The Entrepreneur Experiment

Unlock the secrets of securing investment, scaling a business, and overcoming the obstacles faced by female entrepreneurs in our insightful discussion with Chupi Sweetman, founder of Chupi Jewellery, and James Doody, a director with IBI Corporate Finance. This was filmed with a live audience at my studio in the private cinema in the Greenway Building by Iconic Offices Expect to be inspired by Chupi’s journey, raising a remarkable €3.75 million last year, and James's expert advice on fundraising that will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take on the world of finance. We don't just stop at raising capital, but pull back the curtain on the journey of starting a business from the ground up. Hear firsthand how Chupi took her business from a spare room to a successful brand, and get James's expert advice on building a solid financial plan and team. The power of networking, resilience, and turning rejections into opportunities also take center stage in our chat.  Rounding out our episode, we broach the subject of finding the right investors, decoding terms, and the hidden costs of opportunity. James shares his personal experience with investment, stressing the importance of matchmakers in aligning entrepreneurs and investors. We highlight the need to understand your business valuations and set realistic expectations. Chupi and James leave us with powerful insights into the world of entrepreneurship, reminding us that gender should never define your journey, and the importance of forming genuine bonds in business. Tune in for an episode packed with wisdom, advice, and real-world experiences that every entrepreneur will find invaluable.     (06:11) - Starting and Scaling a Business (15:51) - Company Funding and Finance for Entrepreneurs (24:22) - Finding the Right Investors and Terms (28:21) - Raising Capital for Business Growth (35:02) - Business Climate's Financing Challenges (42:34) - Networking and Building Genuine Relationships (46:14) - Funding Process and Female Entrepreneurship (58:51) - Advice for Founders and Funding Strategies (01:11:04) - Challenges and Options for Female Founders (01:14:27) - Partnerships and Generational Progress   --- Join my free weekly email newsletter here: https://bit.ly/40TgDkq --- My Season Partners ADHD Now: https://bit.ly/49uzd6N Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/iconicEE23 EIIS Innovation Fund: https://bit.ly/3sxFdLp    

Mark Abraham, the founder of Shackle, sits down with Gary Fox. Shackle is the global travel app of the future. They have raised ove $20 million with the ultimate ambition of building a business bigger than Airbnb! Originally from Tullamore, Mark now lives in Dubai after a career that has spanned the globe. In this episode we discuss: His calculated decision to move to the Middle East How Shackle can be bigger than Airbnb Why Mark believes work life balance is a myth How he secured some of the world's biggest founders are investors His unique networking approach --- Join my free weekly email newsletter here: https://bit.ly/40TgDkq --- My Season Partners Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/iconicEE23 EIIS Innovation Fund: https://bit.ly/3sxFdLp ADHD Now: https://bit.ly/49uzd6N  

Speed of execution is what seperates entrepreneurs from wantrepreneurs. Aonghus developed his very first product version using a cardboard box!  Your mentor today shares with us the power of executing fast and how momentum is everything when building your first product. Aonghus Shortt is the CEO & founder of Food Marble. You can go back and listen to the full episode at EE 125.  --- Join my free weekly email newsletter here: https://bit.ly/40TgDkq --- My Season Partners EIIS Innovation Fund: https://bit.ly/3sxFdLp ADHD Now: https://bit.ly/49uzd6N Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/iconicEE23  

Former Head of Social at Ryanair, Michael Corcoran, shares the explosive split that caused him and his team to leave their jobs. He also reveals the secrets to generating 2 billion organic impressions on social media. Corcoran discusses crafting resonating content, the strategy behind Ryanair's 'always on' content, and his insights into various social media platforms. He highlights the importance of professionalism and integrity for entrepreneurs and business owners.

In today's episode we go behind the scenes of last week's Wealth Summit and my time with Steven Bartlett. I share the insights & lessons he revealed both on stage but also behind the scenes as we hung out backstage. --- Join my free weekly email newsletter here: https://bit.ly/40TgDkq --- My Season Partners Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/iconicEE23 EIIS Innovation Fund: https://bit.ly/3sxFdLp  ADHD Now: https://bit.ly/49uzd6N

Your mentor today is Rena Maycock, the founder of Cilter. Rena shares with us how she quit a high-paying CEO job to earn her freedom by becoming her own boss. We chat about the pros and cons of starting your own venture and how you know if you are ready to start. --- Join my free weekly email newsletter here: https://bit.ly/40TgDkq --- My Season Partners EIIS Innovation Fund: https://bit.ly/3sxFdLp  Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/iconicEE23 ADHD Now: https://bit.ly/49uzd6N

Join me in a compelling conversation with Sharon Keegan, the unstoppable force behind Peachy Lean. Our chat uncovers the raw truth of navigating the entrepreneurial landscape as a woman, highlighting Sharon's unyielding grit in the face of obstacles. From the overwhelming surge of customer demand to the striking differences in the UK and Irish markets, Sharon's resilience is truly inspirational. Our conversation doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of entrepreneurship. Listen in as we delve into gender dynamics in raising capital, underscored by Sharon's personal journey in a male-dominated industry. We also ponder the biases faced by women from different backgrounds and the pivotal role of female investors on boards. Sharon's experiences and advice are invaluable for aspiring female entrepreneurs looking to make their mark. As we wrap up our thought-provoking dialogue, Sharon and I delve into the historical design bias in products and its impact on women. We also discuss the importance of mental health and the potential of investing in psychedelics. Sharon's personal journey, her fight against societal biases, and her commitment to mental health make this episode a must-listen. Don't miss out on the chance to gain insights from one of the most successful female entrepreneurs of our time. --- Join my free weekly email newsletter here: https://bit.ly/40TgDkq --- My Season Partners Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/iconicEE23 EIIS Innovation Fund: https://bit.ly/3sxFdLp  ADHD Now: https://bit.ly/49uzd6N  Music by Andrew Applepie

Our mentor this week is Matthew Coffey, the co-founder of Squid Loyalty. Matthew shows us how to tackle a massive problem and develop the niche of your business. Squid Loyalty is going after a global problem so in this episode, we break down the logical plan Matthew and his co-founder Katie used to carve out their niche. --- Join my free weekly email newsletter here: https://bit.ly/40TgDkq --- My Season Partners EIIS Innovation Fund: https://bit.ly/3sxFdLp  ADHD Now: https://bit.ly/49uzd6N  Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/iconicEE23 Music by Andrew Applepie

James was just 17 when he hacked the Apple iPod Nano. This act of creativity catapulted him into the world's spotlight. His next massive success was establishing CoderDojo to teach kids about technology & coding. What began as a small group in Cork soon spread all over the globe. James gives us a compelling account of his exceptional journey. We also shed light on the emotional toll of his period, delving into the burnout he experienced, the self-reflection that followed, and the significance of self-care when charting such an ambitious path. We explore the challenges of maintaining authenticity in the face of success, the pitfalls of seeking external validation, and the merits of finding joy in the journey itself instead of the end result. After spending time in the Middle East as CTO of a major tech company, James now splits his time between Japan and Ireland while building Conjure, his latest project.   My Season Partners EIIS Innovation Fund: https://bit.ly/3sxFdLp  ADHD Now: https://bit.ly/49uzd6N  Iconic Offices: https://bit.ly/iconicEE23 Music by Andrew Applepie

Our mentor today is Sonia Deasy, the co-founder of Pestle and Mortar. This is one of our earliest episodes in the podcast, way back in episode 21. Sonia shares with us the level of work that goes into what can seem like an overnight success story of when she appeared on QVC in America. This was a massive tipping point for the brand. They sold out all inventory and it launched the brand into the American market. --- Join my free weekly email newsletter here: https://bit.ly/40TgDkq  --- Visit My Partners for Season 15 Sponsored by Square - Power your Business with Square Visit Square: https://squ.re/3x8oiOo - Location Partner: Iconic Offices - Claim your exclusive pod offer: https://bit.ly/iconicEE23  - Wealth Summit -  Use code fox150 to get special priced ticket: https://bit.ly/3r2yvfJ   Music: Andrew Applepie.