The Hidden Hustle Podcast

TheHiddenHustlePodcast

The Hidden Hustle Podcast - a business podcast focused on learning from some of the best business owners across a wide range of industries.
Hosted by two brother Alan & Sean Holmes with a shared dream to own our own business one day. But before that day comes, we’re on a mission — to learn, to grow, to build a network and to shine a light on the kinds of business owners we admire most: the ones you don’t always hear about. We hope you enjoy these weekly episodes and learn something new about these incredible businesses and the people behind them.
Happy learning,
Alan & Sean Holmes

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Tuesday · 28 min
EE33 - Gavan Walsh - Life after iCabbi - He sold a business for a life changing amount of money so why start again?
What do you do after selling the company that changed your life? In Part 2 of our conversation with Gavan Walsh, founder of iCabbi, we explore what happens after the exit. After selling a majority stake in iCabbi to Renault in a life-changing deal, Gavan could have stepped away from business. Instead, he started again. Gavan takes us inside TBE Ventures, the investment company he set up to acquire and build businesses across completely different industries. This includes SYLO, a plumbing business he plans to grow into a wider trade-services company, as well as plans to launch a children’s therapy centre supporting kids with learning difficulties. He also discusses businesses he came close to acquiring but ultimately walked away from giving a fascinating insight into what makes a business worth buying and the red flags that can kill a deal. And now, he’s back in the startup world. With MoveCore, Gavan is building an AI-native operating platform for fleets and explains why he believes the future for larger companies could move from renting software to owning it. We also discuss: * Life after the iCabbi sale. * What Gavan looks for when buying a business. * Why he’s decided to build another tech startup. * His advice for anyone starting a business. * The doubt he still carries, even after his success and how he manages this. A fascinating conversation about life after an exit, buying businesses, starting again and what drives an entrepreneur when they no longer have to do it.
August 27 · 31 min
EE32 - Gavan Walsh - iCabbi - The Business FAILED then we went from €60k Revenue to €10million.
From €60,000 in Revenue to €10 Million: The Incredible Story Behind iCabbi In part 1 of this episode, we sit down with Gavan Walsh to learn about the business he founded iCabbi. In part 2, we discuss life after the iCabbi sale from setting up an investment company and now getting back into the tech start up game. It started in Portugal, with Gavan not being able to find a taxi and wishing something was available on his new iPhone to order one. That was when the idea for iCabbi clicked: what if you could see live taxis on your phone? Gavan tells us how that idea grew into one of the biggest B2B taxi software providers in the world. But it nearly failed before it got started. The original B2C model struggled. The technology was too slow, the market wasn’t ready and the business ran out of money more than once. Something had to change. iCabbi stopped focusing on the consumer app and started building dispatch software for taxi companies instead. One customer became another. Ireland led to the US. And revenue grew from just €60,000 in 2012 to around €10 million by 2018. The journey was anything but straightforward raising money, running out of it, technology failing, family holidays interrupted, expansion into the US and even attempted sales that fell through. Eventually, Gavan sold a majority stake in iCabbi to Renault a life-changing moment that made years of sacrifice feel worthwhile. We discuss: * The holiday in Portugal where the idea for iCabbi was born. * Why iCabbi’s original B2C model failed. * Running out of money and fighting to keep the business alive. * The pivot from a consumer taxi app to dispatch software. * Winning their first customers in Cork and Dublin. * Growing revenue from €60,000 in 2012 to around €10 million in 2018. * The unexpected phone call that brought iCabbi to America. * Why entering the US market was far more complicated than expected. * How Uber changed the taxi industry by challenging its traditional rules. * Building iCabbi into one of the world’s biggest software providers to taxi companies. * Why reliability became one of iCabbi’s biggest competitive advantages. * The reality of being permanently on call while building a technology company. * Raising money, running out of money and dealing with constant setbacks. * Family holidays interrupted by problems back at the business. * The attempted sales that fell through before the eventual deal. * What it felt like when the life-changing sale finally happened. * Why the business you start with is often very different from the business that ultimately succeeds. A brilliant conversation about pivoting, persistence and the reality of building a business when success is far from guaranteed.
August 19 · 1 hr 8 min
EE31 Jason Lynch - Quantum Computing will Definitely be Bigger than AI.
Could Quantum Computing Be Bigger Than AI? That’s one of the biggest questions we explored with Jason Lynch, CEO of Equal1, on the latest episode of The Hidden Hustle Podcast. Jason has spent the last 7.5 years building Equal1, with an ambition that is anything but small: to become the biggest quantum computing company in the world. What makes the story remarkable is the technology Equal1 has developed. Jason and his team have spent years proving that something some of the smartest people in the world — including Nobel Prize-winning physicists and some of the world’s largest technology companies — believed couldn’t be done, actually could. Equal1’s vision is to become a fabless quantum semiconductor company, creating quantum technology that can move beyond the laboratory and eventually integrate into existing semiconductor and data centre infrastructure. The potential is enormous. Quantum computing could transform areas such as drug discovery, battery technology, logistics, energy and financial optimisation — tackling problems that are incredibly difficult for classical computers. We discuss: * Why Jason believes quantum computing could ultimately be bigger than AI. * What quantum computing actually is, explained simply. * Equal1’s ambition to become the world’s biggest quantum computing company. * The remarkable technology Equal1 has developed. * How they proved some of the world’s smartest scientists wrong. * Why Equal1 believes quantum computing can be built using existing semiconductor infrastructure. * The company’s vision to become a fabless quantum semiconductor company. * Raising around $80m and why they plan to raise significantly more. * Equal1’s first commercial product and what it means for the industry. * Working with customers including the European Space Agency. * The trillion-dollar problems quantum computing could potentially solve. * Why making quantum technology usable could be more important than simply having the most powerful machine. * Why the next Nvidia of computing could potentially emerge from the quantum industry right here in Ireland. A fascinating conversation about a technology that could fundamentally change the way we compute.Link to Equal1 - https://www.equal1.com/ Follow Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lynch-cork-ireland/
August 11 · 1 hr 25 min
EE30 Karl Zimmerer - Ireland's €200mil Water Engineering Company going Global
Do you understand the complexities involved in getting a simple glass of clean drinking water? In this episode, we sit down with Karl Zimmerer, founder of Glanua, to hear the incredible journey of building one of Ireland’s leading water and wastewater engineering businesses and taking it international. Karl and his team has doubled the companies revenue in the last 4 years with Glanua on track to hit north of €200m in 2026. Karl explains the hidden engineering behind something most of us take completely for granted: water. From collecting and treating raw water to delivering clean drinking water, collecting wastewater, treating it and ultimately finding ways to reuse the resulting resources, Glanua provides end-to-end engineering solutions across the entire water cycle. We discuss: - How rainwater actually becomes the clean drinking water coming out of your tap. - Why Dublin’s reliance on a single major water source presents such a significant challenge. - What Glanua actually does and the enormous complexity behind water and wastewater infrastructure. - Why Glanua builds much of its equipment and infrastructure directly on-site. - Why data centres require significant amounts of water and the solutions Glanua is developing to address this. - Karl’s struggles getting the business off the ground and why delivering an exceptional first job became one of his most powerful marketing tools. - Why relentless innovation and constantly challenging the status quo allowed Glanua to compete against businesses generating billions in revenue while they were turning over just €40–50 million. - Growing revenue from approximately €40 million in 2014 to €80 million in 2019. - How diversifying outside their core expertise created major problems for the wider group when COVID hit. - The incredibly difficult cash flow challenges Karl faced as profits and cash generated by the core water business were needed to support struggling parts of the wider group. - How Karl stepped up to manage the combined Irish and UK operations through one of the most challenging periods in the company’s history. - How Glanua ultimately became part of BHSL, led by Denis Brosnan, and why the deal proved to be such a successful move for the business. - Glanua’s expansion into the US and why M&A and building an exceptional team on the ground will be crucial to cracking the American market. - Karl’s perspective on work-life balance after dealing with loss of his daughter when she was young and decades of building and scaling businesses. - And the first job he recommends his own kids get — and why.Links & Resources: Glanua : https://glanua.com/ Follow Karl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-zimmerer/
July 7 · 27 min
The Defining Moment - From idea to international success: the step-by-step journey of building a global business across 60+ countries.
Paul McCarthy has recently stepped back from the day-to-day operations at Snapfix, so what better time to look back on what was key to getting his journey up and running. In this short but powerful episode, we unpack the journey from a simple kitchen-table idea to a global software company used by teams across more than 60 countries. Paul shares a practical masterclass in startup execution, explaining how he validated the market before building the product, why customer feedback mattered more than investor feedback in the early days, and how a relentless focus on simplicity became Snapfix’s biggest competitive advantage. From bootstrapping while still working to raising investment three years later, this episode is packed with actionable lessons for founders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to turn an idea into a scalable business. Snapfix has grown from a prototype with just 20–30 users to a global maintenance and operations platform serving customers across hospitality, facilities management, education, manufacturing, and property sectors worldwide. 10 Key Takeaways from the Episode Start with the problem, not the product. Paul spent significant time validating the market before investing heavily in development. Build a prototype early. Even if it’s “horrible” compared to the finished product, getting something in front of customers is invaluable. Show customers before investors. Customer feedback shaped the real product and provided proof of demand. Ruthlessly eliminate unnecessary features. Simplicity became Snapfix’s biggest differentiator. Find a co-founder who complements your skills and shares your long-term vision. Don’t rush to raise money. Paul waited three years before seeking investment, focusing first on product-market fit. Customer feedback is everything. Paul believes founders should be willing to talk to customers at any time. Some of Snapfix’s best ideas came directly from these conversations. Focus on difficult niches first. Solving complex problems can create stronger barriers to entry and deeper expertise. Study great founders. Lessons from entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos heavily influenced Snapfix’s approach to product design, growth, and simplicity. Keep improving by simplifying. Snapfix continually reviews its product, removing features that customers don’t use and doubling down on what they do. This episode is a blueprint for anyone trying to build a startup from scratch, validate an idea, and scale globally without losing sight of what customers actually want.
#29
June 25 · 1 hr
EE29: Swifter - Building a Number 1 Best Selling Running Product on Amazon with Nadia Power & James Madden
SummaryWhat does it take to build a No.1 Best Selling Product on Amazon in the US while competing at the highest level of sport?This week on the podcast, Alan sat down with Swifter founders James Madden and Nadia Power to hear how they’ve gone from launching a single running vest on Amazon to becoming a No.1 Amazon bestseller across Ireland and the US, selling in Amazon markets in Australia and the UK, while also breaking into major retailers including Brown Thomas and Lifestyle Sports.In 2023 the pair saw an opportunity with the massive social running boom that had taken place during covid to design a practical, comfortable and affordable running vest.What stood out most was how they went about selling their first product - on Amazon before setting up a brand, website or social media pages. They tested demand for the product first while also letting amazon deal with all the logistics. Their sporting backgrounds have become their competitive advantage. Rather than guessing what runners want, they’ve lived the problems themselves and built products to solve them. Nadia competed in the 2020 Japan Olympics 800 Meter and James plays Hurling for Dublin. Today, Swifter has sold more than 120,000 running vests, expanded internationally, and continues to grow at an incredible pace, with revenue reaching an impressive 7 figures and expected to double this year!But beyond the business success, this conversation is packed with lessons on resilience, personal branding, continuous learning and what it really takes to perform at a high level.A brilliant conversation with two founders who are building something special.Key Topics we discussed:Spotting the social running boom early and the need for a practical and affordable running vest.Nadia shared the reality of dealing with injuries after reaching the highest level of athletics as an Olympian. Swifter launched its first product on Amazon before building a large brand or audience.Their competitive advantage comes from being athletes who deeply understand the problems their customers face. Why they choose Amazon as their first point of sale.Swifter expanded from Ireland into international markets, including Australia, through Amazon.The company has sold more than 120,000 running vests and earned Amazon bestseller status across multiple markets.Personal branding is becoming an increasingly important growth lever for modern founders.As the company scales, the focus is shifting from hustle to systems, processes and building a team.Some nightmare stories that showed true resilience to pull through from. Links & resources: Swifter: https://swifterstore.com/Follow Nadia and James on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiapower/https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-j-madden/Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/ linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
June 9 · 21 min
The Defining Moment: Is M&A the only way to scale at speed and reach Unicorn Status?
From £500,000 Spent to Zero Customers… to International Expansion In this episode of The Hidden Hustle Podcast, Jonathan Larbey, Founder & CEO of T-Pro, shares the hard lessons learned while scaling a healthcare technology business internationally. After achieving early success in Ireland, T-Pro attempted to replicate the same strategy in the UK. The result? Nearly £500,000 spent over two years Not a single customer acquired Jonathan explains the pivotal changes that transformed their fortunes and set the company on a path to international growth. Why T-Pro partnered with private equity firm Livingbridge and the role they played in accelerating growth The reality of entering new markets organically – and why it can be slow, expensive, and incredibly challenging Why T-Pro chose Australia and New Zealand as key expansion markets The strategy behind acquiring two businesses in Australia and one in New Zealand The challenges of integrating teams across multiple countries, time zones, and cultures The integration framework T-Pro follows to maximise the success of every acquisition Why they didn’t target the US market first How they funded an acquisition when traditional bank financing couldn’t move fast enough Why Jonathan has no interest in minority investments How M&A will play a crucial role in T-Pro’s ambition to achieve Unicorn status This conversation is packed with practical lessons for founders, operators, and anyone interested in scaling businesses through acquisition and international expansion.
#27
May 25 · 1 hr 32 min
EE27: Joe Hogan - Building and Selling a large telecom software business from Ireland
The $180 million Irish tech company you may never have heardof but one that helped revolutionise mobile phone billing worldwide from Park West in Dublin 12. In this episode, we sit down with Joe Hogan, founder of Openet, to hear the incredible 22-year rollercoaster journey of building one of Ireland’s biggest tech success stories before Openet sold the company to NASDAQ-listed Amdocs for $180 million in 2021. Joe explains how Openet solved the complex challenge of mobile data billing, winning major global contracts with companies like AT&T and Vodafone. At its peak, Openet grew to $110 million in revenue with 86 customers worldwide, competing against some of the biggest telecom giants through elite engineering talent and relentless innovation. We discuss: Building Openet from startup to global telecom leader. Winning massive contracts with AT&T and Vodafone. Why Joe never became CEO and stayed focused on product. Scaling a company relied on by hundreds of millions daily. A 7-year gruelling legal battle with NASDAQ listed Amdocs, before eventually selling to them a few years after the legal battle was settled. Nearly floating on NASDAQ before Facebook disrupted the market. Nearly selling Openet for $360 million in 2014… twice the valuation it eventual sold for! The difficult decision to lay off 110 staff. Joe’s investments in Irish startups across space tech, food, and automotive sectors. His role as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year judge and what he’s learned from Ireland’s top founders. Links & resources: Openet: https://www.linkedin.com/company/openet/?originalSubdomain=ie Follow Joe on Linkedln: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joehogansocial/ Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
#26
May 13 · 1 hr 13 min
EE 26: Scaling the Family Business from £4 million to £50 million - Energystore MD Connor McCandless
Description We had a brilliant conversation on the podcast with Connor McCandless from Energystore a company transforming construction through innovative insulation products that help homes stay warmer, more energy efficient and quicker to build. Connor shared the incredible journey of scaling the familybusiness from £4M turnover to £50M, expanding into the US market, completing 5 acquisitions, and navigating the challenges that come with rapid growth while still protecting the culture that made the business successful in the first place. What stood out most was the balance between ambition andhumility. From supplying products used in major projects like Battersea Power Station, Fulham FC Stadium and Everton Stadium, to helping tackle the housing crisis with innovative R&D-led products that allow homes to be built moreefficiently. The growth story is remarkable. We also discussed: Running a business through a global pandemic and two global wars His first big sale that he made but never got paid for! Why becoming a parent made Connor more efficient as a leader The challenge of professionalising a family businesswithout becoming a “big corporate” How luck both good and bad has played a huge role inEnergystore’s journey A fascinating conversation about leadership, resilience,innovation and building a business that still feels personal, even at scale. Show Notes Energystore designs and manufactures insulation systems for floors, walls and roofs to improve energy efficiency in buildings Connor helped scale the business from £4M turnover to £50M The company expanded operations into the United States and his plans for the US. Energystore products have been used in projects including Battersea Power Station, Fulham FC Stadium and Everton Stadium. Their R&D team is developing products that helphousebuilders deliver homes faster and more efficiently. The business has completed 5 acquisitions under Connor’s leadership. Connor discussed the reality of integrating acquisitionswhile maintaining company culture. Energystore successfully navigated the challenges ofCOVID, supply chain disruption and geopolitical instability. Becoming a father helped Connor become more focused and efficient with his time. Despite major growth, Connor is determined toprofessionalise the business without losing the family-business feel that made it successful in the first place. Links & resources: Energystore: https://www.energystoreltd.com/ Follow Connorr on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-mccandless-03918322/ Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
#25
April 20 · 1 hr 14 min
EE 25: The Social Media Analysis Company - Olytico founder Stephen O'Leary
Imagine not listening to your customers. That’s exactly whatmost companies are doing online. This week, we sat down with Stephen O’Leary, Founder and CEO of Olytico—a company that has spent the past 17 years helping brands truly understand what’s being said about them online. Stephen is also an ex-President of the Dublin Chamber ofCommerce and sits on Advisory Boards and Committees for Munster Rugby and the GAA. After this conversation, you won’t look at your social mediastrategy the same way again. For nearly two decades, Olytico has helped companiesworldwide refine their strategies by listening to, monitoring, analysing, and reporting on online conversations—insights that most brands completely overlook. Here’s the reality: if you’re only paying attention to whatcustomers say in response to your posts, you’re missing up to 90% of the conversation. In today’s digital landscape, understanding your audiencemeans going far beyond likes and comments. In this episode, Stephen breaks down how social media listening unlocks real business value—sharing practical insights and real-world examples from companies like Monzo, WHOOP, and Dovethat are using it to gain a competitive edge. The good news? With the help of Olytico companies of all sizes can take advantage of these insights. Social media listening isn’t just about tracking mentions—it’s about understanding conversations, identifying opportunities, and ensuring your customers feel heard. Done right, it allows brands to connect with people who are actively looking for what they offer—even if they do not know they exist yet. If social media is part of your company’s strategy, this is not an episode you can afford to miss. Show Notes • Overcoming early challenges. • The importance of Dublin Chamber of Commerce in the early years. • How hiring a coach changed the trajectory of both the company and Stephen personally. • The value of the Irish Entrepreneurs community. • Effective social media strategies. • Listening to customer needs online to drive innovation. • How Monzo, WHOOP, and Dove use social listening to stay ahead. • The positive side of social media. • A year as President of Dublin Chamber of Commerce. • The evolution of social media beyond the “old guard” . • The untapped opportunity in platforms like Reddit. • Stephen’s vision for Olytico over the next five years. Links & resources: Olytico: https://olytico.com/ Follow Stephen on Linkedln: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenoleary/ Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
#24
April 13 · 57 min
EE 24: Thérapie Clinic - Building a multi billion dollar company - Philip McGlade
What does it really take to build a billion-dollar business from the ground up?Description We recently sat down with Phillip McGlade, whose journey from one clinic to building Thérapie Clinics into Europe’s largest aesthetic provider is packed with lessons for anyone looking to grow a business, lead a team, or think bigger. Phillip shares his ambition to create a billion-dollar global business, with plans to open 200 more locations in the coming years while proudly flying the Irish flag internationally. But this conversation is about far more than growth numbers. It’s about spotting opportunities when others hesitate, scaling during difficult times, learning from mistakes, building loyal teams, and knowing when the right time is to expand. Some of Thérapie’s biggest moves came during recessions, with 25 clinics opened during COVID and 24 more the year after. If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, leader, or someone with big ambitions, this episode will give you real insight into what it takes to grow successfully in uncertain times. One reminder from Phillip that everyone needs to hear: every business starts small. Tune in for a conversation full of practical lessons, honest advice, and big-picture thinking. Show notes How Thérapie became the largest aestheticprovider in Europe Current footprint: 85 clinics worldwide acrossIreland, the UK, and the US Why some of the biggest growth happened duringthe recession and after COVID Opening 25 clinics during COVID and 24 moreimmediately after The importance of spotting opportunities whenmarkets are uncertain Lessons and mistakes from expanding at speed Why businesses should dominate their home marketbefore going international Rising demand for treatments like Botox and theshift in consumer trends Thérapie’s impact beyond aesthetics as Ireland’slargest fertility provider, helping create thousands of families Growth of Optilase in laser eye and cataractsurgery Leadership stories of team members who joined in2008 and now lead major operations Why every entrepreneur should remember: everybusiness starts small. Links & resources: Thérapie Clinic: ⁠https://careers.therapieclinic.com/⁠ Follow Philip on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-mcglade-03699840/ Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/ linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
#23
April 7 · 33 min
EE 23- Ask Paul – Practical Financial Advice
We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with PaulMerriman and this one is packed with practical advice every Irish ear needs to hear. Why is over €180 billion sitting idle in deposit accounts? Are you making the most of the Small Gifts Exemption? What’s actually the smartest way to invest €10k right now? And… are Irish banks quietly costing you more than youthink? In this episode, we get into the real conversations peopleoften avoid: – The hidden risks of borrowing money – The biggest financial mistake Irish people keep making – Pension vs investment what actually makes sense for you – And why that “go-to” property purchase might not be thesafe bet you think it is – Simple Financial Planning wins This is honest advice you can actually use. If you’re trying to make smarter financial decisions (andavoid costly ones), this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Links & resources: Fairstone: https://www.fairstone.ie/ Follow Paul on Linkedln: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-merriman-... Follow on all the socials – AskPaul.ie Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
#22
March 31 · 38 min
EE: 22 – AskPaul.ie (Part 1) - The Personal Brand that changed the Financial Planning Industry
Description We recently had an incredible sit-down with Paul Merriman, CEO of Fairstone Ireland and founder of AskPaul.ie. We’ve split the conversation into two episodes, and this week’s release focuses on Paul’s incredible journey building his business. From not making it past Rag Week in college to now running a business managing €3 billion in assets, employing 250 people, and operating across 60 offices. Paul shares how the AskPaul brand was central to that growth, and why personal branding played such a pivotal role in his success. He also speaks honestly about the criticism he faced early on for doing things differently and why he stuck with it anyway. We dive into how he went on to dominate the financial planning space in Ireland (almost without realising it), which ultimately led to Fairstone acquiring the business a deal that, as Paul tells it, handshakes were made after a few drinks in Asador. Next week’s episode shifts gears into practical advice about everyone about investing, mortgages, pensions, rent vs buying, why €180 billion is sitting in deposits in Ireland, and how to approach investing your first €10k. Show notes Paul’s journey from not making it past Rag Week in college to managing €3 billion in assets, leading a team of 250 people across 60 offices Why personal branding was a game-changer and how AskPaul became the foundation of his success The reality of the grind working from 6am to 1am every day during Covid to meet demand and scale the business Facing criticism and industry “stick” early on for doing things differently and why he ignored the noise How passion for what you do, combined with consistently doing the right thing, compounds over time The story behind the sale of the business Why Fairstone was the right fit and how alignment in values/vision played a key role in the decision to sell Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs Dealing with rejection and setbacks, and using them as fuel rather than barriers Links & resources: Fairstone: https://www.fairstone.ie/ Follow Paul on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-merriman-cfp%C2%AE-48152b17/ Follow on all the socials – AskPaul.ie Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/ linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
#21
March 23 · 1 hr 1 min
EE: 21 Alex Fox - Disrupting Irelands Legal Industry with Eudia and previously Johnson Hana.
Alex Fox and Johnson Hana have fundamentally changed the legal industry in Ireland. We had an incredible conversation with Alex Fox, Co-Founder of Johnson Hana and now General Manager of Eudia, which acquired Johnson Hana for $50 million in July 2025. Alex shares how he left his sales job after recognising alongside his brother that the legal industry was broken. What followed was a challenging early journey, including the struggle to land their very first customer. He explains how the company went from strength to strength, achieving 50–100% year-on-year growth from inception through to acquisition. Alex also discusses his strong belief in raising as much funding as possible, and how that process forces founders to develop a wide range of critical skills. This is a real Irish success story and a must-listen for anyone looking to build, scale, and disrupt an industry. Show Notes • How he quit his sales job to pursue the idea behind Johnson Hana • How they leveraged UK business models to disrupt the Irish legal industry • The role of funding in their journey featuring both major setbacks and big wins • How to scale a company at speed • The importance of key mentors throughout the Johnson Hana journey • The acquisition, and why Eudia was the perfect fit • Some extremely interesting and unconventional answers in our “Question for the Road” segment Links & resources: • Eudia: https://www.eudia.com/ • Follow Alex on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-fox-473b4bb4/ Our Sponsors: • Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/ linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
#20
March 3 · 1 hr 21 min
EE: 20 Sometimes you need to fire your entire management team… including yourself.
Sometimes you need to fire your entire management team…including yourself. Meet the man who successfully stepped out of his ownbusiness. Going from working long hoursevery week to becoming the “1-Hour CEO” by completely rebuilding his management team. Paul Ryan is the CEO of Temple and EDL, an 8-figure datacommunications and electrical distribution business he started with his fatherover 40 years ago. Today, Paul helps entrepreneurs work on themselves — what he calls “The Inner Entrepreneur.” He teaches business owners how to step back from day-to-day operations, build a strong leadership team, and refocus on what truly matters — so they can create both a better business and a more fulfilled life. Paul is also a fellow podcaster. His podcast, The InnerEntrepreneur, has over 20,000 subscribers. This episode is packed with perspective shifts onleadership, culture, and how to build a great business while being fulfilled in life. Show notes Overview of Paul’s Business Ventures Early Years and Growth of Temple and EDL The Decision to Fire Himself and 4 out of 5 ofhis management team Building a Strong Management Team Cultural Fit and Hiring Practices Addressing Bad Behaviour and Culture in Business His current role being the 1-hour CEO The Importance of Fulfilment Understanding Unique Personal Drivers How Paul helps other CEO’s step away and becomefulfilled Investment Strategies for a Fulfilled Life Becoming a podcaster The Role of Meditation in Daily Life Links & resources: Temple Connectivity: https://www.temple.ie/ EDL: http://edl.ie/ Follow Paul on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/ Follow Paul on Twitter: https://x.com/paulryanwrites Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/ linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
#19
February 23 · 1 hr 6 min
EE: 19 The Entrepreneur Solving Ireland’s Biggest Social Problems
Introduced to us by the legend Paul McCarthy, who described him as a ‘National Treasure’, Denis O’Reilly more than lived up to the title. Denis is the founder of Wild Wicklow Tours, ranked second globally on TripAdvisor and number one in Ireland before selling it to Tony Doyle Coaches in 2023. But what truly sets him apart is how he has channelled that success into meaningful, lasting social impact. Through Difference Days, Denis partners leading organisations such as Smurfit Kappa, Aer Lingus, SMBC Aviation Capital and many more with DEIS and Special Needs schools to deliver transformational improvements from revitalised classrooms to restored gardens. Every DEIS school in Ballymun has benefited, and in partnership with Dublin City Council, he mobilised 300 volunteers to create a brand new community park in Dolphins Barn. During Covid, after learning that many children were going hungry, Denis launched Good Grubs, delivering up to 5,000 fresh food packs per week. To date, more than 750,000 packs have been distributed nationwide. He also founded Outdoor Spaces where he currently works, creating safe outdoor learning environments that continue to support schools across the country. This is a powerful conversation about purpose-driven entrepreneurship and the real impact business can have on communities. Show notes - Denis built Wild Wicklow Tours into a globally recognised tourism brand. - Entrepreneurship can be a powerful vehicle for social change.- Difference Days connects corporate teams with schools that need support most. - All DEIS schools in Ballymun have benefited from the initiative. - Large-scale community projects are possible through strong partnerships. - Good Grubs was created in response to child food poverty during Covid. - Over 750,000 fresh food packs have been delivered to schools nationwide. - Outdoor Spaces continues to provide long-term educational impact. - Business, when guided by purpose, can create lasting societal change. Links & resources: https://wildwicklow.ie/ https://differencedays.ie/ https://outdoorspaces.ie/ https://www.goodgrub.ie/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisoreilly/ Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/ linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
#18
February 16 · 1 hr 23 min
EE: 18 An Irish business tackling the Obesity Epidemic costing the state 2 billion a year!
This week’s guest is Dr Harriet Treacy, Founder and CEO of Beyond BMI, tackling one of Ireland’s biggest health challenges: obesity, a chronic disease affecting 1 in 3 adults and costing the state over €2 billion each year. Beyond BMI is a medically led, science-backed online weight management programme for those struggling with Obesity. Harriet’s journey began while working in emergency medicine, where she saw first-hand the lack of support for obesity and the many chronic diseases it causes. Frustrated by the system, Harriet built a comprehensive and holistic weight loss solution that has already helped thousands of people achieve real, lasting results. In this episode, we dive into: • The global obesity crisis 🌍 • Why weight loss education often misses the mark 📚 • A comprehensive weight loss approach, including Ozempic 🩺 • The benefits of Ozempic when used correctly 💉 • How social media shapes our view of health 📱 • Pivoting her original business idea with guidance from mentor John Purdy 🔄 • Funding and strategic growth 💼 • Real-life customer success stories 🌟 • Hiring the right team using psychometric testing 🧠 • Different leadership styles 👥 • A masterclass in understanding your own weaknesses 🎯 • Future growth plans, including expansion into the UK 🇬🇧 • Ozempic myths and truths 🚫✅ A must-listen for anyone interested in tackling one of the world’s biggest chronic disease challenges. This week’s guest is Dr Harriet Treacy the Founder and CEO of Beyond BMI - tackling a chronic disease effecting every 1 in 3 adults in Ireland, Obesity. Beyond BMI is a scientifically and medically backed online weight management programme led by doctors. A staggering stat of every 1 in 3 adults in Ireland have obesity costing the state directly 2 billion a year! This incredible story started while Harriet was working as a doctor in emergency medicine and how frustrated she became with the lack of support for Obesity while seeing the other chronic diseases it was causing for patients. Harriet has created an amazing comprehensive weight loss solution struggling with obesity designing a holistic approach to loosing weight. With thousands of incredible success stories. In this episode, we dive into: • The global health problem of obesity • How education around weight loss is often wrong • Comprehensive weight loss solution using Ozempic • The benefits of Ozempic if used correctly • Social media influences public perception of health. • Pivoting from her original business idea with the advice from a great mentor John Purdy • Funding and strategic growth • Real life customer success stories • Hiring the right team using psychometric tests • Different forms of leadership • A master class of being aware of your weaknesses • Future growth plans including expanding services and tackling the UK. • Ozempic myths and truths. A must listen for those interested in solving one of the worlds biggest chronic disease problems. Links & resources: Beyond BMI: https://beyondbmi.ie/ Follow Dr Harriet Treacy on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-harriet-treacy-36580695/ Our Sponsors:Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
February 9 · 2 hr 14 min
Dublin Boy who Dreamed turning a College Project into a Nasdaq Listed Company
One of Ireland’s great business success stories and there’sa reason a book has been written about it. We had an incredible conversation with Gareth Sheridan,Founder & CEO of Nutriband, a Nasdaq-listed pharmaceutical company and aformer presidential hopeful. Gareth turned a college thesis into a publicly listedcompany, building the business from his bedroom while enduring some serioushard knocks along the way. His journey lifts the lid on the tougher, oftenunseen side of doing business in the US lessons learned the hard way. Today, Gareth and Nutriband have their sights firmly set onachieving unicorn status in the pharmaceutical industry. This is a conversation not to be missed. Gareth sharespowerful insights on resilience, vision, and what it really takes to build acompany against the odds, along with invaluable advice for aspiringentrepreneurs. And yes we asked him if he’ll run for president again! Show notes Gareth's entrepreneurial journey began in a challenging environment. Feedback is crucial for improving business strategies.• Understanding the implications of ownership is vital for entrepreneurs. Public listing can significantly impact a company's growth. Fundraising poses unique challenges for startups. Navigating business deals requires careful consideration and advice. Stress can lead to opportunities in business. Running for president was motivated by a desire for change. Social media plays a significant role in public discourse.• Aspiring entrepreneurs should seek advice and learn from experiences. Links & resources: Nutriband: https://www.nutriband.com/ Follow Gareth on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethsheridanntrb/ Buy Gareth's book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-NASDAQ-Gareth-Sheridan/dp/1739233115 Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/ linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
#16
February 2 · 1 hr 12 min
EE#16 - The Healthcare AI Company on a Path to $1B | T-Pro CEO Jonathan Larbey
This week’s guest is Jonathan Larbey, Co-Founder and CEO of T-Pro. Founded 13 years ago in Ireland, T-Pro has grown into a global healthcare AI company with serious unicorn potential. Through its innovative voice recognition technology, T-Pro is reducing the administrative burden on healthcare professionals by over 70%, freeing clinicians to focus on high-value patient care. Today, T-Pro supports hospitals across the world, transforming how healthcare team’s work. In this episode, we dive into: • The evolution of T-Pro from a side-hustle legal admin provider to a global healthcare AI leader with 70% margins • Avoiding bad investment opportunities and staying bootstrapped for 10 years • The real-world impact T-Pro’s products are having on healthcare systems • Breaking into the UK market • The strategy behind taking Private Equity investment to scale globally through multiple acquisitions • The exceptional acquisition-integration team built by Jonathan’s CFO • Why taking some money off the table matters • The importance of urgency and getting your product in front of customers fast • The future of T-Pro and the ambition to build a $1 billion company A must-listen for founders, operators, and anyone interested in scaling AI businesses in highly regulated industries. Links & resources: T Pro: https://info.tpro.io/ Follow Jonathan on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-larbey-32928111/ Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/ linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
#15
January 26 · 1 hr 9 min
EE #15 - How to Build a Business in Ireland with No money
Today’s guest on The Hidden Hustle Podcast is SinéadCrowther, founder and CEO of Soothing Solutions. This episode is a true masterclass in building a businessfrom the ground up with no money, driven by resilience, persistence, and an unshakeable belief in solving a real problem. Sinéad’s journey shows what it really takes to keep going through the toughest moments of entrepreneurshipwhen resources are limited and setbacks are constant. From idea to execution, she built Soothing Solutions into astandout Irish brand, with Tonstix Honey Jelly Pops now top 10 listed on Amazon and stocked widely across Ireland, the UK, Mauritius, Romania and hopefully of the US soon! Her impact has been recognised at the highest level,including being named Enterprise Ireland’s High-Potential Start-Up Founder of the Year, cementing her reputation as one of Ireland’s most inspiring entrepreneurs. If you have an idea for a business in Ireland but think funding is holding you back this is the episode for you. Links & resources: Tonstix: https://tonstix.com/Follow Sinead on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sin%C3%A9ad-crowther-8a743a138/ Our Sponsors: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy/posts/?feedView=all http://www.wearetap.ie/

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