The Entrepreneur Experiment

When everyone else is chasing trends, mentalist and hypnotist Keith Barry goes the opposite direction. In this Mentor Moment, Keith reveals how leaning into long-form content—when everyone else was focused on short-form Reels—helped him go viral and land major event bookings. He also shares how he uses platforms like LinkedIn in unconventional ways to connect with decision-makers and why valuing yourself, your energy, and your unique approach is key to standing out.🎧 This bite-sized insight is taken from Episode 397 of The Entrepreneur Experiment Podcast, where Keith shares his full journey and business lessons. If you want to hear more from Keith, listen back to the full episode now.————Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration on Business, Brain and Body, as well as exclusive events, courses and more, straight to your inbox. It's free! https://www.mrgaryfox.com/subscribe-1 --- Visit my partners Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE Nostra: https://bit.ly/3HHwSMo (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even...)

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary sits down with Alan Andrews, the unapologetically honest founder behind Old Barracks Roastery and Guji Coffee Bar. Known for his bold social content and Ireland’s most controversial coffee shop (no kids allowed, dogs welcome, €15 cups of coffee), Alan lifts the lid on the real cost of starting and scaling a successful hospitality business.He breaks down the myths that plague the coffee industry — from delusional €10K startup budgets to the glorification of hustle culture — and explains why €100K is the minimum buy-in for building a sustainable, profitable coffee business. Alan also shares the deeply personal reasons behind his adults-only policy, how he prioritises family without sacrificing growth, and why honesty (not trends) should drive your brand strategy.This episode is a masterclass in branding, business modelling, and living by your values — one cup at a time.Show Notes:In this episode, we cover:☕ The Real Costs of Starting a Coffee ShopWhy €10K won’t cut it, and what you actually need to spendHow Alan built a coffee bar in Limerick for €100K — and what that buys youThe weekly turnover benchmark every shop needs to survive: €10K📈 Sustainability in HospitalityAre you building a job or a business?The industry’s problem with low-barrier entry and poor planningWhy coffee deserves the same pricing architecture as wine or steak🔥 Polarising Branding & Standing OutThe €15 coffee that sparked national debateAdults-only cafes: creating intentional spaces for deep connectionWhy Alan doesn't care if everyone likes him — and how it’s his superpower🎯 Transparent Social Media MarketingAlan’s viral TikToks on coffee costs and customer misconceptionsHow to win on social in 2025: go real, go niche, get honest"The customer isn’t always right — sometimes they’re just not your customer."👨‍👧 Entrepreneurship & FatherhoodThe hidden reason Alan created a kid-free cafeHow divorce and co-parenting shaped his time philosophyThe ultimate goal: build a business that doesn’t cost you your family💬 “You didn’t even buy yourself a job — you bought yourself a trap. You’re working 14 hours a day, making no money, and calling it entrepreneurship.”Links & Resources:Visit Old Barracks Roastery (Birdhill): https://oldbarracks.ie/Follow Alan on TikTok: @oldbarracksroasterySubscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration on Business, Brain and Body, as well as exclusive events, courses and more, straight to your inbox. It's free! https://www.mrgaryfox.com/subscribe-1 --- Visit my partners Enterprise Ireland: https://bit.ly/EIreland Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE Nostra: https://bit.ly/3HHwSMo

In this Mentor Moment, Gary Fox speaks with Sahil Bloom — investor, writer, and creator — about how his definition of success has transformed. Once focused purely on financial outcomes, Sahil now measures success through time, people, purpose, and health, seeing money as a natural byproduct rather than the goal.He also shares a refreshing take on imposter syndrome, reframing it as a sign of growth and a tax on personal progress, and explains why asking “Why not me?” is the mindset shift every founder needs when stepping into bigger rooms.This is a short but powerful conversation packed with perspective shifts to help you redefine success on your own terms.To listen to the full episode, go to episode number 401. ----- Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration on Business, Brain and Body, as well as exclusive events, courses and more, straight to your inbox. It's free! https://www.mrgaryfox.com/subscribe-1 --- Visit my partners: Enterprise Ireland: https://bit.ly/EIreland Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE Nostra: https://bit.ly/3HHwSMo

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary Fox sits down with one of Ireland’s most recognisable business voices, Bobby Kerr — founder of Perk, former CEO and Chairman of Insomnia, investor, broadcaster, and champion of Irish enterprise.Bobby shares his remarkable journey from starting his first business at 39 — remortgaging his house with a newborn at home — to building Insomnia into over 800 locations across Ireland through smart partnerships, relentless drive, and a willingness to bet on himself.He reveals the lessons learned from navigating the arrival of Starbucks, the power of merging with competitors to scale, and why focusing on multiple revenue streams saved the business more than once. Bobby also opens up about selling in 2018 after a cancer diagnosis, the freedom he’s designed for himself since, and the businesses exciting him today, from Bread 41 to Irish tourism.Whether you’re an early-stage founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, Bobby’s story is a masterclass in vision, resilience, and knowing when to play the long game.Show NotesIn this episode, we cover:☕ How Bobby spotted Ireland’s coffee culture shift before it happened🏪 The first Perk café on Grafton Street — and why a turnover-based rent deal was a game-changer📉 Surviving Starbucks opening next door (and why it helped sales)🤝 The three-way merger that became Insomnia — and why owning 30% of something bigger was better than 100% of his own📈 Growing from 5 cafés to 200+ shops and 600 convenience store locations💡 Creating three revenue streams: high street, concessions, and convenience retail🛑 The importance of multiple revenue streams to de-risk a business⚡ Why Bobby sold in 2018 after recovering from cancer🍞 Why Bread 41 is his “most exciting” current project🌍 Opportunities in Irish tourism and the bakery market🎯 What he looks for when backing founders (and why it’s “the jockey, not the horse”)📚 Bobby’s top book recommendations, daily habits, and best investment adviceLinks & ResourcesBread 41 – Award-winning Irish bakery: https://bread41.ie/Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred LansingThe Spider Covenant by Brian Klein----- Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration on Business, Brain and Body, as well as exclusive events, courses and more, straight to your inbox. It's free! https://www.mrgaryfox.com/subscribe-1 --- Visit my partners Enterprise Ireland: https://bit.ly/EIreland Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE Nostra: https://bit.ly/3HHwSMo

Áine Kerr is an award-winning journalist and serial entrepreneur, co-founding Storyful and Kinzen. She shares her unique journey from teaching to tech entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of resilience and radical transparency. Áine dives into the emotional rollercoaster of startups, detailing her experiences with both companies' acquisitions by major players. She emphasizes creating purpose-driven businesses, the significance of high-performing teams, and finding one's 'why' to inspire meaningful change in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Fran Quilty, co-founder and CEO of Conjura, shares insights on navigating the e-commerce landscape. He discusses the shift from consulting to a scalable product, emphasizing AI's role in analytics and business operations. The conversation highlights the importance of focusing on core products and the rise of marketplaces in driving revenue. Fran sheds light on the evolving consumer behaviors post-COVID and stresses the need for data integration in decision-making. He offers valuable advice for founders aspiring to thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Barry Napier's journey is anything but ordinary. He transitioned from trading phones globally to founding Cubic Telecom, which he sold for €473 million. His insights on resilience shine as he navigated the challenges of mobile network building. A pivotal moment came with a partnership with Tesla, propelling the company into new markets like China and Hong Kong. This narrative is a masterclass in grit, strategic vision, and relentless execution.

Kevin O’Loughlin, founder and CEO of Nostra, shares his inspiring journey from being €1M in debt to leading a tech giant that serves over 1,000 businesses. He discusses how a recession led him to self-reflection and the importance of personal discipline in his comeback. O'Loughlin highlights the transformative power of AI in enhancing efficiency while retaining company values. He also emphasizes daily meditation, visualization, and the need for robust cybersecurity, offering profound insights for entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty.

In this weekend's Mentor Moment, Conor Sheridan, founder of Nory, shares the mindset shift that helped him go from startup operator to scaling a global restaurant tech company.From embracing boldness in a culture that often discourages it, to mastering the underrated power of “the next logical step,” Conor breaks down the thinking that led to raising $26 million and building a 10-year roadmap.This is a must-listen for any founder struggling with imposter syndrome, over-planning, or self-promotion. It’s also a reminder that telling your story with conviction isn’t arrogance - it’s your biggest marketing opportunity.Want more? Listen to the full episode [Ep. 389].—-Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration on Business, Brain and Body, as well as exclusive events, courses and more, straight to your inbox. It's free! https://www.mrgaryfox.com/subscribe-1---Visit my partnersEnterprise Ireland: https://bit.ly/EIrelandAzure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEENostra: https://bit.ly/3HHwSMo

Dive into the world of AI bookkeeping as Ross and David unveil Outmin's groundbreaking journey! They tackle the art of navigating funding, raising €4M while rejecting vanity metrics. With a focus on automating bookkeeping, they share insights on competitive advantages through data and the importance of robust testing. Discover how they transformed accounting and the role of AI in business, making complex tasks easier and more efficient. This discussion blends personal health insights with powerful entrepreneurial lessons!