Real Business Conversations with Kinore

Ayu Cosmetics: Scaling Without External Investment

Kinore.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 03:00:00 +0100

The leap from a great product idea to a sustainable, self-funded, international business is a massive hurdle for entrepreneurs.
Scaling a brand while maintaining obsessive quality control and a digital-first approach requires discipline, intentional strategy, and a high tolerance for risk. This episode dives into the uncompromising philosophy of building a household name without external investment.

Larissa Feeney sits down with Suzie O’Neill, the visionary Founder and CEO of Ayu Cosmetics, an Irish-owned, multi-award-winning beauty brand. Suzie shares her journey from a technical expert to a CEO leading over 30 employees, detailing her masterclass in identifying market gaps and prioritising long-term integrity over rapid mass-market growth.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Leaving a secure job for necessity
Bootstrapping business to avoid debt
Why quality control beats launches
Intentional DTC model for luxury
Leader evolution: from tornado to CEO

GUEST DETAILS

Suzie O’Neill is the Founder and CEO of Ayu Cosmetics, an Irish-owned, multi-award-winning brand. A professional makeup artist by trade, she successfully scaled her business without external investment into a team of over 30 employees.

Her business is built on a foundation of customer-centric innovation, brand integrity, and a meticulous direct-to-consumer strategy.

Connect with Suzie:
Company Website - www.ayu.ie

Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzie-o-neill-ayu/

ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include:

Accountancy Services
Annual Compliance & Year-End
Online Bookkeeping Services
VAT Returns
Payroll Services
Management Accounting
Xero Conversion & Training
Company Secretarial Services
Company Formation Ireland
Company Secretarial
Virtual Office
Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors
Registration Of Beneficial Ownership

https://kinore.com/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.

Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company.

Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

QUOTES

You don't always have to have all the fancy stuff to begin with. - Suzie O'Neill

I just didn't have a choice otherwise, like, things had to work, or else I was going back to work. - Suzie O'Neill

You're in business now, every day there's going to be a bump on the road, and you just have to learn how to ride them. - Suzie O'Neill

Keywords: #BusinessFinance #ScalingUp #DTCStrategy #FounderStory #LeadershipTips

Commercial Acumen in Medtech

Kinore.com — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 04:00:00 +0100

Bringing life-saving medical innovation to a regulated market is fraught with complexity, risk, and massive commercial barriers. The challenge is balancing technical perfection with the difficult business realities of scaling, fundraising, and exit planning.

This episode unpacks the journey of turning personal purpose into a profitable, high-impact medical technology business.

We discuss the crucial differences between medical knowledge and commercial acumen, the importance of building trust, and securing investment in a slow-moving sector.

Larissa Feeney welcomes Brian Bailey, the CEO of Harmony Hybrid. Brian is a 25-year veteran of the medical technology sector who has successfully built, scaled, and exited multiple businesses in this demanding industry.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Commercial acumen harder than medical knowledge
Build respect by knowing limits
Prepare documents to minimise due diligence
Creating products to avoid child heart surgery
Need patience, perseverance, and right people

GUEST DETAILS

Brian Bailey is the CEO of Harmony Hybrid. He has over 25 years of experience in cardiology device distribution and sales in Ireland. Brian is an expert in commercial strategy and navigating regulated markets, having successfully sold his family business, Bailey Medical Limited, and his subsequent distribution company, Medilex Limited

Connect with Brian:

Company Website - https://harmonyhybrid.com

ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

https://kinore.com/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.

Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

Entrepreneurship: 30 Years of Learning

Kinore.com — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:00:00 +0000

Entrepreneurs struggle to find the balance between aggressive business growth and their own essential wellbeing, often overlooking the psychological health of their teams. This challenge can lead to burnout, poor decision-making, and limits on long-term, sustainable success.

This episode explores the strategies that prove compassion and a focus on human performance are not luxuries, but commercial necessities for building an enduring enterprise. You will hear key learnings from 30 years of entrepreneurship, the power of delegation, and innovative ways to listen to your customer to shape and expand your business.

Our guest is Jenni Timony, founder of the hugely successful Irish athleisure brand FitPink Fitness. She is also the Managing Director for I Am Here, leading the movement for psychological safety in the workplace. Jenni shares her diverse experience, from starting her first business at 19 to becoming a national finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Starting an entrepreneurial career young
Key financial lessons from business failure
Launching an athleisure brand successfully
How crowdfunding provides fast investment
The essential nature of true delegation

GUEST DETAILS

Jenni Timony is an entrepreneur with 30 years’ experience in commercial and social entrepreneurship projects. As Managing Director for I Am Here in the UK and Ireland, she partners with employers across sectors to embed psychological safety and build cultures where wellbeing and performance go hand in hand. She is also the founder of FitPink, an athleisure brand for women. Jenni has lectured extensively in Digital Marketing and was a national finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2007.

Connect with Jenni:
Website: https://iamheretribe.com/ https://fitpinkfitness.com/
Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennitimony/

ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

https://kinore.com/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.
Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company.
Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

QUOTES

I make mistakes, ultimately my team will make mistakes. And you know, they need to know that it's okay to make mistakes, because if you're not making mistakes, you're not trying hard enough. - Jenni Timony
I would have probably capitalised the business better from an earlier stage. I would have got investors. - Jenni Timony
I would say, don't be in love with your business, because your business isn't going to love you back when you're 80. - Jenni Timony
I always tried to think, you know, what got me here, won't get me there, so you have got to change your approach to things, I think, in business, over time." - Jenni Timony

Keywords: #Entrepreneurship #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #FitPink #Delegation

Smácht Philosophy Discipline Business Success

Kinore.com — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 03:00:00 +0000

Discipline sounds harsh until you translate it to the Irish word : Smácht meaning control, mastery, and the beautiful skill of managing your fishing technique.

Pádraic Ó Máille reveals how this Connemara word became a life-changing philosophy for terrified business owners surviving Ireland’s worst recession, evolving into mastermind groups running since 2011 with members still returning for one surprising reason: safety.

Discover why 98% of heart bypass patients revert to old habits without peer accountability, how Pádraic went from C-class to A-class through presentation skills, why his mother’s pre-speech phone call taught him about negative people, and the six questions transforming paralysing worry into actionable plans—including the business owner who smiled after finally knowing exactly what he owed.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

How the Smácht philosophy was born.
Why mastermind groups provide irreplaceable benefits
How physical fitness represents the #1 characteristic of successful business people.
Why the six-question problem-solving framework transforms worry into action. How presentation skills differentiate successful entrepreneurs not by product quality but by communication ability.

GUEST DETAILS

Pádraic Ó Máille is Ireland’s most sought-after business mentor, acclaimed speaker, and founder of the Smácht philosophy the proven discipline of success driving incredible achievements since 2011.

His framework has helped extreme athletes conquer the Atlantic, high-level sports teams win national titles, and entrepreneurs secure the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award.

With over twenty years mentoring business owners through economic recessions, growth phases and personal challenges, Pádraic has worked with approximately 200 colleagues across 12+ Smácht mastermind groups operating since 2011, with many original members still participating today.

Author of insightful books including The Midas Power, Pádraic’s unique approach combines Irish cultural wisdom (the Connemara word “smácht” meaning discipline, control and mastery) with practical

psychology, physical fitness principles, and peer accountability structures.

His mentoring philosophy emphasises five critical success characteristics: physical fitness, surrounding yourself with the right

people, positive psychology, problem-solving frameworks, and presentation skills.

Drawing on experiences from working with Fergal Quinn at SuperQuinn to supporting businesses through Ireland’s worst economic recession, Pádraic delivers transformative insights making success inevitable rather than hopeful.

Connect with Pádraic:

Smácht Mastermind Groups: Contact through Real Business Conversations
Speaking Engagements: Available for corporate events, conferences and business training

ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the

worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions.

Kinore’s services include:

Accountancy Services

Annual Compliance & Year-End

Online Bookkeeping Services

VAT Returns

Payroll Services

Management Accounting

Xero Conversion & Training

Company Secretarial Services

Company Formation Ireland

Company Secretarial

Virtual Office

Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors

Registration Of Beneficial Ownership

https://kinore.com/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online

accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland. Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland’s first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services

company. Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been

recognised with awards like “Accountant of the Year”.

QUOTES

I think when you ask the members, why do you keep coming back? It’s a safe place. When we have

problems, we can’t always go to our banks. We can’t even go to our accountants. - Pádraic Ó Máille

I asked them, what was the one characteristic they thought they needed more than anything else for

their businesses to survive? Almost every person said discipline. - Pádraic Ó Máille

Within two years, 98% of people who had bypassed surgery had reverted to their old habits, to their

old fitness regimes, to their old diets. The 2% who actually succeeded in sticking with it were part of

a mastermind group. - Pádraic Ó Máille

The first attribute of all the great people that I’ve worked with: they all had exceptionally high energy levels. They were all very physically fit. - Pádraic Ó Máille

Keywords: #Smácht #mastermindgroups #businessdiscipline #entrepreneurship #peerac

countability

The Secret to Staff Retention

Kinore.com — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 04:00:00 +0000

After years managing businesses for others who didn't value employees, Diane Kelly started LL Solutions with a simple plan. To test if a company built entirely on kindness could work.

Six months later she was inundated. Five years later, she had over 40 staff. Her crew came mainly from self-employed backgrounds, who valued security without micromanagement, Diane’s exceptionally high retention rate and zero cold-calling.

Today, as Ireland's only fully female-led property maintenance company of this scale Diane shares her story.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Nobody here is a number: knowing staff stories enables understanding bad days
Non-credit company paying as you go eliminates surprise bills devastating cash flow
Seventy percent crew came from self-employed backgrounds valuing security without micromanagement
Recruitment changed: no interviews, just coffee conversations, mostly recommendations from current staff
Home to Hope documentary fixing five severely sad homes before Christmas nationwide

GUEST DETAILS

Diane Kelly is co-founder of LL Solutions, Ireland's only fully female-led property maintenance and refurbishment company operating at their scale. Diane leads with fairness and hands-on involvement, giving full trust from day one.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-kelly-0bb56921

ABOUT KINORE

Accountancy Services

Annual Compliance & Year-End

Online Bookkeeping Services

VAT Returns

Payroll Services

Management Accounting

Xero Conversion & Training

Company Secretarial Services

Company Formation Ireland

Company Secretarial

Virtual Office

Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors

Registration Of Beneficial Ownership

https://kinore.com/

Our podcast is produced by dustpod.io

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.

Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

QUOTES

We try to hold value in every person that we deal with every day. From a staff perspective, for us, kindness is knowing all of their stories so that when one of them has a bad day, we may understand why. Nobody here is a number. - Diane Kelly

About 70% of our crew have all come from self employed backgrounds. We offer them security. We pay them well. We treat them like grown adults. We don't ring them every five minutes asking where they are or why they pulled in for 10 minutes. We let them do their jobs, and it's working brilliantly. - Diane Kelly

At the end of every single health and safety meeting, I stand up and I always say: don't confuse our kindness for stupidity, or don't confuse it for weakness. - Diane Kelly

Signing up with yourselves was taking maybe 30% of the budget that we had, which was still great value—our budget was just really low. But for me, it was non negotiable. - Diane Kelly

Keywords: #kindnessInBusiness #nonCreditCompany #HomeToHope #propertyMaintenance #femaleLeadership

Larissa Feeney's Entrepreneurial Journey to CEO of Kinore

Kinore.com — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 03:00:00 +0000

Many entrepreneurs find themselves unprepared for the realities of running a business which are usually beyond their core technical skills. For them, making the transition from technical expert to business leader requires a difficult shift in focus. Not doing so is a failure point for many.

Today we hear about an unexpected journey that provides the essential groundwork for business growth: a profound focus on the customer, a robust problem-solving mindset, and the discipline gained from external investment. You'll hear about the initial struggles, the pivotal decision to embrace a remote, online model and the crucial strategy for scaling a service-based firm through acquisitions and technological adoption.

This special episode features our own host and CEO Larissa Feeney, stepping into the hot seat to be interviewed by guest presenter, Richard Curran.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

The pivotal shift from hospitality to accountancy
The early struggle to build an online brand
The necessity of outside investment and discipline
Stepping back from client work to grow
Why commercial awareness is vital for finance.

GUEST DETAILS

Larissa Feeney is the CEO and Founder of Kinore, a high-growth, remote-first accountancy practice in Ireland. Her main skills are developing business strategy, advocating for women in business, and successfully scaling a professional services firm from a small client base to a team of almost 80, proving that a remote model can achieve significant scale and success in the finance industry.

HOST DETAILS

Richard Curran is one of Ireland's most respected business journalists and broadcasters, currently presenting the Business Show on Newstalk radio. With over three decades of experience covering Irish business, economics and entrepreneurship, Richard has interviewed thousands of entrepreneurs and business leaders throughout his career.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-curran-18a3b92b7/|
Twitter/X: @RichardCurran

ABOUT KINORE

https://kinore.com/

QUOTES

What I see lacking in the industry right now is the lack of commercial awareness, the reality of running a business. It's not just about the numbers, it's about the customer and the client. All of those that were not taught in accountancy school. - Larissa Feeney

That's something that has stood to you later on. It's how important the customer is, to always keep forefront of mind the customer's journey is important, how the customer's feeling is important, and to always make a decision with the customer in mind. - Larissa Feeney

I realised that location is not an issue. The client doesn't care where you were. The client wants their work done. The client wants to get you whenever they need you, but they don't care where their work is done. - Larissa Feeney

The only way that you can grow your business is to step back and bring in great people who can deal with the clients on your behalf. That stepping back is really hard. - Larissa Feeney

People think that how do you manage workflow, deadlines, productivity. That's the easy part. The systems take care of all that. What's challenging is building relationships, helping the team get to know each other as people. What you save in accommodation you put into bringing people together. - Larissa Feeney

KEYWORDS

#occupationalhealth #startupjourney #businessbootstrapping #entrepreneurship #irishbusiness

Scaling a Specialist Service

Kinore.com — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Starting a specialist occupational health practice in regional Ireland rather than Dublin seems counterintuitive—but Dan MacCarthy proved it could work.

After experiencing burnout in pharmaceutical manufacturing, Dan co-founded MedWise with his wife in 2005, navigating startup challenges from zero customers to cash flow crises that nearly ended the business.

Discover how a 50% price increase lost zero clients, why engineering project management skills translate perfectly to business growth, and how twenty years of bootstrapping created a sustainable healthcare service company.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

How travel health and mortgage medicals provided crucial cash flow during startup years
Why implementing a 50% price increase resulted in zero customer losses
How systemizing services helped escape monthly payroll stress
How applying engineering project management skills created sustainable growth in the business.
Why finding specialist occupational doctors remains the biggest constraint

Dan MacCarthy is co-founder of MedWise Occupational Health Services, established in 2005 with his wife Dr. Deirdre MacCarthy. With over 20 years of technical experience in medical device manufacturing at companies including Boston Scientific and Pfizer, Dan transitioned from senior engineering roles to entrepreneurship. As employee number 74 at Boston Scientific's Galway startup, he gained valuable scaling experience before co-founding MedWise as a regional specialist occupational health provider.

Dan applies his engineering background and project management expertise to business challenges, systematizing services and developing innovative solutions like mobile medical clinics for workforce-scale health surveillance. Under his leadership, MedWise has grown from a small regional practice to a 12-person team serving companies across Ireland, pioneering specialist occupational health services outside major cities.

Connect with Dan:

Company: MedWise Occupational Health Service
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmaccarthy/

ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include:

Accountancy Services

Annual Compliance & Year-End

Online Bookkeeping Services

VAT Returns

Payroll Services

Management Accounting

Xero Conversion & Training

Company Secretarial Services

Company Formation Ireland

Company Secretarial

Virtual Office

Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors

Registration Of Beneficial Ownership

https://kinore.com/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.

Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

QUOTES

We've always had a strong value for work life balance. When we're hiring people, we ask them what they want, what works for you. Quite a lot of our staff work part time, permanent staff, but part time. I think giving people good work life balance at the start is good. - Dan MacCarthy
The business plan is mostly for us. I guess I just have a saying, you know, it's ready, fire, aim, you know, without a plan, it's easy to go astray. So the plan is our roadmap, plan to work and work the plan that was it. - Dan MacCarthy
"I kind of like the drama of it. It was do or die, and that's pretty much what I told the customer. We implemented a 50% price increase and we didn't lose one customer. - Dan MacCarthy
Turnover is vanity. Profit is sanity and cash is king. We were having a cash flow problem. We weren't that profitable. So it was make or break. - Dan MacCarthy
To a young person starting off doing a startup, either have the skills, learn the skills, or partner with someone who has. No person has it all. Every business is a people business." - Dan MacCarthy

Keywords: #occupationalhealth #startupjourney #businessbootstrapping #entrepreneurship #irishbusiness

Sleeping Giant

Kinore.com — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 03:00:00 +0100

In this powerful episode of Kinore's Real Business Conversations Podcast, we dive into the incredible journey of Erica Hargaden, founder of Babogue.

Erica has transformed a personal struggle with her child's sleep into a "Sleeping Giant"—a global business that has helped over 5,000 families across 37 countries.

This is not just a story of success; it's a raw and honest look at the strategies that took a passionate entrepreneur from surviving to scaling.
This episode is a master class if you've found a gap in the market, are looking to scale a one-to-one business, or feel like you are giving away too much of your expertise free of charge.

We also delve into the benefits of delegation, virtual assistants, whether or not you should advertise your prices upfront, and balancing the demands of social media marketing.

Press play now to hear how a simple service became a world-class brand.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Erica Hargaden’s personal journey from sleep struggles to founding Babogue.
Transitioning from a one-to-one consultancy model to a scalable, online business.
Launching the “Sleep Series” and moving into a subscription-based model.
Social Media strategies, including Instagram, LinkedIn, and considerations for TikTok.
Hiring and working with a virtual assistant, and the challenges and benefits of delegation.
The value of mentorship, networking, and business support programs (e.g., Acorns, Enterprise Ireland).
Funding the business: grants, investment, and self-funding.

GUEST DETAILS

Erica Hargaden, Founder and CEO of Babogue.
With a background in accounting, law, and event management, Erica never intended to become a sleep consultant. However, after giving birth to her first child, she found herself struggling to get her baby to sleep, was exhausted herself, and was told by a professional that she was "a woman on the edge."

Help came via a much-needed intervention from Erica's own concerned mother, who helped find a way to get her baby to settle and start sleeping through the night. This was a lightbulb moment for Erica, and her passion and respect for "sleep" was ignited.
Despite having no medical background, she spent four months researching and completing the most robust training course she could find globally. This led to Erica launching a small one-to-one coaching business from her home, which has since grown into a global, multi-stream company that has helped over 5,000 families across 37 countries.
Via Babogue, Erica’s mission is to instill a deep respect for sleep, empowering families with the tools they need to live happier, more rested lives.

Learn more about Erica Hargaden and Babogue here: https://www.babogue.com/

ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Accountancy Services
Annual Compliance & Year-End
Online Bookkeeping Services
VAT Returns
Payroll Services
Management Accounting
Xero Conversion & Training
Company Secretarial Services
Company Formation Ireland
Company Secretarial
Virtual Office
Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors
Registration Of Beneficial Ownership

https://kinore.com/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.

QUOTES FROM ERICA HARGARDEN

"Unless somebody is paying you, you don't have to solve their problems."
"Don't be the person who holds yourself back. Feel the fear and do it anyway."
"I spent four months researching how to become a sleep consultant."
"The followers mean nothing. Not everyone following you is buying from you!"
"If you don't take time out to work on the business, you will get drowned in working in the business."
"I had a limit, and I needed to respect that limit so as not to burn myself out."
"I'm not going to lie; I was absolutely sweating buckets."

Keywords
#kinore
#podcast
#businesspodcast
#LarissaFeeney
#EricaHargaden
#Babogue

Topic-Specific Hashtags
#entrepreneurship
#businessgrowth
#businesstips
#businessstrategy
#worklifebalance
#entrepreneurmindset
#burnoutprevention
#delegation
#virtualassistant
#socialmediastrategy
#digitalmarketing
#conversion
#marketingtips

Pension Planning Made Simple

Kinore.com — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0100

OK, we get it. Even the mere mention of the "P" word makes you want to bury your head in the sand. Something to do later, right? Or maybe you think it's already too late? This is a BIG MISTAKE!

In the new Kinore "Real Business Conversations" podcast episode, wealth expert Niall Leyden explains why it's never too early, and never too late, to take control of your financial future which includes pension planning.

Niall Leyden has over 30 years’ experience working as a wealth/asset manager for Ulster Bank and Permanent TSB, and has recently become an entrepreneur himself. In January 2024, Niall formed his own wealth management company, Atlantic Wealth Management.

This episode of Real Business Conversations contains invaluable advice for any business owner, regardless of whether you are just starting out or a seasoned entrepreneur.

In just 30 minutes, we cover topics that we believe could make a significant difference to your life in the years to come.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Lifestyle and financial planning for business owners
Pension planning and retirement strategies
10 Commandments of Wealth Management
Tax optimisation and investment strategies
The challenges of entrepreneurship and avoiding burnout
Starting a pension early and what to do if you didn’t.
Dealing with surplus cash in a business

GUEST DETAILS

Niall Leyden, CEO of Atlantic Wealth Management, is a multi – award winning CFP planner winning Wealth Manager of the Year on many occasions in his time with Permanent TSB & Ulster Bank.

In January 2024, Niall became a business owner himself by establishing his own company, Atlantic Wealth Management serving clients across Ireland and beyond. Via Atlantic Wealth Management, Niall provides his expertise and experience with his growing number of clients to help them realise their business and lifestyle goals.

Learn more about Niall Leyden and Atlantic Wealth Management here:
https://atlanticwm.ie/

Please Note:
Niall Leyden is the Founder of Atlantic Wealth Management Limited; a firm regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland to advise on and arrange a range of financial products. Please note that Niall’s comments in this podcast are general recommendations and do not form part of Atlantic Wealth Management Limited’s regulated activity. You should contact Atlantic Wealth Management or other regulated service providers to receive tailored advice relevant to your personal circumstances.

ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Accountancy Services
Annual Compliance & Year-End
Online Bookkeeping Services
VAT Returns
Payroll Services
Management Accounting
Xero Conversion & Training
Company Secretarial Services
Company Formation Ireland
Company Secretarial
Virtual Office
Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors
Registration Of Beneficial Ownership

https://kinore.com/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.

Her journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company.

Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

QUOTES FROM NIALL LEYDEN

Outside of good health, what do any of us want? We want a good lifestyle. That's your “why".
A healthy man has 1,000 wishes, a sick man has only one.
Entrepreneurial loneliness is very, very real. Don't go it alone.
We live every day and die once. My mantra is Carpe Diem and being present.
If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time.
Cash is like ice on a window sill. If you leave them there long enough, they're going to melt.
Action beats intention.
Progress is permanent. Time, money, and patience are the real engines of wealth management.
It's never too late to start. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.

USEFUL LINKS
Here are helpful links to the two additional podcasts mentioned:

The 10 Commandments
Listen to the podcast where Niall Leyden lays out his “10 Commandments” here:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/148-niall-leyden-the-10-commandments/id1609045593?i=1000679629738
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7LPhqOfedJoMkSbLrVow5y?utm_source=generator&t=0

Wealth Talks with Garry Kelly and Niall Leyden
Listen to the weekly podcast “Wealth Talks” with Gary Kelly and Niall Leyden
https://garrytalks.podbean.com/

KEYWORDS

#Podcast #Kinore #RealBusinessConversations #NiallLeyden #AtlanticWealthManagement

The Accidental Entrepreneur

Kinore.com — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 01:00:00 +0100

Our guest today, Annette Houston, describes herself as "an accidental entrepreneur."

Annette’s remarkable journey began at just 21, when she started "helping out" at her mum and dad’s cleaning business. Over the past 31 years, she's transformed that role into becoming the CEO of FM Services Group, based in Donegal, which today employs over 180 people.

Annette is also the visionary founder of Bright Academy, an innovative online training resource designed for employees and business owners alike.

In this episode of Real Business Conversations, Annette speaks candidly about her decades-long journey, the unique opportunities and challenges inherent in family businesses, and the critical importance of perseverance, strategic decision-making, and maintaining strong family relationships amidst business growth.

Beyond her personal story, Annette shares a wealth of helpful insights and practical advice that are applicable to any business manager or owner, regardless of their industry or company size.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

How “walking away” from a major client saved the business
Building Client loyalty
Getting the best from your consultants and advisors
The importance of learning from experienced business owners/agencies in the early stages of business development
Why investment in continuous self improvement and staff training really does make a difference to the bottom line

GUEST DETAILS

Annette Houston, CEO of FM Services Group and founder of Bright Academy.

FM Services Group offers a comprehensive range of services which include specialised commercial cleaning, green cleaning solutions and full service facilities management.

https://fmservicesgroup.ie/

Bright Academy offers online training courses including comprehensive courses for current and future business entrepreneurs looking to build and scale a successful and sustainable cleaning business.

https://fmservicesgroup.ie/bright-academy/

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QUOTES

Dad volunteered my mom, and that's how the company started. - Annette Houston

When you take on something like this… the biggest transformation will be your own. -Annette Houston

You are the expert in some circumstances… go with your gut. - Annette Houston

It was not going to happen, not while I was in charge. - Annette Houston

I've probably done every job that you can think of in the company. - Annette Houston

I wouldn't have worked for me if I had to go back now and work for me when I was in the early years. -Annette Houston

KEYWORDS

#Resilience #Family-business #Problem-solving #Innovation #Leadership #Training #Growth, #Entrepreneurship

Bursting Bubbles

Kinore.com — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 02:00:00 +0100

Our guest today is Nicholas Deeney, an engaging and talented entrepreneur from Dublin.

Nicholas is the founder and CEO of Biovit Technologies in Dublin, however, his background is in science.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from Trinity College and a Master's in Biotechnology from University College and is now balancing his passion for science with his dedication to scaling his business way beyond the shores of Ireland.

In this fascinating episode of our podcast “Kinore Real Business Conversations”, Nicholas discusses his journey from a neuroscience background to developing a technology to enhance nutrient absorption in health products.

Admitting that he often “bursts a lot of bubbles”, he explains that up to 99% of nutrients in fortified food or within supplements are wasted and just end up “in our pee”.

This discovery was the inspiration for Nicholas to create Biovit Technologies, and his determination to develop an effective solution to this “preposterous” problem.

Biovit Technologies is now targeting manufacturers of fortified foods and supplements, aiming for market entry by 2026.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

The problem with supplement absorption and Nicholas’s solution
Fundraising challenges
The need for “value-added” investors
The importance of networking
The strategic importance of IP protection

GUEST DETAILS

Nicholas Deeney, CEO of Biovit Technologies in Dublin. Biovit Technologies is an Irish startup pioneering advanced nanotechnology to enhance nutrient absorption in fortified foods, beverages, and dietary supplements.
https://www.biovit.ie/

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Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

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ABOUT YOUR HOST

The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.

Her journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognized with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

QUOTES

Many of the nutrients in health products don't actually reach the bloodstream. Sometimes up to 99% is wasted. It's all going out through your pee.

It's like putting premium fuel into your car, but before the fuel reaches the engine, it leaks out onto the floor.

I've probably done about 40 to 50 courses. I think that's really important to be the best leader you can when you're navigating the choppy waters of a startup.

Fundraising gives me so many headaches. It's such a stress, it's a hassle, it's so time-consuming.

Lean into your network as much as you can, leave your pride at the door, talk to as many people as you can.

KEYWORDS

#StartupJourney #HealthTech #NutritionInnovation #EntrepreneurLife #ScienceBusiness #FoodTech #BioavailabilityBreakthrough #Kinore #RealBusinessConversations #Podcast

Expand Your Comfort Zone

Kinore.com — Mon, 26 May 2025 05:00:00 +0100

Staying in your comfort zone may feel safe—but it can hold you back from growth, innovation, and meaningful success.

Today, we explore what happens when you take bold steps beyond the familiar. From shifting professional identity to starting a business from scratch, we unpack how discomfort can be a catalyst for clarity, creativity, and leadership. You’ll hear how embracing uncertainty, experimenting with new methods, and leaning into risk can unlock unexpected potential—for you and your business.

Our guest is a former Managing Partner with over two decades in legal practice, who now helps law firms and leaders evolve through strategic coaching, leadership development, and innovative tools like LEGO® Serious Play®. We’re delighted to have Katie da Gama, Executive Coach and Founder of Senatum Ltd.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

● From law firm leader to business founder
● Saying yes to opportunity - even if you don’t feel ready
● Reinventing career identity after leaving a defining role
● Using LEGO® Serious Play® to inspire leadership
● Stretching comfort zones to unlock professional growth

GUEST DETAILS
Katie da Gama is an Executive Coach, Legal Sector Consultant, and Founder of Senatum Ltd. With over 20 years’ experience as a barrister, solicitor, in-house counsel, and Managing Partner, she brings a unique, insider perspective to leadership and strategic development in the legal profession.

Since 2018, Katie has partnered with law firms and legal professionals across Ireland and the UK to drive growth, enhance performance, and lead meaningful change. Her work blends the analytical rigour of legal practice with evidence-based coaching and facilitation—including her role as a certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator. Using creative, hands-on methodology, Katie helps clients unlock fresh thinking, build resilient teams, and solve complex challenges through powerful, engaging conversations.

https://katiedagama.ie/

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https://kinore.com/

Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

QUOTES
That was the belief I held onto, that I had built a skill set and that I had capabilities, and that they would stay with me. That even if it failed, I could still say I did it. - Katie da Gama

Why are you letting go of that unique experience that you've had? That's a niche. - Katie da Gama

Let's change that message, that we're not being creative. We are. It's just that we harness that in a slightly different way. - Katie da Gama

You go outside that comfort zone, you practice, you experiment, you fail, you fall down, you get up, and then magically, your comfort zone has expanded. - Katie da Gama

KEYWORDS
#Entrepreneur #legal #coaching #business #emotionalintelligence #leadership #strategy #growth

The Highs and Lows of Fundraising

Kinore.com — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 01:00:00 +0100

Every entrepreneur knows that having a great idea is just the beginning. The real work begins with sourcing funding, building the right team and keeping focused on your goal.

Today we meet an entrepreneur who shares his experience of turning an innovative idea—using space technology to improve sports safety—into a real business. He breaks down the realities of securing half a million euro in investment with the help of networking and mentorship, as well as the importance of resilience in navigating the ups and downs of bringing a product to market.

Our guest today has worked with the European Space Agency and is using that experience to create technology that can detect head injuries. It’s a pleasure to welcome Founder and CEO of Sports Impact Technologies, Eoin Tuohy.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Bringing space technology to sports
Developing viable designs and prototypes
Challenges and successes of raising half a million euro
Building a team and why first hires are so important
The emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship

GUEST DETAILS
Eóin is a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur from Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow. Before founding Sports Impact Technologies, he worked as a research engineer at the European Space Agency's European Astronaut Centre, contributing to the space medicine and lunar research teams. During his time there, he developed wearables for spaceflight, including a device currently in use on the International Space Station.

His company, Sports Impact Technologies, focuses on innovative wearables that detect and monitor head impacts in sports, enhancing player safety and recovery.

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/eoin-tuohy

Sports Impact Technologies is a tech company based out of NovaUCD, which is developing sports wearables to detect head impacts as they happen.

https://sportsimpacttechnologies.com/

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https://kinore.com/

Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

QUOTES

It was really the realisation that this is not massively unattainable. People can do it. - Eóin Tuohy

If you can find a mentor who's good, it's like gold dust for me. - Eóin Tuohy

You have to pick which is best for you, really leaning heavily on the good advice. - Eóin Tuohy

The highs and lows are nearly like a pendulum. - Eóin Tuohy

We have to be careful not to take off the blinkers. - Eóin Tuohy

KEYWORDS

#wearabletechnology #headinjuries #EuropeanSpaceAgency #business #funding #marketstrategy #productdevelopment #mentorship #resilience

Consistency Kills the Doubt and the Fear

Kinore.com — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 01:00:00 +0100

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an entrepreneur is having the freedom to create a career you really love, but turning a passion into a success takes more than just enthusiasm.

Today we meet an entrepreneur who shares how she transformed her love for the Irish language into a thriving online business. Embracing the digital world, she has created a unique digital learning platform that teaches the endangered language in an accessible and fun way, building a community of dedicated learners across the world. We hear about the mindset shift needed to scale your business, from pricing insecurities to the difficulties of delegations, and the importance of having a long-term vision.

Our guest has amassed over 200,000 followers online and has big plans to change how the Irish language exists in our society. It’s a pleasure to have the founder of Irish with Mollie, Mollie Guidera.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Bridging the gap in Irish language education
The opportunity and flexibility of online business
Financial literacy and overcoming pricing insecurities
Growing an engaged community through social media
How consistency creates a better business

GUEST DETAILS
Mollie Guidera is a visionary Irish language educator who has created an online learning platform and community. Mollie weaves storytelling and etymology into her innovative teaching methods, celebrating and nurturing identity and ancestral connections. She offers accessible, relatable resources with infectious enthusiasm. Mollie’s creative workshops and courses demystify the language and explore the healing and soulful path of effective learning.

Mollie’s instagram and tiktok platforms @irishwithmollie, online webinars, and courses aim to rethink and revitalise our indigenous language, and breathe new life into the ancient language.

https://www.irishwithmollie.com/

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QUOTES

There's even a study that shows people studying Celtic languages are the happiest people in the world. - Mollie Guidera

You don't have to be perfect. You don't learn overnight. - Mollie Guidera

People can think that business is dirty or making money is wrong, and I don't think it is. - Mollie Guidera

It still surprises and impresses me to think I'm a business woman, I'm the founder of my company. I'm still a teacher, but you can be both things. - Mollie Guidera

Go for it, absolutely go for it. Work hard, do it as well as you can. - Mollie Guidera

Consistency kills the doubt and the fear, and it creates a really strong kind of business. - Mollie Guidera

KEYWORDS

#Irish #language #online #business #socialmedia #communitybuilding #teaching #entrepreneurship #networking

Surround Yourself with People You Trust

Kinore.com — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 04:00:00 +0000

There’s a reason why entrepreneurs and business leaders are always emphasizing the importance of networking, because it actually works!

Today we’re meeting an entrepreneur who by leaning into his own experience and leveraging his network has secured support and investment for his digital start up. We hear how his personal motivation for the business has made him secure in his decisions, but how he has also learned the hard way to balance passion and personal life.

Our guest has over 10 years’ experience in software integration and is using this to build a technology solution to make the online world more inclusive. It’s a pleasure to welcome Founder of Nexus Inclusion, Kyran O’Mahoney.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

● The use of technology as an enabler for accessibility

● Keeping on top of cash flow and financial planning

● Approaching investors and delivering on product

● Leveraging your own network for support and connections

● Striking the balance between founder and family life

GUEST DETAILS

Nexus Inclusion Limited is building a technology solution to make the world more inclusive.

Kyran O’Mahoney is an IT professional with over twenty years of experience in developing complex technical projects for a host of sectors across Ireland, the UK, and the United States.

O'Mahoney's professional background spans over two decades in the IT sector, where he has led complex technical projects across various industries, including financial services, insurance, media, human resources, aviation, retail, and the charity sector in Ireland, the UK, and the United States. His previous positions include senior roles at Allied Irish Banks, Ryanair, and Dunnes Stores.

Prior to founding Nexus Inclusion, Kyran O'Mahoney co-founded Inclusion and Accessibility Labs (IA Labs) in 2021 and has served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) since 2019.

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/kyrano

https://www.nexusinclusion.com/

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Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

QUOTES

The risk that I've taken here is to bring on more people to deliver faster. - Kyran O’Mahoney

Ireland has a great culture of innovation and technology. - Kyran O’Mahoney

Surround yourself with the people that you trust and the people that you believe in. - Kyran O’Mahoney

You really have to leverage your own network. - Kyran O’Mahoney

I think as a founder you just want to give your entirety to it, but you also have to have a life. - Kyran O’Mahoney

Companies need to double down on diversity, equity and inclusion. - Kyran O’Mahoney

KEYWORDS

#digital #accessibility #AI #diversity #EuropeanAccessibilityAct #userexperience #productdevelopment #investment #startup

Why Putting Yourself Out There Works

Kinore.com — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Although it can feel scary at first, putting yourself out there as a new business can be the key to success and avoiding the pitfalls that a lot of beginner businesses can fall into.

Today we’re meeting a rapidly expanding Irish start-up that has grown exponentially since it was founded at the beginning of 2023. Based in the e-commerce space, we’ll find out how they are revolutionizing online business with the use of AI, and how through angel investors they’ve rapidly expanded into 15 countries with plans to take on more staff.

Our guest today has a familial history with e-commerce and believes in bridging the gap between marketing and finance. It’s a pleasure to have Co-Founder of Store Hero, Thomas Gleeson.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Bridging the gap between marketing and finance
Putting yourself out there to gain new customers
Understanding profitability over revenue
Managing hiring and onboarding for a new, rapidly expanding team
Setting up an appropriate CRM and distribution process

GUEST DETAILS

Thomas Gleeson is a co-founder at StoreHero. StoreHero helps brands centralise e-commerce, marketing and finance operations in order to scale their business profitably.

Thomas has many years of experience in e-commerce, from growing up in a family fun DTC business for over 20 years, running brands himself and also working at Shopify as a Senior Consultant to some of the largest brands on the platform.

Website: www.storehero.ai

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-gleeson-%F0%9F%A6%B8-74255b96/

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https://kinore.com/

Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

QUOTES

A lot of the challenges I saw were with the silos between marketing and finance. - Thomas Gleeson

It's putting yourself out there. - Thomas Gleeson

We've tried to follow our own advice and to be led by Profit First. So trying to not fall into a lot of the traps that startups in the past have. - Thomas Gleeson

I feel like we have a really solid solution for a market that's really crying out for it, and it's a huge market. - Thomas Gleeson

Marketing has grown as a line item in every e-commerce business across the board - Thomas Gleeson

The distribution of the product is its own product in itself. You can build the best tool in the world, but unless you have a proper distribution engine built in behind it, you know, nobody's going to hear about it. - Thomas Gleeson

KEYWORDS

#e-commerce #marketing #profitability #onboarding #remoteworking #funding

Delegation is Your Shortcut to Growth

Kinore.com — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0000

As a business owner, learning to lean on and delegate to those supporting you can seem like a scary transition. However, it is a vital step in taking your business to the next level.

Today we’re meeting an entrepreneur who has created a leading education business in the financial sector. Through seizing opportunity and building strong connections she has created a multi-stream business from book writing, speaking, MC-ing, education and working with young people. We hear how important those first hires are to expanding the business and why ‘thinking breakfasts’ can be helpful in creating business solutions.

Our expert guest is Chartered Financial Analyst and ‘The Positive Economist’, Susan Culleton Hayes.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

● Setting up an opportunity based business during the financial crash

● Leaning on LEOs and networking to build strong connections

● The accidental creation of ‘The Positive Economist’

● Managing multiple business streams from writing to speaking and working with young people

● Getting better at thinking and delegating decisions

GUEST DETAILS

Susan HayesCulleton, CFA, “The Positive Economist” is managing director of the Hayes Culleton Group, with clients across Europe and the USA. The businesses include Active Peers AI which unlocks, diffuses and records strategic tacit knowledge within networks and #SavvyTeenAcademy which manages the entire experience of teenage work experiences in corporate organisations. The company also provides training, speaking and content development services, in the subject areas of the financial markets, economics and entrepreneurship.

Susan has published “Money Matters”, a textbook sponsored by CFA Society Ireland, to go into every secondary school in Ireland to promote and democractise financial literacy right across the country. She has twice co-authored “Positive Economics”, the market-leading Leaving Cert economics textbook in Ireland, and she is the author of two books published by Penguin, The “Savvy Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom” and “The Savvy Guide to Making More Money”.

Susan holds a Chartered Financial Analyst charter, MSc Executive Leadership, BSc Financial Maths and Economics and a Diploma in Taxation.

https://www.hayesculleton.com/about-our-team/

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https://Kinoree.com/

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KEYWORDS

#entrepreneur #finance #business #financialtraining #economist #networking #delegation #growth

You’ve Got To Invest In Yourself

Kinore.com — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Owning a business requires a lot of self-belief and sticking with your gut feeling, even when persevering through the tougher times.

Today we’re meeting an entrepreneur whose drive and determination has created a globally successful business and won her many awards, despite nearly losing it all during the 2020 pandemic. Inspired by her grandfather’s homemade spirits, she has captured the attention of some big investors such as Russell Crowe, Ed Sheeran and Jimmy Carr, and is investing back into her local community with the opening of a brand home local visitor centre just this year.

Our guest today is Global Irish Business Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 and Founder and CEO of The Muff Liquor Company, Laura Bonner.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Pursuing a dream in an industry that you know nothing about
Sourcing investment from crowdfunding to celebrities
Remaining resilient through tough times and global pandemics
Developing a brand for expansion into the American market
Trusting your gut and investing back into yourself

GUEST DETAILS

The Muff Liquor Company was founded in 2017 near Muff on the Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal.

Laura Bonner, the CEO and Founder of The Muff Liquor Company, has a remarkable journey in the business world. Her achievements include winning the Business All Star in 2018, being recognised as the Ulster Business Woman of the year in 2019 and making it to the Industry Era’s list of the top 10 most inspiring CEOs in 2021. In 2023, she was honoured as the Handcrafted Spirits Business Leader and just this year crowned Global Irish Business Entrepreneur of the Year 2024.

https://www.themuffliquorcompany.com/

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https://kinore.com/

Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

QUOTES

I asked for help, non stop. I always say I'd rather lose face than lose money. If you think you might come across stupid, I don't care. I'll get my answer, and then I move forward. - Laura Bonner

It's a complete gut feeling. I am so aware of myself that I could be listening to somebody, and be like, nah, this isn't for me. - Laura Bonner

I think one of the first things I ever wrote down was that I was going to be one of the biggest and best alcohol brands to come out of Ireland. - Laura Bonner

I wouldn't have a company if we hadn't had that support. - Laura Bonner

I need you to meet me and my team and understand who we are and what we are and what we stand for. - Laura Bonner

KEYWORDS

#business #brand #global #investment #crowdfunding #self-care #resilience #entrepreneurship

Freedom Comes With Responsibility

Kinore.com — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Online businesses come with their own unique requirements and challenges, especially when it comes to managing a remote team.

Today we're delving into one of Ireland's international success stories, with an online business based in Dublin, leading a digital team working around the globe. We find out how they operate in the fast moving tech business, about building relationships with customers you never meet and geographically diverse staff, and some great advice from a business planner with a wealth of experience.

Our guest is a finance and business operations professional working remotely for the tech sector for almost 20 years. He is Chief Financial Officer with MailerLite, Martin Ruano.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

MailerLite’s growth into a global online company
Creating a productive and intentional remote working environment
How to build and maintain relationships in a geographically diverse team
Advice for navigating mergers and acquisitions
Lessons learned in planning and communication

GUEST DETAILS
MailerLite was born in 2010 to give businesses a simple yet powerful email solution to help them grow. Their global team has a passion for building a world-class product within a company culture that is built on trust, dedication and shared values.

Martin Ruano Chief Financial Officer and MailerLite and is a Finance and Business Operations professional with sound knowledge in Financial Planning and P&L Management. He has 20 years in Technology industry leading global teams undergoing fast change with a proven ability to improve financial results growing the top line through creative business development strategies as well as improving the bottom line through cost management and operational optimization.

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QUOTES

We can work remotely and having a colleague base in another time zone is going to enable our capabilities of providing support to our customers. - Martin Ruano

It’s important for me to keep learning, it is very important to understand that I won’t be able to solve all the challenges in front of me. That's why we need a strong team to face those challenges together. - Martin Ruano

Think that you're going to go through that process and plan to do it right from the beginning. - Martin Ruano

Keep learning every day, especially if you want to scale up yourself or grow a business. Stay curious, stay learning and don't be afraid to ask for advice or ask for help. - Martin Ruano

KEYWORDS

#remotework #globalteam #customers #financialgrowth #business #growth

Change Is About Trying Things

Kinore.com — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 01:00:00 +0100

Change is inevitable, so developing a positive mindset towards change can really help a business thrive. Whether that’s in marketing, staff retention or handing over the family business.

Today we hear from a second generation business owner who has leveraged change and connection to continue his father’s legacy in the home improvements industry. We hear how his passion for clear and simple communication has helped the company retain both staff and customers at an incredibly high level and about the mentors that inspired his management mindset.

Although originally reluctant to step into the family business, our guest now believes it’s a privilege. He is Managing Director of Global Home Improvements, Barry Shevlin.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Transitioning to being a second-generation business leader
Cultivating a simple but effective customer-centric approach
Building a thriving team culture based on basic human respect and connection
Embracing change in business and seeing it as an opportunity to learn
Following your gut when planning for the future

GUEST DETAILS
Global Home Improvements has been trusted since 1980 to transform the warmth, comfort, energy-efficiency and look of homes across Dublin and surrounding counties. They specialise in designing and manufacturing quality windows, doors, roofline and flat roofing. Now a second-generation family business, the company’s core values of quality and service have earned recognition for Global including Guaranteed Irish Best Retailer 2024 & Q Mark Awards Best Home Improvements company in Ireland.

The company is headed up by Managing Director Barry Shevlin who has gained invaluable experience throughout the company over the past two decades. Barry Shevlin is Global's second-generation leader. For the past 25 years, he has built on the foundations laid down by father, Tom Shevlin, with the same passion for quality & service.

https://globalhomeimprovements.ie/

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QUOTES

It's definitely one of the best decisions I ever made. Working in a family business is very challenging because it's family, but in a business, it's entirely different. - Barry Shevlin

It was a customer centric culture, but also a staff centric culture. And it wasn't staff as regards, you know, pizzas on Friday, it was just basic human connection and respect. - Barry Shevlin

It's very, very simple, call a customer back within a really prompt time, update them if there's issues, and put your hand up if you've messed up. - Barry Shevlin

One of the big changes I've developed in the last five years, I've trusted my gut more in everything, and I think that has made a significant difference to the business. - Barry Shevlin

KEYWORDS

#customers #business #staff #team #change #company

You Have To Learn From Your Mistakes

Kinore.com — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 03:00:00 +0100

A key part of the business mindset is being able to spot an opportunity. Sometimes that opportunity comes with risk, but it can have fantastic pay off in the long run.

Today we hear from a business owner whose fishing village upbringing inspired him to pursue a career at sea and led to the creation of his incredibly successful marine dredging business. We hear how he dove in head first, learning from mistakes and asking for help when needed, and how his hard work in the early days has created a better work life for him now.

Our guest saw the opportunity to simplify solutions for his customers and now has 40 men working with him. He is Managing Director and Founder of Foyle and Marine Dredging, Stephen McCormick.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Finding opportunity in your local community
Learning from mistakes and seeking help from mentors
The challenges of building a skilled workforce
Early sacrifices that later lead to work-life balance and flexibility
Managing cash-flow and sourcing funding to finance growth

GUEST DETAILS
Foyle and Marine Dredging Ltd is a family owned Company which prides itself in Quality, Commitment and Excellence.

Foyle & Marine Dredging specialise in undertaking all types of marine work projects throughout Ireland and British Isles. They have built up a solid track record of meeting both the project’s and client’s requirements by delivering both a broad range of challenging and alternative projects.

The Managing Director, Stephen McCormick is an experienced engineer and has a marine engineering and plant based background. He has been carrying out civil and marine projects around the Irish and UK coastlines for over 15 years to great success.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-mc-cormick-43975b132/?originalSubdomain=ie

https://marinedredging.co.uk/about/

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QUOTES

Nobody knows everything. You have to learn from your mistakes. - Stephen McCormick

As I always say, you're not a customer until you come back the second time. - Stephen McCormick

I never really wanted to go to the size we are, it was the customers who were pushing us on it. - Stephen McCormick

It wasn’t until we actually spent money, we actually made money. It wasn’t until we bought one of our new machines. We noticed the difference was one month. - Stephen McCormick

Put in the time, put in the effort. It is hard at the start but if you're confident and you can see it, go for it. - Stephen McCormick

KEYWORDS

#people #dredging #business #banks #marine #grow #company #accounting

I Wanted To Be A Millionaire By The Time I Was 45

Kinore.com — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 01:00:00 +0100

We hear from a business owner who set himself very aspirational goals and with a lot of hard work and a supportive team, reached them long before he could have imagined. We hear how his business mindset helped him get there and how he’s overcome competition to come out on top.

Setting goals as a business owner can feel intimidating but it’s important to look to where you want to go so you can implement the work to get there.

Our guest today began his company during the recession but has grown a team of over 50 men. He is Brian Rooney, founder of BR Mechanical Pipework.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Transitioning from worker to business owner
Giving yourself a focus by setting ambitious goals
Building a strong team and respecting their needs
The importance of building relationships through networking and reputation
Learning to delegate and trust as the business grows

GUEST DETAILS
BR Mechanical Pipework is an Irish company that has been in business for 10 years in Drumbuoy, Donegal. The company operates with a team of experienced workers and a workshop equipped with some of the best equipment in the field. It is owned by Brian Rooney and employs over 50 people.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-rooney-8b965936/
https://www.facebook.com/p/BR-Mechanical-Pipework-Ltd-100083482843241/

MORE INFORMATION

Take control of your business with accounting & business services you can trust.

We take away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions.

https://kinore.com/

Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore

QUOTES

I always wanted to make money. I wanted to be a millionaire by the time I was 45. I hit that target. And I wanted to have more than 50 men working for me. I hit that target, too. - Brian Rooney

You need to be looking after the people, you'll do nothing without people and that's just about it, you can't do it all yourself. You need good people around you, people you can trust. - Brian Rooney

Any contacts I would have, I would always ring them. Even if we weren't talking about work, I would have tried to build a relationship. - Brian Rooney

You need to have goals, you need to have something to aim for. - Brian Rooney

KEYWORDS

#team #company #goals #business #build #soletrader

Real Business Conversations Trailer

Kinore.com — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 19:17:48 +0100

Dive in for the gritty truth from the trenches of business.

No unicorns, no brands. Just hard-working people who built their business from the ground up. They share real life stories, challenges and solutions, plus the risks they've taken and how they stepped outside their comfort zone to find success.

If you're running a business, get the inside track from others who have been down the road already.

Click follow to get new episodes on the last Monday of every month.

Real Business Conversations is produced by DustPod.io for Kinore Finance and Business Services.