EE501: Mentor Moment: Áine Kerr - You Don’t Have to Choose One Path

In this Mentor Moment, Bobby Kerr - former Dragon and former CEO of Insomnia Coffee - shares the strategic lessons that helped scale Insomnia from a small coffee business into a recognised national brand. Bobby breaks down why underfunding was one of his biggest early mistakes, how letting go of ego helped him choose the right brand name and structure, and why partnerships with companies like Spar, Easons, Penneys, and Meadows & Byrne became key routes to growth. This is a practical lesson in playing the long game, building multiple revenue streams, and making the kind of strategic decisions that give a business more ways to survive and scale. Listen back to the full conversation in Episode 439 of The Entrepreneur Experiment - and subscribe/follow so you don’t miss the next Mentor Moment. *Our Sponsors * Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Follow The Entrepreneur Experiment: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurexperiment/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurexperiment

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary Fox sits down with Conor Moules, founder and CEO of Barespace, the company building a true operating system for hair and beauty salons. Conor’s journey is anything but traditional. He left school at 16 to become a hairdresser, moved to Australia during the recession, found his way into door-to-door sales, then business intelligence, location intelligence, and eventually the Irish startup world through Bamboo. After helping turn Bamboo around during Covid, Conor used that hard-earned reputation to unlock the next chapter: Barespace. What started as a deep understanding of salon life has become a fast-growing software company solving one of the industry’s biggest problems: salon owners are expected to be creative experts, managers, marketers, employers, finance teams and operators - all while still working on the floor. Barespace was built to change that. In this conversation, Conor shares how he and co-founder Glenn Baker profiled 173 salons, raised €750,000 from the very customers they wanted to serve, and went on to raise almost €4.9 million in total. This is a story about resilience, customer obsession, reputation, and what happens when you build with the industry, not just for it. Show Notes In this episode, we cover: 🔥 Why Conor left school at 16 and started out as a hairdresser in Peter Mark 💬 The unexpected lessons hairdressing taught him about listening, trust and human connection 🇦🇺 Moving to Australia during the recession and finding his feet in door-to-door sales 📊 How business intelligence and location data opened his eyes to the power of systems 🚀 The chance meeting with Luke Mackey that brought Conor into Bamboo 🧱 Why rebuilding Bamboo during Covid became the proving ground for Barespace 💡 The problem Conor and Glenn saw inside hair and beauty salons ✂️ Why salon owners are often expected to run the business and be the best person on the floor 🧾 How marketplaces can damage salon margins and weaken customer ownership 🔍 Why they profiled 173 salons before building the product 💰 How Barespace raised €750,000 from salon owners when traditional fundraising wasn’t working 📈 Processing €4.7 million in turnover in year one and growing from there 🧠 Why Conor believes founders need to ask for help earlier 🌙 The role of visualisation, daydreaming and belief in building a company 🔑 Why reputation, patience and obsession can become a founder’s greatest assets Pull Quote “The mission was never to get rich out of Bamboo. It was to unlock the gates to be able to walk in with Barespace.” - Conor Moules Links & Resources Barespace — the operating system for salons and barbers: barespace.io (https://barespace.io/) Enterprise Ireland — mentioned as part of the Barespace funding journey: enterprise-ireland.com (https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/) *Our Sponsors * Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Follow The Entrepreneur Experiment: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurexperiment/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurexperiment

In this Mentor Moment, award-winning journalist and entrepreneur Áine Kerr shares one of the most powerful career lessons you can hear early in life: it doesn’t have to be this or that. From teaching to journalism, startups to global tech platforms, Áine reflects on what she calls a “squiggly career” - and how the threadline only becomes clear when you look back. This conversation is a reminder that curiosity, purpose, and following what genuinely energises you can often lead to a far more meaningful path than trying to force a perfectly linear plan. It’s especially powerful for anyone feeling pressure to “have it all figured out.” Listen back to the full conversation in Episode 438 of The Entrepreneur Experiment - and subscribe/follow so you don’t miss the next Mentor Moment. *Our Sponsors * Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Follow The Entrepreneur Experiment: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurexperiment/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurexperiment

In this milestone Episode 500 of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary Fox turns the microphone on himself for a special AMA, reflecting on the experiments, decisions and hard-earned lessons that shaped the podcast from a side project into one of Ireland’s leading founder platforms. Gary shares how the podcast began in 2019 as a literal experiment while he was running Host Butlers, his Airbnb management business, and how a plan to test multiple businesses turned into something far bigger. From buying and renovating a barge to remove rent pressure, to shutting down his property business, going all in on podcasting, building a team, launching live events and redefining success around body, business, brain and family, this episode is a rare look behind the scenes of the journey. He answers listener questions on the most difficult interviews he’s ever done, the moment the podcast became a business, the biggest belief he’s changed about entrepreneurship, how young founders can earn a seat at the table, why AI won’t replace great human connection, and what the next 500 episodes could look like. If you’re building something of your own, this is a powerful reminder that consistency compounds, clarity often comes through action, and the best experiments can change your entire life. Show Notes In this episode, Gary covers: 🔥 How The Entrepreneur Experiment started as a real experiment in 2019 🚀 Why Gary originally planned to build multiple businesses alongside Host Butlers 🏠 The barge experiment that changed Gary’s personal and business life 🎙️ The moment podcasting shifted from side project to serious business 💡 Why consistency may be the biggest lesson from 500 episodes 📈 The danger of building a business at the expense of your health, family and relationships 🧠 Why founders need to think in decades, not weeks 🪑 How first-time founders can earn a seat at the table 🤖 Gary’s take on AI, coaching, mentorship and the future of wellness 🌍 The vision for the next stage of The Entrepreneur Experiment: global guests, live events, personal experiments and founder performance 💬 Why success now means building an exceptional business and an exceptional life Links & Resources - Subscribe to Gary’s newsletter for upcoming retreats, live events and behind-the-scenes updates: https://www.mrgaryfox.com/subscribe-1 - Follow Gary on Instagram for more stories from the barge experiment and the podcast journey: https://www.instagram.com/mrgaryfox/ - Follow The Entrepreneur Experiment: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurexperiment/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurexperiment - Check out The Wellness Script, launched by Lauren as part of the wider EE media ecosystem: https://wellnessscriptpod.com/ *Our Sponsors * Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26

In this Mentor Moment, Fran Quilty, founder of Conjura, breaks down one of the biggest shifts happening in business right now: the move from AI answering questions… to AI actually taking action. Fran explains “agentic AI” in a way that finally makes sense — from AI identifying risks in your business, to making pricing decisions, changing campaigns, and automating workflows across platforms without constant human input. But beyond the tech, this conversation is really about removing friction, making better decisions faster, and understanding where modern businesses are heading next. If AI still feels abstract or overhyped to you, this is the episode that makes it practical. Listen back to the full conversation in Episode 437 of The Entrepreneur Experiment — and subscribe/follow so you don’t miss the next episode. *Our Sponsors * Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Follow The Entrepreneur Experiment: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurexperiment/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurexperiment

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary Fox sits down with Brian Lee, the entrepreneur behind Freshly Chopped and founder of TRYKA, Ireland’s inclusive hybrid fitness race league. After building one of Ireland’s most recognisable healthy food brands, Brian has turned his attention to the booming world of fitness racing — but with a very different philosophy. TRYKA is not built only for elite athletes or podium chasers. It is designed for the everyday person, the local gym community, the company team, the first-timer, and the person looking for a reason to show up, train, and feel part of something bigger. Brian shares how the idea for TRYKA came from his own experience in the hybrid fitness space, why he saw an opportunity to serve the “other 80%,” and how he went from concept to major venues in just six months. He explains the thinking behind TRYKA’s free affiliate model, gym and company leaderboards, community-first culture, and plans to expand into London, Lisbon and beyond. This is a conversation about self-belief, brand building, operational detail, culture, wellness, failure, and the kind of ambition Irish founders need more of. If you’re building a business, launching a community, or trying to turn a personal passion into something global, this episode is for you. Show Notes In this episode, we cover: 🔥 Why Brian Lee launched TRYKA after Freshly Chopped 🏋️ How TRYKA is building fitness events for the everyday person 🚀 Going from idea to major venue in just 6 months 💡 Why Brian believes TRYKA serves “the other 80%” 🤝 Building with gyms and communities, not competing against them 📈 How TRYKA reached almost 10,000 athletes in its first 7 months 🌍 Expanding from Ireland into London, Lisbon and beyond 🎮 The role of gamification, leaderboards and company leagues 🧠 Hiring people based on energy, trust and ownership 👨‍👩‍👧 Why TRYKA Junior is part of Brian’s bigger mission to inspire healthier families 💬 “If you can’t back yourself, how can anybody else back you?” — Brian Lee Links & Resources TRYKA: https://tryka.fit/ TRYKA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tryka.fit/ Brian Lee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianbrucelee/ Brian Lee LinkedIn: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/brian-lee-75927260 *Our Sponsors * Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Follow The Entrepreneur Experiment: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurexperiment/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurexperiment

In this Mentor Moment, Ciara Troy, founder of Oishii Sushi, shares a simple founder advantage that most people avoid: getting closer to the customer voice, not further away from it. Instead of over-engineering a five-year plan, Ciara focused on relentless iteration - testing, listening, refining, and letting real demand guide the next move. It’s a practical reminder that traction often comes from doing the unglamorous work: showing up consistently, making small improvements, and acting fast on feedback - even when you’re tired, the weather’s against you, and the path isn’t clear yet. Listen back to the full conversation in Episode 450 of The Entrepreneur Experiment - and subscribe/follow so you don’t miss the next Mentor Moment. *Our Sponsors * Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Follow The Entrepreneur Experiment: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurexperiment/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurexperiment

What does it take to make a plan at 16 - and still be executing on it at 32? Ashley McDonnell saw a Christian Dior exhibition in London as a teenager and decided she was going to work for Dior. She didn't know French. She'd never lived abroad. She had no connections in luxury. Six years later, she was walking into LVMH headquarters on Avenue Montaigne in Paris. Now she's back building in Ireland — founding Ireland Fashion Week, launching Vyko (Ireland's first luxury brand group), and building the kind of long game most founders don't have the patience for. In this episode she pulls back the curtain on how the luxury industry actually works, the psychology behind why people buy luxury, why China is the most important luxury market in the world, and the one piece of advice — focus — that changed everything. SHOW NOTES In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary sits down with Ashley McDonnell — founder of Ireland Fashion Week, Vyko Group and the Tech Powered Luxury podcast. Ashley spent over a decade working across LVMH, Christian Dior and Puig, one of Europe's biggest luxury groups, before coming home to build something entirely new. What you'll learn: How Ashley reverse-engineered her way from Galway to Christian Dior at 22 — by mapping the exact path the executives above her had taken Why the luxury industry is built on groups and conglomerates — and what that means for Irish brands trying to scale The psychology of luxury buying — from unlimited budget shoppers to the strategic Chinese traveller saving 20% per handbag Why 90% of luxury sales were offline pre-Covid but almost 100% were digitally influenced What Vyko is — and why Ashley is building Ireland's first startup luxury group from scratch The one-note iPhone system she uses to track every single day of the year across Paris and Dublin Why focus (not ideas) was the advice that changed everything Connect with Ashley: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ash.mcdonnell/ Vyko Group: https://www.instagram.com/vykogroup/ Ireland Fashion Week: https://www.instagram.com/irelandfashionweek/ Podcast: Tech Powered Luxury: https://www.instagram.com/techpoweredluxury/ *Our Sponsors * Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Follow The Entrepreneur Experiment: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurexperiment/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurexperiment

In this Mentor Moment, Paul Buckley shares the messy, real start of what became a serious founder journey - not from a polished “masterplan,” but from a place of pressure, responsibility, and learning fast. Paul is the entrepreneur behind EPS Group Australia (which he built and exited) and now C2O Group, and he’s a great example of how leadership is often forged in the moments you didn’t choose: when the plan changes, money gets tight, and you still have to figure it out. The lesson here is about adapting at speed, stepping up before you feel ready, and how momentum is created when you stop waiting for perfect conditions and start operating like the person who can handle bigger responsibility. If you’re building something — or trying to level up how you lead — this one will land. Listen back to the full conversation in Episode 444 of The Entrepreneur Experiment — and subscribe/follow so you don’t miss next week’s Mentor Moment. *Our Sponsors * Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Follow The Entrepreneur Experiment: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurexperiment/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurexperiment

What if the reason your business isn't scaling is that you're aiming 10% higher when you should be aiming 10x? Sean Mullaney has been a founder three times, led engineering at Google X's moonshot factory, scaled Zalando from €1bn to €10bn, and is now building Seapoint - the business bank designed from the ground up for founders. In this episode, he unpacks the systems, mindsets, and decisions behind 25 years in tech, and why he believes we're living through the most exciting moment in business history. You'll learn how to spot a real technology shift vs. a fad, why "thinking in systems" is the single biggest unlock for any founder, how to give and receive the kind of brutal feedback that actually grows people, and why AI is the most optimistic story in tech right now — not the scariest. Whether you're pre-seed or scaling past your first million, this one's packed with frameworks you can use on Monday morning. SHOW NOTES: What you'll learn: Why aiming for 10x better is often easier than 10% better (the Google X philosophy) How to tell a genuine technology shift from a passing fad The "thinking in systems" framework Sean uses to run every part of Seapoint Why most business banks are built for bankers, not founders — and what Seapoint is doing differently How to give and receive brutally honest feedback (and why it's the greatest gift you can get) Sean's contrarian, optimistic take on AI and what it means for founders, workers, and society Why he'd back a 17-to-20-year-old founder over almost anyone else Key moments: Sean's first startup: web-to-SMS restaurant bookings built in a dorm room Lessons from the dot-com boom and how it mirrors today's AI wave Inside Google X: how moonshot thinking actually works in practice Scaling Zalando from €1bn to €10bn — the systems that made it possible Why Sean started Seapoint and what makes it different from every other business bank The books, advice, and mindsets that shaped his journey Recommended book: Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows Connect with Sean: Website: https://www.seapoint.co/ LinkedIn: Sean Mullaney (DMs open - make it interesting!): https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmullaney/ *Our Sponsors * Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Follow The Entrepreneur Experiment: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurexperiment/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurexperiment