

Tech Powered Luxury
Ashley McDonnell
Welcome to Season 6 of Tech Powered Luxury, brought to you with Azure Communications! You can visit them at www.azurecomm.ie.
Tech Powered Luxury is hosted by luxury and tech entrepreneur Ashley McDonnell. With 10 years of experience working at the crossroads of luxury and technology, Ashley carved out a career across Paris, Dublin and Geneva, working at LVMH, Dior, Google and luxury group PUIG. The podcast is also taught as a module at leading business and design schools around the world, with the goal to share insightful and actionable stories and experience from industry leaders.
Tech Powered Luxury is hosted by luxury and tech entrepreneur Ashley McDonnell. With 10 years of experience working at the crossroads of luxury and technology, Ashley carved out a career across Paris, Dublin and Geneva, working at LVMH, Dior, Google and luxury group PUIG. The podcast is also taught as a module at leading business and design schools around the world, with the goal to share insightful and actionable stories and experience from industry leaders.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 11, 2023 • 1h 3min
Shannon McLinden: Rescuing Complexions & Animals in Need with FarmHouse Fresh
FarmHouse Fresh is a brand cherished by millions: from Hollywood stars to the world's best estheticians and makeup artists, top-tier hotel spas, and millions of customers around the globe. But it's more than skincare; it's a testament to the beauty and power of nature, the celebration of life, and, above all, rescuing animals in need. Shannon McLinden founded FarmHouse Fresh 19 years ago with a single product that made its way directly into Oprah's magazine, and her brand story has grown stronger every single year. Now headquartered on their own ranch in Texas, FarmHouse Fresh has the space to grow its own potent plants with just-harvested botanicals bursting with nutrition for your skin. The ranch also serves as a haven for the animals that they have rescued over the years.Today, Shannon shifts the language of skincare and beauty transformation while maintaining a strong focus on natural, safe, organic products developed in a cruelty-free, farm-friendly environment.Listen to Shannon's incredible story of adventure, curiosity, passion, and care as she navigates the worlds of beauty, brand building, and animal rescue, recorded from her hilltop ranch in McKinney, Texas.Tech Powered Luxury is proudly sponsored by FarmHouse Fresh.TPL S3 is proudly sponsored by FarmHouse Fresh. #techpoweredluxury Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 4, 2023 • 46min
Nikita Mehta: Cultivating Power and Purpose in Haircare
Ayurveda's alternative perspective on beauty propels the spiritual path of wellness for the creative and conscious beauty entrepreneur, Nikita Mehta. From studying languages to completing a Computer Science and Business degree, Nikita's trajectory to beauty and haircare collided with many turns, reflection, and learnings from eight years of working at pioneering houses of fine fragrance: from Patou to PUIG. These experiences resonate with her today, adding to the conscious understanding of the luxury rhythm, amidst the noise in a saturated world of beauty. Nikita knows exactly who she is, and knows who she wants to be: 'You don't need to be masculine; you can be feminine and lead.'Nikita, as the creative head of Fable and Mane, coined the name from her childhood nostalgia of "storytime with haircare." Since its launch in 2020, Nikita's mission with Fable and Mane has been to captivate consumers with the meaningful persona of the brand, rooted in her intuition as the cornerstone of her significant success. This journey is akin to the story of Ayurveda, aligning with one's inner peace. By modernizing Indian ingredients in Western parlance, Nikita Mehta's story of leadership and creativity is captivating and impactful in the shifting digital and luxury worlds. With Tech-Powered Luxury, Nikita leans in on her learnings, her catapulting views on branding, and how she evolves as the 'guardian of the brand.'Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you in partnership with FarmHouse Fresh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 28, 2023 • 36min
Ashley McDonnell: Lessons Learned from Tech Powered Luxury
This episode is brought to you by myself, Ashley McDonnell, host of Tech Powered Luxury.After two seasons of delving into the cutting edge of technology and modern luxury, it's time to turn the mic and share a glimpse of my own journey. This episode was recorded during my last few days in Geneva, where I relocated to take on the role of Global Digital Media and E-Commerce Director at luxury group PUIG's international holding before I move back to Paris. In the course of our conversation, my aim is to carve out a space within the realms of fashion, beauty, and luxury, welcoming everyone with their dreams and differences.My first full time role was as Digital Project Manager at Dior at their headquarters in Paris. At first glance, my journey may look like a luxury and tech fairytale. After Dior, Google, LVMH, and now at PUIG. In due course of time, I’ve also joined advisory boards for beauty brands and a fashion rental start-up. I currently serve as Chairperson of the board of Digital Business Ireland and have given lectures on luxury and tech around the globe. However, throughout my roles, I have faced many challenges and rejections, navigated my fears with resilience and hope.From being a mere observer to standing at the crossroads of bringing luxury brands and campaigns to life with innovation and technology, my journey begins with a transformative visit to an exhibition at London’s Somerset House: "DIOR ILLUSTRATED," in 2010. Since then, my life has evolved with fashion, beauty, many facets of the luxury and tech worlds and beyond.In this episode, I aim to illuminate the intricacies of my journey—the learnings, the dreams, the failures, and many milestones in the world of tech and luxury. Also, in the spirit of transparency, I’m using the Tech Powered Luxury podcast to learn from the best. It allows me to ask all the questions I have for true leaders in the many specialized areas of luxury and technology. I hope you enjoy this episode, and the beginning of Season 3 - a new chapter for Tech Powered Luxury. Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you in partnership with FarmHouse Fresh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 22, 2023 • 55min
Paul Sheeran Jewellers: 33 Years of Developing the Fine Diamonds, Jewellery and Luxury Watches Industry in Ireland
The Season 2 Finale of Tech Powered Luxury dives deep into the role of education within the luxury industry, with a particular focus on luxury watches and fine diamond jewellery, with Ireland's Paul Sheeran, renowned fine diamond jeweller with over 33 years in business. Paul Sheeran is a trained jeweller and watch maker, but most importantly, he is an entrepreneur and a storyteller.Leaving school at 15, Paul Sheeran studied at the Irish Swiss Institute of Horology and went on to create one of Ireland's most loved fine diamond jewellery brands and luxury watch retailers. Paul Sheeran's newest chapter involves the opening of a multi-brand luxury watch showroom on Dublin’s Chatham Street including Cartier, Breitling, IWC, Panerai, Jaeger-LeCoultre, TAG Heuer, Tudor, Hublot & Montblanc.Listen to our final episode of Season 2 of Tech Powered Luxury, sponsored by Seoulista Beauty, as Paul Sheeran recalls his euphoric moments of brand building to spells of sombre economy in his 33 years of developing the business of luxury in Ireland.Tech Powered Luxury is noted as one of the top fashion podcasts, top beauty podcasts and top luxury podcasts, as well as ranking globally as a top business, tech and entrepreneurship podcast. Tech Powered Luxury has ranked number one within the fashion and beauty podcast category in Ireland and Singapore, and number 3 within the fashion and beauty podcast category in India, as well as entering the Top 10 podcast charts internationally. This podcast is sponsored by Seoulista, a multi-award winning beauty brand, bringing innovative skincare expertise to the conversation. The TPL community benefits from 15% off skincare and supplements from Seoulista Beauty with the code TPL15.Tech Powered Luxury's social campaigns are powered by GladCloud, an AI-driven social marketing platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 15, 2023 • 51min
Crafting Business Through Makeup and Creativity: Aideen Kate
Irish makeup artist turned beauty entrepreneur, Aideen Kate, is a creative genius who embodies a unique blend of skills and passions. With an unwavering love for expressing herself through makeup, she fearlessly explores the realms of creativity, daring to be different and embracing her untamed spirit. Aideen's journey in the world of makeup has become a true passion, leading her down a path where she finds fulfillment and purpose, valuing it above all else. Born and raised in Ireland, she has cultivated her craft and honed her skills, making her a force to be reckoned with in the makeup industry. Aideen's story starts in 2013, close to the early days of Instagram, when she learned the craft of building her community, expressing herself, and believing in casting the message of beauty across the globe. With consistency in creativity, Aideen has proved to be a genius in unmasking the art of digital marketing and building a niche in maneuvering social media etiquette, vis-à-vis extending her personality to her brand, True Beauty. In retrospect, Aideen fondly recalls how she spent Monday to Friday every week posting on Instagram, and Saturday and Sunday working for her clients, as a foray to start her thriving business. Aideen's life encompasses a tale of dedication to art, absorbing the experience of showcasing her side of creativity fiercely, and tapping into the digital marketing space from the wisdom of 'if you never try, you never know.'With Ashley, Aideen seeks to inspire young creators in demystifying the magic behind creativity, delivering business by negotiating the fine lines of being a beautician, social media expert, and shaping her own business with her namesake label, True Beauty.Tech Powered Luxury is noted as one of the top fashion podcasts, top beauty podcasts and top luxury podcasts, as well as ranking globally as a top business, tech and entrepreneurship podcast. Tech Powered Luxury has ranked number one within the fashion and beauty podcast category in Ireland and Singapore, and number 3 within the fashion and beauty podcast category in India, as well as entering the Top 10 podcast charts internationally. This podcast is sponsored by Seoulista, a multi-award winning beauty brand, bringing innovative skincare expertise to the conversation. The TPL community benefits from 15% off skincare and supplements from Seoulista Beauty with the code TPL15.Tech Powered Luxury's social campaigns are powered by GladCloud, an AI-driven social marketing platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 8, 2023 • 44min
Haneen Al Saify: Taking the Lead in Modest Luxury Fashion, Social Media in the Middle East and Female Entrepreneurship
From being a custodian of beauty for Qatari women, to front lining in business, Haneen Al Saify is a visionary trailblazer who has redefined the codes of modest fashion and built a thriving business empire. As a leading influencer in the world of luxury fashion, Haneen has brought unparalleled representation for Arab women onto the global stage, partnering with luxury brands to cater to clients in the Middle East with bespoke offerings.With her background in chemical engineering and love for beauty, Haneen created one of the first magnetic eyelash brands to be sold in Qatar, and her ascent in the beauty industry led her to develop a curated assortment of products that catered to the niche needs of Qatari women. During her inspiring conversation with Ashley, Haneen reflects on her journey, sharing business pivots that helped her learn about the market, and the pieces of her own story that have made her one of the biggest names in beauty in Arabia.Tune in to discover Haneen's creative aptitude in reframing lifestyle choices for women in the Middle East and how she has leveraged social media to navigate the digital landscape of the region and beyond.Tech Powered Luxury is noted as one of the top fashion podcasts, top beauty podcasts and top luxury podcasts, as well as ranking globally as a top business, tech and entrepreneurship podcast. Tech Powered Luxury has ranked number one within the fashion and beauty podcast category in Ireland and Singapore, and number 3 within the fashion and beauty podcast category in India, as well as entering the Top 10 podcast charts internationally. This podcast is sponsored by Seoulista, a multi-award winning beauty brand, bringing innovative skincare expertise to the conversation. The TPL community benefits from 15% off skincare and supplements from Seoulista Beauty with the code TPL15.Tech Powered Luxury's social campaigns are powered by GladCloud, an AI-driven social marketing platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 1, 2023 • 1h 5min
Brewing Beauty From Science: Seoulista Beauty by Una McGurk
Una McGurk has dedicated her career to the intersection of science and beauty, creating innovative products that distill the best of both worlds. With over 2 decades of experience in consumer goods and the wellness industry, Una's expertise in salon-quality beauty treatments has allowed her to launch her own beauty brand, Seoulista Beauty, which is rooted in science and backed by her passion for wellness.Una has always been a trailblazer, and her journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to building new and innovative companies with culture at their core. From her Dublin wellness group, Una has now transformed the concept of wellness in Ireland by creating products that can be used at home for salon-quality treatments that fuse the latest in medi-clinical technology with home remedies to provide a comprehensive approach to skincare.Seoulista Beauty takes skincare to the next level, using cutting-edge technology to create products that are both sustainable and effective. From haircare to skincare, Una has curated a selection of products that cater to everyone, with a focus on ingredients and rituals that stand the test of time.In her conversation with Ashley, Una discusses how science can nurture beauty to create a beauty routine that is truly sustainable, efficient, and tailored to the individual.Tech Powered Luxury is noted as one of the top fashion podcasts, top beauty podcasts and top luxury podcasts, as well as ranking globally as a top business, tech and entrepreneurship podcast. Tech Powered Luxury has ranked number one within the fashion and beauty podcast category in Ireland and Singapore, and number 3 within the fashion and beauty podcast category in India, as well as entering the Top 10 podcast charts internationally. This podcast is sponsored by Seoulista, a multi-award winning beauty brand, bringing innovative skincare expertise to the conversation. The TPL community benefits from 15% off skincare and supplements from Seoulista Beauty with the code TPL15.Tech Powered Luxury's social campaigns are powered by GladCloud, an AI-driven social marketing platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 27, 2023 • 1h 4min
Thuy-Anh Nguyen: The Luxury Marketing Maestro
Thuy-Anh Nguyen’s journey gets bigger and better. At the redolent of times of culture and conversations, Thuy's rich corporate experiences and her learning at business school empowered her journey. From the pharmaceuticals world to the world of luxury goods, Thuy leads a league of her own.Before the worlds of culture and luxury had collided on Instagram, Thuy was blending fashion, music and sport for global luxury brands and embracing the power of branding and entertainment, leading to the first partnership with the NFL Superbowl for Hennessy USA.After a 15+ years in luxury marketing, Thuy started her own company, ECG Marketing. Cardinally, ECG builds community, breaks through the expectations and delivers remarkable impact on the community, the brand and targeted goals. Besides being a marketing pioneer, Thuy supports the beginnings of careers within the Asian American Collective, extending her hand to younger Asian Americans who envision a similar career in luxury and fashion. Tech Powered Luxury is graced by her candor and in this episode, as Thuy discusses her journey from Boston to Los Angeles and Paris, leaving behind an inspirational imprint for young Asian Americans.Tech Powered Luxury is noted as one of the top fashion podcasts, top beauty podcasts and top luxury podcasts, as well as ranking globally as a top business, tech and entrepreneurship podcast. Tech Powered Luxury has ranked number one within the fashion and beauty podcast category in Ireland and Singapore, and number 3 within the fashion and beauty podcast category in India, as well as entering the Top 10 podcast charts internationally. This podcast is sponsored by Seoulista, a multi-award winning beauty brand, bringing innovative skincare expertise to the conversation. The TPL community benefits from 15% off skincare and supplements from Seoulista Beauty with the code TPL15.Tech Powered Luxury's social campaigns are powered by GladCloud, an AI-driven social marketing platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 24, 2023 • 59min
Footprint of Fun, Individuality and Unapologetic Success: Nicki Hoyne
Personality driven and sustainability plastered all over the collections, Nicki epitomises the art of leading your own league. From Irish Kilkenny to London, Nicki candidly celebrates her spirit of being different, charting her own course. A larger than classroom student with affinity for magic, business driven Nicki took a deep learning curve with her entrepreneurship course after completing theatre school. Briefly after, Nicki did marketing jobs in London to immerse in the idea of starting her own business. Nicki's footwear brand, 'My Shinning Armour' opened the doors to redolent characters of Nicki's personality: go getter, unabashed love for fashion and believing in yourself underpinned with the one motto, slow fashion. With two limited edition collections every year, Nicki morphed her success story by adding her own name to the business, 'The Nicki Hoyne Collection' with 6 handbags only collection.One unique language. A statement beginning. Structured marketing embedded with digital first strategies, reverent range of never seen before bags, Niki's business glorified for its bespoke roaster of clientele and unwavering commitment to slow fashion. Today, Nicki is a #3 times IMAGE business nominee, award winning designer and a undisputed fashion from Ireland.Discover the maximalism of a self-made story of sustainable fashion business, remnants of past that build a story of future and how art is more than what meets the eye with another Ireland native and our co-founder, Ashley McDonnell.Tech Powered Luxury is noted as one of the top fashion podcasts, top beauty podcasts and top luxury podcasts, as well as ranking globally as a top business, tech and entrepreneurship podcast. Tech Powered Luxury has ranked number one within the fashion and beauty podcast category in Ireland and Singapore, and number 3 within the fashion and beauty podcast category in India, as well as entering the Top 10 podcast charts internationally. This podcast is sponsored by Seoulista, a multi-award winning beauty brand, bringing innovative skincare expertise to the conversation. The TPL community benefits from 15% off skincare and supplements from Seoulista Beauty with the code TPL15.Tech Powered Luxury's social campaigns are powered by GladCloud, an AI-driven social marketing platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 19, 2023 • 57min
Julie Bogaert: The Intersection of Talent and Technology on Snap
This week, the podcast is graced with the presence of the talented Julie Bogaert, Head of Talent Partnerships for Snap EMEA, who has spent 14 years advising and guiding renowned celebrities, music artists, athletes and notable figures on their social media strategies.Julie shares her invaluable insights on the power of Snapchat and Augmented Reality in building a strong community and sustainable business. A master of her craft, she has worked with some of the biggest global brands, including The Royal Family, The Beckhams, Malala and Edward Enninful.With her illustrious career spanning across various industries, Julie's journey to becoming one of British Vogue's influential women of the year is nothing short of remarkable. Tune in to this week's episode and prepare to be transported into the wondrous world of luxury and tech, as Tech Powered Luxury delves deep into the captivating world of talent partnerships, content creation, and the role they play in shaping the digital community. Tech Powered Luxury is noted as one of the top fashion podcasts, top beauty podcasts and top luxury podcasts, as well as ranking globally as a top business, tech and entrepreneurship podcast. Tech Powered Luxury has ranked number one within the fashion and beauty podcast category in Ireland and Singapore, and number 3 within the fashion and beauty podcast category in India, as well as entering the Top 10 podcast charts internationally. This podcast is sponsored by Seoulista, a multi-award winning beauty brand, bringing innovative skincare expertise to the conversation. The TPL community benefits from 15% off skincare and supplements from Seoulista Beauty with the code TPL15.Tech Powered Luxury's social campaigns are powered by GladCloud, an AI-driven social marketing platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.