The Entrepreneur Experiment

<p>Delighted to be joined by Glen Hynes from Startup Accountant for a very practical & timely episode.</p> <p>Glen breaks down the perfect playbook for surviving the Covid-19 crisis if already in business. We also outline a roadmap for why now might be the perfect time to start a business.</p> <p>In this episode, we discuss:</p> <p>- The Covid-19 Survival gameplan.</p> <p>- A simple explanation of what Government financial supports are available for entrepreneurs.</p> <p>- The 4 stages of starting any business</p> <p>- 3 essential steps for any first-time entrepreneur</p> <p>- How to design your perfect day to maximise productivity but also give yourself more free time for family & friends. </p>

<p>In a very unique episode, I am joined by one of the founders of CurrencyFair, Brett Meyers and the current CEO, Paul Byrne.</p> <p>In this episode, we discuss:</p> <p>- How to start a business in a recession</p> <p>- Raising your first €400k</p> <p>- Building consumer trust as an unknown startup</p> <p>- Leading without ego & recognizing your strengths</p> <p>- Managing in a crisis</p> <p>- Preparing your business for a post COVID world. </p>

<p>This is an episode like no other. Friend of the podcast, Devan Hughes, (founder of Buymie), is back to help entrepreneurs try make sense of the new world.</p> <p>In this special episode, we discuss the Covid19 crisis, the impact it's having on businesses across Ireland and how Devan's working life has changed, possibly forever.</p> <p>We also discuss:</p> <p>- How to remotely manage a team.</p> <p>- The extensive logistics chain behind groceries.</p> <p>- His proposal to help the Government with vital supplies.</p> <p>- How long this may last.</p> <p> </p>

<p>How do you build one of Europe's best fintech companies & then sell it to Stripe, all before you are 25 years of age?<br /> <br /> In this episode, we find out from Shekinah Adewumi who founded Touchtech payments when he was just 18. </p> <p>We discuss:</p> <p>- The power of unshakeable belief</p> <p>- The art of storytelling</p> <p>- Straightline problem solving</p> <p>- Finding the perfect co-founder</p> <p>- How the Rich Dad Poor Dad poor shaped his entire life</p>

<p>In just a little over 5 years, Brian has gone from being a solo entrepreneur with a big idea to a global company with offices in Dublin, New York, and Dubai.</p> <p><br /> In this episode, we learn just how he did it.</p> <p>- How to convince highly talented staff to join a company with zero track record.</p> <p>- Just how an agency makes money & selects great clients.</p> <p>- Learning how to crack the tough New York crowd. </p> <p>- Why the future of work is flexibility & allowing employees to act like entrepreneurs. </p> <p>- We discuss why now is the time to start doing business in Dubai.</p>

<p>How do you walk away from your dream job to risk everything to start your own company?</p> <p><br /> In this week's episode, we dig deep into how you do just that with former RTE star and startup founder, Mark Little.</p> <p>Mark is one of the rare entrepreneurs in Ireland who has not only successfully started a business but managed to sell it to one of the world's largest media organisations.</p> <p> </p>

<p>In part 2 of my chat with Pamela, we discover how a photo taken underwater, thousands of miles away from Dublin almost had dire consequences for Moxi Loves. </p> <p>Pamela Laird is on a mission to bring her beauty brand global. </p> <p>Starting with a single product just a few years ago, Pamela is preparing to launch into the UK after a hugely successful appearance on The Apprentice UK.</p>

<p>Pamela Laird is on a mission to bring her beauty brand global. </p> <p>Starting with a single product just a few years ago, Pamela is preparing to launch into the UK after a hugely successful appearance on The Apprentice UK.</p> <p>In part 1 of our chat, we chat about her experience on the show, what really happens behind the scenes & how she started her beauty company, Moxi Loves.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p>You start life as a teenage coder before becoming a crusading journalist followed by a highly successful career as a music festival promoter, to now leading one of Ireland's most promising startups in the AI space. How is this possible?</p> <p>Find out how Andreea has lived a life that has defied boundaries or career paths to forge her own destiny.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p class="" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Often the best business ideas come from solving your own problem. </p> <p class="">When Luke was recovering from a serious illness, Evelyn began preparing healthy, quick meals that he could eat anywhere. Simply Fit Food was born.</p> <p class="">In this episode, we discover how to go from problem to solution in a matter of months and how early success can often stretch you to breaking point.</p> <p class="">We chat about what Dragons Den is really like behind the scenes and how the couple manages to both live and work together.</p> <p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true"> </p>

<p class="">For my final interview of the year, I sit down with Jamie Helly, founder of Dynamo & one of the founders of MIA chocolate.</p> <p class="">The thing that captured my imagination about Jamie and his business was the fact that not only has he designed some of the most memorable Irish brands but he then went and did it with his own chocolate brand.</p> <p class="">Jamie and his team are the very definition of becoming your own customer. It was a fascinating chat and we cover everything from branding to motorbike racing!</p>

<p>The first live version of our podcast features Devan Hughes, founder of Buymie & Garret Flower founder of Parkpnp.</p> <p>Two of our most popular guests in 2019, we delve deeper into their stories and they answer your questions about entrepreneurship, founder mentality and what business ideas are exciting them for 2020. </p>

<p>The Entrepreneur Experiment presents, The Ideas Lab. </p> <p>I sit down with Ireland's brightest minds and try to identify ideas and trends that they believe will become popular.</p> <p>In this week's episode, I sit down with David Delahunty, entrepreneur and maker.</p> <p>We explore Biohacking, No Code, the rise of remote work, niche groups and vegan versions of popular food. </p> <p> </p>

<p>A best-selling author, online community builder, speaker, brand builder, and skincare expert, Jennifer Rock, aka The Skin Nerd is simply unstoppable.</p> <p>Since 2016, her brand and social media presence have exploded and The Skin Nerd is now a household name.</p> <p>We chat about how she has captured the elusive lightning in a bottle moment of when sheer hard work meets creative brilliance.</p> <p>Join us on a remarkable journey as we unfold the inspiring entrepreneurial story of Jennifer Rock, AKA the Skin Nerd. Known for her unbridled passion and unwavering dedication to skincare, Jennifer has carved a niche for herself in the industry with her innovative approach. This episode is a treasure trove of insights as Jennifer candidly shares her voyage from failure to success, discussing the invaluable lessons she learned while starting a skincare company and her unique strategy of creating a morally driven business.</p> <p>Get an inside look into how Jennifer revolutionized the world of skincare, from creating a substantial online skincare community to her latest venture, Skin Ingredients. Be privy to the challenges and victories she's encountered and her ingenious problem-solving strategies. Jennifer also emphasizes the criticality of tackling the 'mundane parts' when kickstarting a business. Moreover, she imparts valuable advice on networking, seeking mentors, and sheds light on the reality of being a successful entrepreneur.</p> <p>This discussion goes beyond just skincare. It touches on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, making it a must-listen for both aspiring entrepreneurs and skincare enthusiasts. Listen as Jennifer talks about relinquishing her perfectionism, her decision-making process, and her devotion to skincare. Plus, you'll get a glimpse into what the future holds for the Skin Nerd. So, don't miss out on this enlightening conversation with Jennifer Rock.</p>

<p class="" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">In this week’s episode, I sit down down John Ryan, the founder of Gigable. Three years ago, John was a captain in the Irish Army and today he runs a tech company with staff working around the globe.</p> <p class="">The 9-5 job is dying and Gigable aims to be the solution the paves the way for a whole new way to find and get paid to work when you want.</p>

<p>In this week's episode, I chat with Conor Sheridan, founder of Mad Egg restaurants. </p> <p>In just over a year, Conor has taken an idea from his notebook to having 3 highly popular outlets in Dublin.</p> <p>In this episode, we discover just why so many restaurants fail and how Mad Egg is smashing that trend.</p> <p>We learn how Conor developed his concept despite having zero restaurant experience. </p> <p>Most importantly, he reveals just how they make their chicken just so damn tasty!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p>After a short break, I'm back with big news and a new project is revealed.</p> <p>In this episode, I share why I've been away, news of my live show and reveal a new project that is launching next week. </p> <p> </p>

<p>Everyone has an idea for a product or how they wish they could perfect their favourite one.</p> <p>In this week's episode, I chat with Sean Toomey who spends his days imaging new ideas and reimagining old ones! </p> <p>In his Tony Stark style workshop, alongside his co-founder Rob, they design, test and build brand new products, right here in Dublin.</p> <p>Sean breaks down exactly what it took to start his own business and how he helps other entrepreneurs create their dreams every day. </p>

<p>Micheál Dyer and his co-founder Conor McCallion have built Ireland's largest meal prep company with zero outside funding from their HQ in Galway.</p> <p>In this episode, Micheál breaks down the exact strategies they used to expand from just 23 customers in their first week, to now being Ireland's number 1 provider.</p> <p>We chat about how to effectively leverage influencers, how digital strategies have changed since they started and explore the biggest challenge any entrepreneur faces in the food industry. </p>

<p>Luke's idea for his business is as simple as it is brilliant. He hated queuing for his morning coffee so he simply starting hacking the system. </p> <p>That was his lightbulb moment and he set out to create an app that would let him skip queues whenever he wanted! </p> <p>We chat about how Luke took his idea from simply an idea to a full-fledged app, the importance of finding a co-founder that shares your vision and how to attract clients and users in the crowded app space. </p>

<p>A true entrepreneur can take a concept that has been around for hundreds of years, completely reimagine it from the ground up and improve it 1000x.</p> <p>This is what Chris Lauder is done with his school. This week's guest started a hugely successful grind school that he has transformed into full-time school.</p> <p>Learn how Chris started in a local parish hall and has transformed that into a campus that now serves over 3,500 students per week.</p>

<p>Running one business is tough. So how do you run two simultaneously while continuing to have a balanced, happy life? </p> <p>This week I chat with James Brogan who is managing to do it all through well-executed planning and a huge amount of self-awareness. </p> <p>James is the founder of PepTalk and Legacy Communications and also played sport at the highest level, winning an All-Ireland with the Dublin footballers.</p> <p> </p>

<p>In just 7 years, Jack Teeling made Teeling Whiskey a global brand and built one of Dublin's best tourist attractions at his distillery in the Liberties.<br /> <br /> In this episode, we uncover Jack's path from the trading desks of one of Ireland's biggest banks to building the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years & establishing Teeling Whiskey as a global brand.</p> <p><br /> <br /></p>

<p>After his rugby career was ended by a serious injury, Gary Lavin jumped straight into his entrepreneurial journey.</p> <p>Fast forward to 2019, and his drinks brand VITHIT sells 25 million units across the globe.</p> <p>In the middle, he faced every challenge imaginable and almost lost everything.</p> <p>Gary is a no-nonsense entrepreneur who shares the real reasons why his brand become a global success. </p>

<p>Millions of people have consumed Garret's products but you would never know! This is because Garret started one of Ireland's largest commercial bakeries from very humble beginnings in his apartment kitchen.</p> <p>He has since launched Krüst Bakery and is now embarking on his biggest adventure so far, moving to New York to launch his latest venture, Parkpnp in the US.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Dan Nugent symbolizes everything that The Entrepreneur Experiment stands for.</p> <p>He started his business with his partner, Sacha, for less than €1000, bootstrapped it from day 1 and has scaled it globally in less than 2 years.</p> <p>The duo started Ambr Eyewear in 2017 from their kitchen table. The company began with just 3 frames and two years later have over 35 styles. </p> <p>Ambr started selling blue light glasses to help with problems caused by spending so much time staring at phone and laptop screens. It has since morphed into an eyewear brand that covers everything from blue light to prescription glasses. </p> <p>In this episode we chat about:</p> <p>- How there is never a perfect time to start a business</p> <p>- Why limits and restraints can actually help an entrepreneur</p> <p>- How to source and select manufacturers and partners</p> <p>- The unsexy side of e-commerce success, SEO & content</p> <p>- Why the influencer business is imploding</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p>Shane Ryan is the brains behind one of Ireland's fastest-growing food brands, Fiid. In less than 12 months, Shane has gone from an idea in his head to seeing his product stocked in outlets right across Ireland.</p> <p>That’s not the whole story however, as his rapid rise to success came at a great cost to him personally. He quit a highly promising international hospitality career to start delivering meals on his bike around Dublin city. That startup almost broke him, financially and emotionally as he strived to make it a success.</p> <p>The chat with Shane has been one of the most honest and revealing conversations I’ve had with a fellow entrepreneur around the area of mental health.</p> <p>Hope you enjoy the episode and please do get in touch with feedback and comments.</p>

<p>Sonia Deasy is the co-founder and CEO of skincare company, Pestle & Mortar. Founded in 2014, Sonia and her husband, Padraic, have grown it into a global brand in just 5 years. </p> <p>Pestle & Mortar is now listed in stores such as Liberty London, Arnotts, Avoca, FaceGym, Harvey Nichols, and Bloomingdales.</p> <p>Irish-owned and based in Naas, Sonia & Padraic have created a local company with global ambition.</p> <p><br /> In this episode we discuss:</p> <p>- The lightbulb moment for creating the company</p> <p>- Sonia secrets for PR success & how to tell your brand story</p> <p>- How she managed to get her products listed in global stores</p> <p>- What it takes to go live on QVC to over 100 million people</p> <p>- Balancing a work/marriage partnership.</p> <p>- Why you should have global ambition</p> <p> </p>

<p class="" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">James started his first company with just €500 which was borrowed from his wife after losing his job in the 2008 financial crash. This small investment launched a catering empire that spanned coffee shops, Mexican food outlets, and corporate catering. He then lost it all.</p> <p class="">We hear how James bounced back by becoming the Barista Baron and how he is now on the way to creating a global coffee business.</p> <p class="">James is now the owner of The Dublin Barista School, 9th Degree Coffee and soon to be launched, World Barista Institute.</p>

<p class="" data-pm-slice="1 3 []">Most people take home some terrible souvenirs from their holidays. When he was just 22 years old, traveling around Thailand, Caolan Cullen discovered the idea that would become his future business.</p> <p class="">Caolan is the founder of Arctic Stone Ice Cream, who were the first people in Ireland to make hand-rolled ice cream that is completely customizable. Named as one of the best young entrepreneurs in Ireland in 2019, he is creating his own ice cream empire here in Ireland.</p> <p class="">He is a modern-day Willy Wonka, capable of making ice cream to any flavour you can dream of.</p> <p class="">In this episode we discover:</p> <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> <p class="">How you can find business ideas in the most unlikely of places</p> </li> <li> <p class="">The steps to taking action once you discover your idea</p> </li> <li> <p class="">The secrets to making ice cream in every possible flavour</p> </li> <li> <p class="">How Caolan bootstrapped and crowdfunded his early venture.</p> </li> <li> <p class="">The brand deals that are driving a huge part of his business</p> </li> <li> <p class="">His effort to set a Guinness world record</p> </li> </ul>

<p>Why do so many professional sports stars become entrepreneurs?</p> <p>In today's episode, we chat with former Leinster, Munster and Ireland rugby player, Shane Monahan, who brings us on his journey from sports star to entrepreneur.</p> <p>We discover the mindset required to become successful at both sports and business.</p> <p> </p> <p>We chat about</p> <p>- How goal setting shaped Shane's career</p> <p>- Playing for Leinster, Munster, and Ireland</p> <p>- How you are ever only one bad game away from a bad season</p> <p>- Why so many rugby players become successful entrepreneurs</p> <p>- How voice will shape so many industries in the next 5-10 years.</p>

<p>This week, I share with you my goal of becoming the number 1 business podcast in Ireland in 2019. </p> <p><br /> If your goals don't scare you, they aren't' ambitious enough! I break down the huge success we've had in June and the structure I'm building to help me achieve this.<br /> <br /> It's a packed episode as I reveal how new Airbnb regulations mean a huge change for my other business and I also share exclusive discounts for the new podcast studio.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p>Launched in January 2017, on the week of blue Monday, GymPlusCoffee began life in the toughest way possible after missing out on lucrative Christmas sales.</p> <p>Undeterred, the 3 founders have turned their business into one of Ireland’s leading names in the athleisure space in just 2 years!</p> <p>Loved by sports stars such as Brian O’Driscoll and Joe Wicks, they have managed to launch their brand into the mainstream thanks to a loyal community and clever marketing.</p> <p> </p>

<p class="" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">How do you go from working in finance to living in Bali running a successful business from your laptop?</p> <p class="">Siobhan O'Hagan is one of Ireland's best known online fitness coaches and in today’s episode breaks down how she quit her 9-5 job to become a personal trainer and fitness entrepreneur.</p> <p class="">With over 115k followers on Instagram, Siobhan now travels the world, working from locations such as Bali, Thailand, and Australia while managing her online coaching business.</p> <p class="">With a degree in maths, Siobhan is a highly systems and process driven entrepreneur. She takes us back to how her story began in fitness and how her own personal journey led to growing a thriving online community.</p> <p class=""> </p> <p class="" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong>We chat about</strong></p> <p class="">How to transition from a 9-5 job to running your own business.</p> <p class="">How to work out how much money you actually need?</p> <p class="">Partnering up with someone who can help scale your business.</p> <p class="">Turning down thousands of euro from potential sponsors.</p> <p class="">Building a personal brand.</p> <p class="">Selling while not selling out.</p> <p class="">How to deal with online trolls.</p> <p class="">Pressure of living your life on social media.</p> <p class="">Having a business versus having a following.</p>

<p>In this episode, I reveal how I built a podcast studio in 24 hours and reveal what the first business idea for The Entrepreneur Experiment will be.</p> <p>I also discover 1000 listeners that I never knew existed after doing a deep dive into how my podcast actually works!</p> <p><br /> If you are curious about starting your own podcast, this episode will give you some great insights.</p> <p> </p>

<p>As CEO and co-founder of Buymie, Devan runs a company that is hotly tipped to be one of Ireland's biggest success stories.</p> <p>In just 3 years, he has assembled a heavy-hitting investor panel and a number of high profile board members.</p> <p>Devan is without a doubt, the most methodical entrepreneur that I have met so far on this journey. His analysis and insights into the on-demand economy such as Deliveroo and Uber are incredibly revealing from someone so immersed in the industry.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p>In this episode, I reveal how I'm trying to increase my productivity and overcome self-doubt by adopting a new system of working.</p> <p>Missed deadlines and juggling too many tasks lead me to redesign my entire way of working.</p> <p>I am also hiring two new people to help me and I reveal the results from April of The Entrepreneur Experiment. </p>

<p>At just 23 years old, Karl O'Brien has built his social media company into a global brand employing 8 people.</p> <p>Karl shares his views on selecting your clients, not letting your clients choose you.</p> <p>As a young entrepreneur, Karl started his first venture in his bedroom before using his college years to rapidly grow his business.</p> <p>We chat about habits that help him perform at the highest level and how he seeks mentors to avoid repeating their mistakes.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p>I've been neglecting myself and this week, I took action to change that.<br /> <br /> I invested in attending a mindset seminar by Brian Keane, a fitness entrepreneur, and mindset specialist.<br /> <br /> In this episode, I share all the lessons I've learned and reveal the changes I'm making to my daily life. </p> <p>We cover a huge amount of content, so if you are looking to improve your goal setting and mindset, you'll benefit from this week's show. </p>

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Welcome to episode 9 of The Entrepreneur Experiment podcast where I chat with James Murphy, founder of Zest Fitness and BeatBox Gym.</p> <p>Founded 6 years ago in the height of the last economic recession, James has built a business that now earns over 6 figures per year. Despite this, he’s willing to risk it all and start again with his latest venture.</p> <p><br /> James is the epitome of a calculated risk-taking entrepreneur. When we spoke, James was in the middle of a complete renovation of his second gym to convert it into a boxing experience gym.</p> <p>James doesn’t mince his words and speaks extremely openly on the successes he’s had but also the pressure faced by entrepreneurs to keep improving and beating the competition.</p> <p>I hope you enjoy the episode and if you want to chance to win the book recommended by James, simply leave a review on <a href= "https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-entrepreneur-experiment/id1455026112?mt=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iTunes</a> or share this episode on social media and tag us!</p>

<p>Each month, I am going to share a very honest summary of how The Entrepreneur Experiment project is progressing. I will reveal all the exact stats behind all the content I am producing and also hopefully as the project progress, the businesses that I am working on.</p> <p>This is a snapshot of how many people are consuming my content, the lesson’s I’ve learned and improvements that I’m making for next month, April 2019.</p>

<p>From humble origins as a one-page website with a Paypal button, Funky Christmas Jumpers is now 11 years old and one of Ireland’s most famous e-commerce stories.</p> <p>Fabio is extremely open with his story and reveals how he turned his back on the lucrative world of software engineering to set up his own company.</p> <p>We learn what it takes to start and grow one of Ireland’s most recognisable e-commerce brands. With his window to make sales only running for a few months, Fabio lets us in on the secrets he uses to scale up a business rapidly in a short space of time.</p> <p>From physical threats to having cups of tea with Niall Horan, Fabio lets us in on the secrets to the ultra-competitive Christmas jumper world!</p> <p>Prior to chatting with Fabio, I had no idea he appeared on the UK version of Dragons Den. He reveals the truth behind Dragons Den and what really goes on behind the scenes.</p> <p>He also outlines the tools required to start and scale a successful e-commerce store.</p>

<p>In this week's diary episode, I reveal why I'm forcing myself to fail. To fail and keep failing so that it becomes nothing to fear.</p> <p> </p> <p>Fear of failure is the number one reason why a fantastic idea never leaves the entrepreneurs brain or notebook.</p> <p><br /> This week I break down the fear of failure and share how I battle to overcome that fear on a daily basis.</p> <p><br /> The Entrepreneur Experiment is almost a month old, and I break down what's been working so far (LinkedIn is awesome) and what I want to achieve in the coming days. It's a packed episode so I hope you enjoy. </p>

<p>In this week's diary episode, I reveal how the workload from The Entrepreneur Experiment combined with my regular job is pushing me to the limit.</p> <p><br /> I explore new ways of working and plan how to completely overhaul how I approach my work after reading Cal Newport's book, Deep Work.</p> <p><br /> Quitting social media is the hot topic as high profile figures such as Casey Neistat are quitting or reducing their usage, I examine if I should quit altogether? </p>

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Ideas! Everyone has them but few make the leap to make them a reality.</p> <p>In this week’s episode with maker/entrepreneur David Delahunty, we delve deep into the idea generation process.</p> <p>In 2017, David set himself the challenge of coming up with 5 ideas every single day for a year! He shared his journey on social media and the project became a <a href= "https://www.fiveideasaday.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">smash hit ebook</a>, and landed on the top page of Product Hunt.</p> <p><br /> If you are seeking your million dollar business idea, you'll learn the secrets of idea generation at scale.</p>

<p>In this week's diary episode, I reveal how the official launch of The Entrepreneur Experiment went.</p> <p><br /> We learn how to start a podcast from scratch when you have no idea what you are doing. My official YouTube channel also launched this week and I give you a behind the scenes insight into how to shoot a YouTube video.</p> <p><br /> In my other business, we are subjected to threats and deal with a client who refuses to pay his bill.</p> <p>It's a very real and honest episode and I hope you enjoy it.</p>

<p>Episode 2 is an in-depth interview with Tommy Courtney. Tommy is the CEO and founder of <a href="http://www.prelo.io/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Prelo,</a> a corporate relocation services platform. A B2B service, Tom’s company helps companies relocate employee’s to new cities around the globe.</p> <p>Every single time that I meet Tommy, I learn something new and his no-nonsense approach is what more startup founders need to adopt.</p> <p>In this episode, we discuss starting on your own versus finding a team, and advice, when to take it and when to ignore it! He reveals how he manages his mental health when juggling the demands of being a startup founder and discusses strategies he uses to stay healthy.</p> <p>We also explore how to keep a perspective in business and Tommy shares a very personal story.</p>

<p>I'm starting a new business. This business has no name, no product and no business plan!</p> <p>Over the next 12 months, I will generate ideas for 5 companies, test the ideas, and then launch the business or businesses that show the most promise.</p>