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In Episode #066 of Series 8, host Conor Kearney speaks with Tom Keogh, founder and managing director at Keogh's Farm. Tom shares insights on the evolution of his family business from a modest potato farm to Ireland's largest homegrown potato crisps brand, exporting to over 20 countries. Listeners learn about the key challenges and successes faced by Keogh's, including an in-depth discussion on their focus on quality, strategic branding, and overcoming industry difficulties. Tom also touches on the significance of sustainable practices and global philanthropic efforts, alongside his long-term vision of making Keogh's a globally recognised brand on par with icons such as Guinness and Kerrygold.

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Support Neurodiversity Ireland—an organisation committed to promoting understanding and advocacy for individuals with neurodiverse conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Neurodiversity Ireland works to create a more inclusive society through community support and educational programs. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at neurodiversityireland.com. Together, we can make a difference!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

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In Episode #065 of Series 8, Conor chats with Ross Culliton, founder and CEO of Roody, a promotional products company. Ross discusses his transition from a Big Four accounting firm to creating custom Hawaiian shirts and Christmas jumpers. He shares his entrepreneurial highs and lows, including the learnings from a failed venture and how it fuelled the creation of Roody. Ross also explains Roody's commitment to sustainability, planting a tree for every item produced, and his ambition to plant a billion trees. The conversation touches on the importance of company culture, lessons from hiring practices, and the value of networks like the Entrepreneur's Organisation.

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Support Neurodiversity Ireland—an organisation committed to promoting understanding and advocacy for individuals with neurodiverse conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Neurodiversity Ireland works to create a more inclusive society through community support and educational programs. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at neurodiversityireland.com. Together, we can make a difference!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

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 Episode #064 of Series 8, Conor sits down with Aine Kilkenny, founder of Riley, an eco-friendly period products company. Aine shares how a personal inconvenience during a night with friends sparked the inception of Riley in 2021. She discusses the company's rapid growth, their mission-driven approach focusing on female health and sustainability, and the challenges they've faced along the way. Highlights include insights into their successful crowdfunding campaigns, the importance of maintaining core values in business, and the benefits of having a supportive co-founder team. Aine also opens up about the emotional journey of entrepreneurship, the critical role of customer feedback, and their ambitions for global expansion. Tune in to hear the inspiring story of Riley and how they're transforming the landscape of period products.

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Support Neurodiversity Ireland—an organisation committed to promoting understanding and advocacy for individuals with neurodiverse conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Neurodiversity Ireland works to create a more inclusive society through community support and educational programs. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at neurodiversityireland.com. Together, we can make a difference!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

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.

We're back with Series 8, Episode #063. Conor Kearney talks with Ted Wright, CEO of Writech, about his extensive journey in the family-owned engineering business specialising in fire safety systems. Ted shares insights from joining the company in his early years, scaling the business through financial crises, and eventually leading it to an annual turnover of €140 million with operations across eight European countries.

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Support Neurodiversity Ireland—an organisation committed to promoting understanding and advocacy for individuals with neurodiverse conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Neurodiversity Ireland works to create a more inclusive society through community support and educational programs. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at neurodiversityireland.com. Together, we can make a difference!

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

*This episode was originally aired in April 2022*

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

This week I spoke to JD Buckley, CEO at Sky Ireland.

Sky, as most of you will know, is a global broadcasting and telecommunications company.

Since joining Sky in 2012, JD has overseen the growth of the Irish business from just 30 people to over one-thousand today.

In this very enjoyable conversation, JD talks about what he learned while working for Digicel in the Caribbean, along with an early opportunity that came from failing an exam in UCD, and he gives some really clear and honest advice for anyone who aspires to one day, becoming a CEO.

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

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*This episode was originally aired in June 2020*

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

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Junior’s Deli & Cafe. Paulie’s Pizza. Lotts & Co. Can you see a pattern?

Barry McNerney and his brother Paul have built all of these iconic Irish businesses, and I loved hearing Barry’s tales of determination and passion in this interview.

Starting out as an equity trader, lured to the profession by the slick Wall Street types you'd see in films, Barry soon realised this world wasn't what he'd imagined. His brother Paul being a chef, they decided to try their luck in the restaurant business and opened Junior's. It wasn’t easy, but Junior’s became a hit with the community, with its authentic, honest, affordable food.

What's amazing is what Barry and Paul did next. They went on to open Paulie's Pizza and boutique grocer Lotts & Co (all with big challenges along the way which you'll hear about).

Still, Barry and Paul kept innovating, and seeing the headaches that ordering produce for restaurants presented, created UnifyOrdering. Starting out as a simple app to connect restaurateurs with suppliers, Unify is now available for everyone as a free app to get fresh, local Irish produce delivered to their homes.

Find out more about UnifyOrdering here: https://www.unifyordering.com/

Connect with Barry on Instagram @barrymcn81

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

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*This episode was originally aired in July 2020*

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

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This week I spoke to Will Sparks, whose journey towards becoming a successful financial planner contained big hurdles.

While at college in UCD, Will overcame immense challenges posed by Dyslexia. Having previously been an admittedly average student, Will knuckled down, worked hard and got into a routine. He surprised even himself when he came first in his class in final year.

The second hurdle came much later, when Will was working at a top finance firm. The GFC hit and Will was suddenly let go, and out on his own. Determination prevailed once again and he began building his own client list and eventually starting SparksWealth in 2019.

Stay tuned for some inspiring stories of self-discipline and optimism, with a few practical investment gems thrown in too!

Will mentions his favourite finance books:
The Education of a Value Investor by Guy Spier
The Dhandho Investor by Mohnish Pabrai

Find out more about Will and SparksWealth at https://sparkswealth.ie/

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening!

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*This episode was originally aired in November 2020*

Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.

Maurice Pratt's life in business is exactly the conversation I'd wanted for the finale of Irish Business Builders Season 2!

He has been at the head of 10 companies, including Quinnsworth, Tesco Ireland and C&C. More recently, Maurice acts as Chairman of Uniphar Group, as well as holding numerous positions as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman for organisations across tourism, non-profit and healthcare sectors.

Maurice also shares his views on managing ones time as a public company CEO and the best advice he ever received, from none other than Gary Weston.

Find out more about Maurice Pratt here:

https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/1876971

Irish Business Builders is brought to you by Jetbooks. Jetbooks provides online bookkeeping services for Irish Businesses. For a free 15 minute online consultation, visit www.jetbooks.ie

Thanks for listening and see you all for Season 3 soon!

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