 37:30 – Email education wins; 3-week reorder = 80% chance of third order 39:00 – Next goal: RTD #2 in UK🔍 Keywords: WholeSupp, whole-food nutrition, RTD, DTC, omnichannel, third-party testing, customer research, micro-influencers, retention, Enterprise Ireland, angels, challenger brand, Holland & Barrett, functional nutrition, startup funding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ciaran sits down with Lisa Boissel, CEO of Miss Jones Group, to uncover her bold journey from Dublin’s nightclub scene to owning and scaling one of the UK’s most influential networks for personal and executive assistants.Lisa shares how she spotted a gap in the PA community, took the risk of acquiring Miss Jones during COVID, and leaned into tech and AI to modernise the business. From event planning stress to leadership growth, this conversation is packed with real-world insights for anyone navigating entrepreneurship, acquisitions, or community building.🎯 Key Takeaways:• Lisa transitioned from nightlife to entrepreneurship with no formal business background• She saw an opportunity in the PA & EA space and turned it into a thriving network• Acquiring Miss Jones during COVID was a high-stakes move rooted in conviction• Technology and AI have become essential to business operations and customer service• Community-building and strong relationships remain core to her event planning approach• Lisa prioritizes hiring people who are eager to grow with the business🔥 Memorable Quotes:“You can always go back and get a job — so take the risk.”“I always trust my intuition on things.“I want them to grow with the company.”⏱️ Chapters:00:00 – Intro to Lisa’s Journey01:25 – From Nightclubs to Business Ownership05:44 – Spotting the Gap in the PA Market07:28 – Growing the Miss Jones Network09:48 – Using Tech to Scale11:57 – The Challenges of Tech Development17:48 – AI Integration for Customer Experience19:25 – Buying Miss Jones During COVID23:25 – Navigating Event Planning Stress25:10 – Building a Strong Team30:21 – Expanding into New Markets32:47 – Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs34:28 – Lisa’s Vision for the Future🔍 Keywords:entrepreneurship, scaling a business, women in business, event planning, community building, PA network, acquisition, business technology, AI in business, startup growth, SME success Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a podcast for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs who are thinking of taking the plunge! This week Ciaran and his guest of this episode, Russ Wakeham, the founder and CEO of Two Drifters Distillery – a premium British rum company with a unique, carbon-negative footprint. In this episode, they dive deep into Russ's journey in the spirits industry, where he shares his experience of building a sustainable brand from the ground up.Two Drifters Distillery is not just known for its high-quality rum, but also for its commitment to sustainability, as the entire production process leaves a positive impact on the environment. Russ explains how they have combined their passion for great rum with innovative environmental practices to create a company that's both profitable and planet-friendly.Website: (https://twodriftersrum.com/)LinkedIn: [Russ Wakeham] (https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-wakeham-984a1938/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app)Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/2DriftersRum/)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/twodriftersrum/?hl=en)Ready to start your own business? You can get a head start with support from Swoop! Learn more about Swoop here 👉 https://app.swoopfunding.com/stageFollow Swoop on our social media platforms as well! LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/swoopfunding/?viewAsMember=true)Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/SwoopFunding)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/swoopfunding/?hl=en) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Take The Plunge, a podcast for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs ready to take the plunge into the world of business! Join your host, Ciaran, as he dives into an inspiring conversation with this week’s guest, Ernesto Moreno—a powerhouse in the entrepreneurial world.Ernesto's journey began in 2003 when he moved from Venezuela to the UK at just 23 years old with only £300 in his pocket. Fast forward two years, and he had already opened his first Subway restaurant with his business partners. This was just the beginning. Over the next few years, Ernesto expanded his Subway franchise to 15 restaurants across the South West of England, and his entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. He went on to co-found two more franchise businesses, CeX and Miniso, and co-create Arepa & Co, a Venezuelan-inspired restaurant chain in London, now boasting four thriving locations.Today, Ernesto's ventures employ over 450 people across 32 stores and four distinct brands. In this episode, he shares the secrets behind his success, the challenges he overcame, and his vision for Arepa & Co as he works to make it a household name.Beyond his active role in his businesses, Ernesto is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs launch and grow their own ventures. He is a seasoned business consultant and people development specialist, with over 22 years of experience working with top consulting firms like Atos Consulting and PwC. Ernesto also delivers Leadership Development and Management Training programs in partnership with edoMidas, a renowned management consultancy.If you dream of taking the plunge yourself, you can get a good start with help from Swoop Funding! Learn more about Swoop here 👉 https://app.swoopfunding.com/stage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.