From Nightclubs to Network Powerhouse: Lisa Boissel on Scaling Her Business, Miss Jones Group
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.
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Founder Russ Wakeham’s Carbon-Negative Rum Brand | Two Drifters Distillery | Take The Plunge Podcast S6:E3
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.
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How Ernesto Turned £300 into a Thriving Subway Franchise Empire S6:E2
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.
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From books to bots: The Journey of ReThink Founder Lucy McCarraher | Take The Plunge Podcast S6 Ep1
This is a podcast for business owners & aspiring business owners who are thinking of taking the plunge! This week Ciaran and his guest of this episode, female founder Lucy McCarraher discuss her journey in the publishing world. Lucy is the co-founder and CEO of the Book Magic AI book-writing app, co-founder of Rethink Press, and founder of the Business Book Awards. She is a Director of Dent Global and the Publish Mentor for the Key Person of Influence programme.Author of 13 books, including "A Book of One’s Own" and "Bookbuilder," Lucy is the UK's leading business book mentor, having guided over a thousand entrepreneurs and experts in writing and publishing their books. She hosts the ABOO online support group for women authors and runs women's mastermind and fiction-writing programmes.Lucy started her first publishing company at university and has since worked in publishing and media. She holds a postgraduate diploma in teaching Creative Writing and Literacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Emma Thompson | Take The Plunge Podcast
Ciaran and his guest of this episode, female founder Emma Thompson, talk about the processes of becoming a beekeeper, how to make a business from a hobby and many more bee-related topics. Follow Ciaran and Thompson down the rabbit holes of beekeeping and Emma's story of how she started her business Bee Haven Body Care, a body care brand selling products made with Emma's own honey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Take The Plunge. A series focused on the steps people go through to quit their jobs and start their own businesses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland