The Entrepreneur Experiment

Over the last 5 years, I've interviewed hundreds of founders to uncover the founder's formula for success. I’ve taken the learnings from all my interviews and shaped a framework for success across six key areas. Brain, Body, Business, Family/Friends, Finances and Fun. This podcast is about creating experiments for ourselves so that we can devise our ultimate founder formula. Today's podcast introduces you to The Founder Formula concept and our plan for season 20 of the podcast. --- Thanks to my season partners Local Enterprise Office: https://rebrand.ly/EELEO Azure Communications: https://rebrand.ly/eeazure Property Bridges: https://rebrand.ly/eepropbridge *Use code Fox20 to get 20% discount with Azure.

Each week, I bring you a brand new mentor to help you build your own Founder Formula for success. Today, your mentor is David Hartigan, the founder of Hemp Heros. He teaches us when to commit everything to your business and give up your safety net.  Check out the Full Podcast Episode with David Hartigan, CEO of Hemp Heros - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZeJRHBZPSM&t=1727s  --- Thanks to my Partners Visit them to support the podcast Growing Further: https://bit.ly/3Lia2tn Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/3vPQAzF 

Unlock the secrets to smarter, more efficient public transport systems with our guest, Brian O'Rourke, CEO & co-founder of CitySwift. From running buses to concerts in Croke Park & Slane, Brian and his co-founder Alan Farrelly, have see all sides of the bus transport infastructure. This led them to strike gold with their idea to unlock the millions of terrabytes of data created by buses each year. Discover how CitySwift harnesses extensive data analytics to tackle the unique challenges of bus operations, from traffic unpredictability to varying schedules. Learn about the historical reluctance in the public transport sector to embrace innovation and how that mindset is changing, illustrated by a compelling story about a major UK bus company's initial resistance to adopting data-driven strategies. Explore the balancing act of improving bus schedule accuracy and efficiency, especially in the constantly evolving post-COVID travel landscape. Brian explains the specific challenges private operators face in minimizing delays without causing overcrowding or underutilization of services. Using Transport for Wales as a prime example, we discuss how strategic infrastructure improvements like bus lanes and cutting-edge data analytics are revolutionizing congestion management and bus priority planning. Get an insider's perspective on the entrepreneurial journey behind CitySwift, from the founders' initial vision of creating an "Uber for buses" to their pivot towards scalable solutions. Hear firsthand accounts of the early days, strategic connections, and crucial decisions that propelled CitySwift forward. Plus, gain insights into the future of sustainable urban transport and the transformative potential of anonymized people movement data in redefining city planning post-COVID. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, public transport, and sustainability.  --- Thanks to my Partners - Visit them to support the podcast Growing Further: https://bit.ly/3Lia2tn Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/3vPQAzF

Nick Keegan, the CEO & co-founder of MailMetrics is your mentor this week. He teaches us how to use venture debt and company acquisitions to supercharge your company growth.  Check out the full podcast here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPRHfAvJGC0  --- Thanks to my Partners - Visit them to support the podcast Growing Further: https://bit.ly/3Lia2tn Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/3vPQAzF 

This episode will surprise you. I speak with one of the most open and honest founders I've had on this podcast. She is the perfect blend of ambition and authenticity.  Laura Bonner, founder of The Muff Liquor Company, shares how she landed celebrity investors like Russell Crowe, Ed Sheeran, Jimmy Carr, Ronan Keating and Ryan Tubridy.  Laura takes us behind the scenes of her unexpected A-list support, the emotional highs and lows of launching her brand, and the power of visualization in her success. We dive into her unique business strategies, the grounding practices that keep her focused, and how she turned challenges—like the COVID-19 pandemic—into stepping stones. Laura's candid insights on authenticity, self-care, and turning failure into fuel make this a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their entrepreneurial game. Tune in to discover how Laura's journey from idea to action can inspire your own path to success! --- Thanks to my Partners - Visit them to support the podcast Growing Further: https://bit.ly/3Lia2tn Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/3vPQAzF

In this insightful discussion, venture capitalist DC Cahalan shares his journey from entrepreneur to a key player in Ireland's startup scene. He reveals the strong community ties underpinning Irish entrepreneurship and highlights the role of Enterprise Ireland in supporting growth. DC addresses the evolving work-life balance for entrepreneurs and the impact of the pandemic on business practices. He also shares wisdom on funding strategies, emphasizing the importance of community and networking while navigating the complexities of the venture capital landscape.

I am joined by the distinguished Professor Stephen Kinsella, a leading economist with a deep understanding of the Irish economy. Professor Kinsella brings Economics 101 to our founders, answering the pressing questions on how the economy operates, the intricacies of inflation, and the practical implications for businesses. Whether you're an early-stage founder or an established entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights on navigating economic cycles, understanding monetary policies, and optimising your business strategies in 2024 and beyond. Tune in to learn how to keep your business thriving amidst changing economic conditions and leverage economic principles to your advantage. Stephen is Professor of Economics and Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Limerick's Kemmy Business School, Co-Director of Immersive Software Engineering and Economic Advisor to An Taoiseach, Simon Harris. --- Thanks to my Partners - Visit them to support the podcast Growing Further: https://bit.ly/3Lia2tn Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/3vPQAzF

Your Mentor Moment this week is with Ian Browne. Ian Browne is the MD at NRDC. In this episode, we learn the key secrets to turning ideas to reality by truly understanding your customer problems. --- Thanks to my Partners - Visit them to support the podcast Growing Further: https://bit.ly/3Lia2tn Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/3vPQAzF

Special episode with Paul Grewal, the Chief Legal Officer of Coinbase. I've been a user and fan of Coinbase since 2016 so to get the opportunity to sit down with Paul was incredible. We talk about why Ireland is perfectly placed to become a global fintech & crypto hub.  We also do a deep dive into the broader crypto world.  This was recorded at Dublin Tech Summit with a live audience.  --- Thanks to my Partners - Visit them to support the podcast Growing Further: https://bit.ly/3Lia2tn Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/3vPQAzF

Today our mentor is Ciaran Crean the co-founder of MicksGarage.com and WaveOMS. We discuss whether Ireland is simply the wrong place to start certain types of businesses.  To hear the full interview with Ciaran, go back to episode 243.  --- Thanks to my Partners - Visit them to support the podcast Growing Further: https://bit.ly/3Lia2tn Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/3vPQAzF