SharkPod Podcast

What is up SharkNation! Luke and Mark are back after an 18 month hiatus and this time they are coming at you Live from the Las Vegas Strip. Luke surprised Mark with a trip to see U2 @Sphere in Las Vegas and they guys recorded their thoughts on Vegas, the American Dream, and all things U2. All with a selection U2 backing tracks.   Brought you you by Artists Against Apartheid .     For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! On this episode Luke and Mark chat to Founder of "6 Figure Accelerator Program" and Co-Founder of Engagency, Adam Walsh.  Adam has a mission - he wants to help students & 9-5ers create a second income stream through their own semi-automated social media marketing agency" He has been a digital Nomad for the past few years - spending most of his time in Bulgaria and Spain and visiting is home in Irelands a few times a year.  The guys cover: 1. How Adam got started in selling on the internet - how he's never had a 'job' and how has always made his own way. 2. How Adam stated out building and marketing twitter pages (building an audience of 3 million+ followers).  3. How he started and grew his own Marketing agency - and how he chose automation over growth - now working 2.5 hours per week on the 6 figure business.  4. Why he started mentoring/coaching others via his 6 Figure Accelerator Program. 5. Taxes and why he chooses to live in Bulgaria  6. How Adam sees the 'social media funnel' and how to capitalise on different platforms audiences.   For more info on Adam: https://www.the6figureaccelerator.com/join-program-now For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! Emmet is co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of MyWallStreet, a Dublin based, leading investment education and execution app (4,000,000 downloads). Luke and Mark talk to Emmet about how he got started - his love for teaching and what it takes to build an app that will impact a billion people (even if he runs out of heart beats before that happens).  Before you go on with the episode we wanted to point you to a great offer Emmet is giving our listeners - Emmet has launched the 'Horizon' project where he shows members what is in his personal portfolio as well as member only pitches on stocks he believes will beat the market.  'This Thursday, I will pitch one of the most certain potential long-term winners I've seen. This company is founder-led, unheard of by 99.9% of people, covered by only a handful of Wall Street analysts, is capital-efficient, pumps out cash and has an almost unmatched formula for growth.  I'm looking forward to pitching it most especially because I'm looking forward to owning it. '" Emmet is offering listeners 35% off the regular price this week.  Details here (https://web.mywallst.com/horizon/horizon-summer-sale-2022-250-off?_cio_id=aeba0601ce30ff9a02&utm_campaign=horizon-25%25-sale---go-live-email&utm_content=horizon-25%25-sale---go-live-email-v2&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cio).  Luke and Mark are not affiliates here but believe it is an interesting thing to check out if you are serious about investing.    For feedback: Luke@Shark.ie  

What is up SharkNation!   This is a follow up episode on episode #107 on "Becoming a key person of influence" launched in March 2022.    Orla has helped people self publish books in 30+ genres and is now focused on helping people self-publish business books in their area of expertise.   See a cool testimonial here: https://youtu.be/CxX37QcP2Y4   Key takeaways:    1. Publishing a book gives you legitimacy in your industry.    2. You can "skip the queue" these days and self publish.   3. People throw away business cards - it's harder to throw away books.    4. For a book to be successful, there must be real value being delivered. Luckily, you are likely sitting on a wealth of information and experience that people would pay for.     For more information on how Orla can help you publish: https://orlakellypublishing.com/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie    

What is up SharkNation!    Want to be excited about the work you do? Want to have a job with unlimited upside? Tired of having a fixed income career?   Luke is launching a course on how to break into tech sales and earn your first €100,000   Luke pitches the idea to mark for the first time...   To get invited to the beta - reach-out to Luke@shark.ie     

What is up SharkNation! In this episode Luke and Mark breakdown Daniel Priestley's book "Key Person of Influence". Mark's rating 8/10 fins. Luke's rating 9/10 fins. On this episode you'll learn how to become a valuable thought leader in your industry - how to become the go to person and a sought after expert in your filed. You'll learn the steps in becoming a KPI: 1. The pitch: Who are you and what do you do? 2. Publish: You need to to publish for people to see you as a credible person in the industry - the book tells you how. 3. Product: What you know is valuable - make a product that ideally provides value and if it makes money for the buyer - even better. 4. Profile: How to own what people see when they Google you. 5. Partnerships: How to leverage your position in your industry to maximise your income. Luke also talks about a new product he's launching aimed at people trying to break into tech sales.  For feedback: Luke@ Shark.ie

What is Up SharkNation!  On this episode the guys chatted to Co-Founder of Pitchedit - Rob Halligan.  PitchedIt provide tech founders with a platform to validate ideas, raise capital and connect with service providers who can help execute their vision, so they can launch better products, faster. Rob left his job in SFDC to concentrate on the business full time just one month ago. On the SharkPod we love chatting to entrepreneurs who have just taken the leap - we hope to have a followup episode in a few years to see how Rob's getting on.  Key Takeaways:  1. Go all in: A wise man once said that no man can serve two masters. In order for people to invest in your idea - you have to be all in.  2. Scratch the itch: If you are working for a large company with a great salary and perks it can be easy to deny the urge to strike out on your own... for a while... in the end you're likely to do it anyway so why not now? As Mark Baker always says..."Nature vs Nurture... Nature always wins....". Make your plans - build out a worst case scenario 'come back plan' if the business fails and just f'ing do it! 3. Don't be afraid of complexity: Rob has a job on his hands... anything that has money involved will have regulations... Anything you build where a thriving community is key it will be difficult to build - but these difficulties build moats around your business - creating real barriers to entry for would be competitors.  For more information on PitchedIt: https://pitchedit.co/ For feedback: Luke@Shark.ie

What is up SharkNation!    This is a special cross over episode from the DubSpot Partner Podcast with special guest Nathan Paris - founder of On the Fuze - a company providing white labelling services for HubSpot marketing agencies so they can focus on winning business rather than hiring and scaling for their team.  Nathan is based in Brisbane Australia, but serves clients all over the world.  Key takeaways:  1. For international businesses - time zones matter. Nathan is based in Australia - not a great location to do business with the US - his primary market. So Nathan has hired most of his staff in Medellin, Colombia, in order the serve his customer base in the states more effectively  2. Do what you are good at - outsource the rest. If you are great at selling and finding deals but have no skill in execution - pay an expert to deliver for you. 3. The world is wide open - hire people in less expensive economies so that you can provide more value to your customers. Nathan built most of his team in South America - not just because of the time zone, but also because he could find better value talent on that continent when compared to Australia. For more information: https://www.onthefuze.com.au/about-us?hsLang=en-au For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! On this episode Luke and Mark chat to to Lisa O'Reilly - Founder of LOR Property Solutions - about the great opportunities we all have to invest in property in Ireland. We discuss how Lisa transitioned from a Financial Controller working in the corporate world to launching her own business.  She now builds property deals for investors to invest into and has raised more than 1 million euro in funding so far.  Key Takeaways: 1. It's never ever too late to pivot - if you think you are doomed to climb the corporate ladder - think again. Lisa gave up a high level corporate job to chase her passion. 2. Ireland is the land of opportunity when it comes to property investing. You can generate yields like no where else in Europe. 3. Find mentors: Lisa mentioned she travels twice a month to the UK to work with her mentors there. She tells us about how powerful this has been for her journey so far.  4. Start with your own money and build from there. When you have a track record of success with a couple of deals - the market will want to invest in you. For more info on Lisa: https://lorpropertysolutions.ie/ For feedback:  Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! Luke and Mark are back and they are breaking down the popular book from controversial Canadian clinical psychologist, psychology professor, and author - Jordan Peterson - "12 Rules for Life".  Luke and Mark go through each rule laid out in the book and give their take. Key takeaways:     1. Act like a person who is responsible for helping you. Take responsibility for ensuring your own well being.     2.Ensure that your children will be liked by society - don't let them do things that make you dislike them.     3.Don't do what you hate.      4.Make sure that your own house is in order before you criticise others.      5.Present yourself to the world with confidence. Stand tall with your shoulders back. Always interested to hear your thoughts. Have you read the book? What did you think of it?  For feedback: Luke@Shark.ie

What is up SharkNation!   After a short hiatus Luke and Mark are back. On this episode Luke and Mark talk about their shared love of Irish band - U2. Listeners had emailed asking us why Mark's art (markbakerart.com) has been so heavily influenced by U2.  The guys discuss their favourite albums, songs, performances and rants. And why they think the young people are missing out by not getting into the U2 back catalog. A lighter topic than usual but with some live music clips and a fly on the wall experience for the listener.   For feed back : Luke@Shark.ie

What is up SharkNation!   On this episode Luke and Mark break down 2021 and chat about their biggest wins and losses as well as lessons learned along the way.   Key Takeaways: 1. Hindsight is 20-20: The guys reflect on their biggest wins of the year and some of the best decisions they made. At the time it's hard to see how small decisions will impact you.    2. Be careful how you spend your time - get an ROI: Luke discusses spending a couple of months during the year trading forex. He made money but the income vs time invested didn't make sense and the stress it caused was not worth the small profit.   3. There is no room for pessimism if you want to make money. Optimists are the ones who capitalise on opportunities.    For Feedback: Luke@shark.ie    

What is up SharkNation! In this episode Luke is starting to worry about his weight gain and sets up a 10 week challenge to get back to his sub 100kg - optimal weight. Final weigh in will be 7th March 2022.  Luke and Mark chat about the plan, the tools, and the method Luke has used in the past to achieve a 10kg weight loss in under 10 weeks.  The goal is to achieve body fat reduction and even if Luke doesn't get down to under 100kg - a reduction from 19.9% BF to under 17% will be considered a win.  You can follow Luke's Progress on the Shark.ie website under the blog section. Where Luke will share all his starting stats, graphs and before and after photos. Luke will also share the training plan if you would like to follow along. For feedback or to send encouragement: Luke@shark.ie Full plan for the challenge on our blog: https://www.shark.ie/post/how-to-lose-a-gut-in-10-weeks

What is up SharkNation! We made it to 100 episodes! Thanks to all our listeners and guests over the past 2 years, it's been a great experience and we hope to continue to deliver content that helps our audience to "Keep Moving Forward". On this special episode Luke and Mark sit down with Mark's business partner - Niall O'Kelly,Partner in Darwin Hawkins.  Mark and Niall started their finance recruitment business, Darwin Hawkins, just over 3 years ago and have built what they believe to be a lasting brand in the space. Niall, like Mark, is a qualified chartered accountant (training in PwC) and it was Niall that first suggested recruitment as a career path for Mark.  Key takeaways: 1. Entering a tried and tested industry, but do it your way, and do it well. This is perhaps a lesson that is lost on the millennial generation that look up to the Zucks and the Bezos' of the world and think they have to re-invent the wheel to be a success in business. The majority of successful businesses are built on the back of real life experience in an established industry. Niall and Mark learned the business by working at successful recruitment firm, this helped give them the know how and the network to go out on their own.  2. There is no perfect time to launch your business: Niall and Mark have weathered the initial covid storm and continue to grow the business. Timing is important but action trumps timing. Waiting around for perfect conditions is not the way to move forward.  3. Burn the boats - go all in: Lots of people start businesses as side hustles with the safety net of a corporate job - Niall and Mark went all in, leaving their secure jobs behind and grinding out the first 6 months in the face of adversity. With no way back - no boats to flee upon they were forced to build a lasting business that is now growing rapidly.  For more information on Niall: https://www.darwinhawkins.com/about/meet-the-team/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie.

What is up SharkNation! On this episode Luke and Mark chat to Ruaidhri (Rory) Prendergast, Entrepreneur, Coach, and Author - The Game Changer Formula.  The book is not just a look back on Ruaidhri's entrepreneurial journey, but also his experience sailing across olthe Atlantic Ocean and developing an "Operating System" for living a full and effective life.  Key takeaways from the Game Changer Formula: 1. The Power Vision: In order to build a map to where you are going in life, you need to have a clear picture about what you want.  2. Priming yourself for success: The book describes, in detail, how to build a 'mindset manual' that allows you to set intentional focus for the day.  3. Decide on the vision, then back engineer the actions: If you have a clear vision 15 years from now, all you need to do is back engineer the actions to take every 5 years, every year, every month, every week, every day, and you should be able to achieve your goals. 4. Accountability is key: The book describes the power of accountability and how you should leverage this to achieve your vision for your life. If you'd like to learn more about Ruaidhri and take advantage of the free training he provides businesses owners and startup founders, you can learn more here: https://roryprendergast.com/learning/. For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! Today on the podcast Luke and Mark chat to Paddy Finn, CEO - VIOTAS.  VIOTAS was born from a desire and drive to lead the development of smart grid technology and accelerate the use of renewable energy worldwide. In order for green energy (like wind or solar) to work effectively, there must be a system in place to manage down time and ensure balanced output of energy to the masses. VIOTAS solves for this and also allows their customers to earn income in the process. Key takeaways:  1. Starting a company in a competitive landscape is fine as long as you offer a better service. Paddy mentioned there were perhaps 10 competitors already in Ireland when they started the company. 2. It's a big world out there. You should think about how your product or service can serve customers in different territories.  3. Passion is key to enjoying your work. Paddy talks about the staff at the company feeling like they are solving a problem worth solving, this helps drive them forward during tough times. 4. Relationships are as important as good ideas. Paddy talks about the close ties the firm has with regulators and other state bodies, this helps allow the company to evolve in lock step with the government regulations.  For more information on VIOTAS: https://viotas.com/about-us/  For feedback contact Luke@shark.ie

What is Up SharkNation!    In this episode Luke and Mark break down the Ryan Holiday best seller - The Obstacle is the Way. 'The Obstacle is the Way' is a book about being ruthlessly optimistic and rational in life. We tend to get easily dejected, disappointed, and frustrated by our failures and eventually give up too easily. The author argues that with a simple change in our perspective and attitude, what seems like challenging obstacles to become once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The book is build on the concepts of stoicism but uses modern examples to illustrate points to the reader.    Key takeaways:   1. The book gives the reader a good grounding in stoicism and allows the reader to reflect on how this philosophy can help them navigate life.   2. Perception is key. How you see obstacles will determine the action you take. Lost your job? How can you see this as an opportunity?   3. Action is Key. You must continue on the path no matter the challenges in your way. It's the staying power that produces the most impressive results in life. You must not get rattled, angry, or upset by setbacks.    4. Amor fati. Love everything that happens to you and meditate on your own mortality. By accepting what is, and putting events into the context of your own mortality you will be able to be proactive rather than reactive.   Luke and Mark give the book an 8/10   For feedback: Luke@Shark.ie    

What is up SharkNation! On this episode, Luke and Mark go deep on the business of YouTube with veteran Irish Youtuber and Entrepreneur, Paddy Galloway. Paddy has built a business around not only growing his own YouTube channels, but also consulting for some of the world's biggest YouTubers like Mr. Beast.  Paddy shares the basics of the Youtube business and explains why some people succeed but also why most people fail to capture an audience and grow a business on YouTube. Key takeaways:  1. Start now - Paddy explains how it could take up to 3 years to figure out your approach to building a YouTube audience 2. You can learn and improve - Paddy helps some of the biggest YouTubers in the world grow their views by the millions. If those experts have something to learn - so do you. 3. Skip getting a 'real job' after collage to satisfy other people. If you have a passion and think you can make a living in it, then go for it.  4. Guarantee results, if you can: Almost no business will commit to giving you an ROI. If you're like Paddy and can deliver value - commit to it and stand out from the crowd.  For more on paddy: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClga3ybuyyjpvqsh-cf3DvQ. For feedback: Luke@Shark.ie

What is Up SharkNation! In this episode Luke and Mark chat with Ireland's Premier Caricaturist - Niall O'Loughlin (caricatures.ie). Widely regarded as one of the ‘best in the business' and the most well-known caricaturist in Ireland, Niall enjoys sell-out exhibitions and has appeared on numerous Radio and TV shows including the Saturday night and Late Late show and completed commissions for many well known celebrities from both Ireland and abroad. Mark has known Niall for many years and Niall was a mentor for Mark when Mark was breaking into the art business. They have stayed in touch, had numerous joint exhibitions, and in this episode Luke and Mark talk to Niall about his career path and building a successful art business in Ireland. Key takeaways:  1. Improve constantly: Niall mentions repeatedly during the podcast that constant improvement is the best way to stay relevant and growing as an artist and as business person. Warning... Mark and Niall get quite technical!  2. You'll have to take risks: Niall talks about leaving a steady job to pursue being an Artist full time. Through trial and error he developed a niche in weddings services and this is still the foundation of Niall's business today. 3. Talent is not enough - you need exposure: The Late Late Show is the biggest talk show on Irish TV - after Niall was featured here his business took off. You need to get seen and come up with creative ways to reach new audiences.  4. Know what pays the bills: Niall enjoys all different kinds of painting but he focuses on caricatures as the core part of his business.  For more info on Niall: caricatures.ie For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! Today on the SharkPod Luke and Mark chat to Alan Coleman - Founder and CEO of Wolfgang Digital.  In 2007,  Alan fell in love with AdWords and applied for a job in Google. He believed then, as he does now, that Google was the best marketing opportunity the world had ever seen. So, when he didn't get the job, he decided “fekkit I'm going to do this for myself”, and he started digital marketing agency Wolfgang Digital on his kitchen table. Fast forward to 2021 and: - Wolfgang has been awarded status as Google's No 1 Search Partner and No 1 Shopping Partner in EMEA. - Wolfgang has won Best Large Integrated Agency in Europe, twice. - Wolfgang has won Best SEO Agency in the World!  Key Takeaways: 1. You gotta hustle: The agency lives off its reputation today but in the beginning cold outreach was the only method to get the first customers in the door.  2. Legitimacy matters - Alan mentions the business took off once they had a real office address included on their website.  3. Sell ROI: If you can make money for your customers - and prove it - you'll be fine. Focus on this ability first.     4. Look after yourself: Alan moved to a 4 day week to help him enjoy life more and give himself time to explore other interests. One of these became the Wolfgang Reforest Mission - to restore Ireland's devestated natural forestry... And reintroduce Wolves to Ireland!  For more info on Wolfgang: https://www.wolfgangdigital.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwzt6LBhBeEiwAbPGOgTcM2ga-5bYd0tl12cW26x3hhOlgPbBf0-7y5hKPKi4L0fxfDgOLzxoCB8gQAvD_BwE For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is SharkNation! This episode is from a recording of Luke's other podcast " The DubSpot Partner Podcast" where he interviews HubSpot Partners all over Europe.  HubSpot is a Customer Relationship Management software.   Luke and Mark were both on this recording and we thought it would be a great fit for the SharkPod listeners as it covers the start up journey as well as how to achieve scale with your business.  Rich is the founder and MD of Six & Flow a Marketing and Technology agency based in the UK.  Six & Flow have grown to be one of the most important partners HubSpot has in the region and has grown rapidly since the company started in 2016. Key takeaways: 1. Work with scaling partners: Rich talks about deciding to become a HubSpot early on, the company's skills, plus the opportunities created around HubSpot helped S&F grow quickly. 2. Don't be afraid to adapt and grow. As the HubSpot platform evolved, S&F had to evolve their skillset in order to deliver on more technical projects for customers. 3. Be authentic: People can tell if you're not being yourself in your communication. Stand out on social by showing off your real personality and build that into your companies brand.  4. Always look for an alternative choice in business if you're not happy with your options: Rich talks about the usual two paths for businesses that have reached the scale of S&F, acquiring a smaller shop or selling the business a bigger player. Rich thought outside the box and has set up an international alliance with other Elite HubSpot partners to help to scale the business. For more information on Six & Flow: https://www.sixandflow.com/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation!  On this episode, Luke and Mark dig into Frederick Niche's philosophy on becoming the Übermensch. Niche's practical approach to self improvement should be interesting to any listerer who is striving to be the best version of themselves.  Luke and Mark cover the three metamorphoses described by Niche in his book Thus spoke Zarathustra.  Metamorphosis 1: The Camal. The Camel does what society expects and plays by the rules. He does well but becomes resentful over time.  Metamorphosis 2: The Lion. The Lion rejects cultural norms and rebels against values that society tries to force on him.  Metamorphosis 3:The Child. The Child represents pure creation and freedom. The last step on the way to being superman.  For Feedback: Luke@shark.ie 

What is Up SharkNation!   On this episode Luke and Mark sit down with Artist (and NFT advocate), Niamh Aughney.  What is an NFT?  Simply put "A non-fungible token (NFT) is a unique digital asset that represents ownership of real-world items like art, video clips, music, and more".  Niamh breaks down the NFT world for Luke and Mark describing her journey and the future of art sales.  Key takeaways: 1. It pays to be an early adopter. Bitcoin is currently up 56k% since inception about 10 years ago. NFTs have the power to create new ways of doing business and it's important to understand the latest trends so you can exploit them.  2. It's easy to get started (https://101blockchains.com/nft-minting/) 3. In 2021 and beyond, international exposure is key. NFTs allow you to sell internationally without the hassle of shipping stock. 4. Being left behind is a real risk. If you are relying on the old ways of selling, while living in the the digital world, it will be hard for you to keep up.   For more information on Niamh: https://niamhaughney.com/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie          

What is up SharkNation! On this episode Luke and Mark catchup with the Samantha Kelly, Social Media Strategist, International Speaker, Author and Trainer, AKA the "Tweeting Goddess". Samantha is also the founder of Women's Inspire Network (a global network for female entrepreneurs). Samantha is also a Tedx and public speaker and has been building her online presence since she launched her first business -"Funky Goddess" (a gift box company aimed at teenaged girls).  Key Takeaways: 1. Be a content producer rather than a consumer. We live in the new age of communication. It will be those who communicate in the most effective way, to the most amount of people who will win. Make sure you are building your presence and exposing your business on social channels. 2. Social media is a game that can be learned. Samantha's company teaches individuals and companies to be successful on social. There is no excuse for unengaging content. 3. Thinking global is key to success. We have so much reach because of the internet. Exposing yourself and your business to the wider world should be a priority. 4. Start today. People are hungry for relevant, engaging content. Look at what your competitors are doing and try to build a presence that better engages with your target audience.  For more information on the Tweeting Goddess: https://www.tweetinggoddess.com/about For feedback: Luke@Shark.ie

What is Up SharkNation!  On this episode Luke and Mark chat to the 3 guys behind Receipt Relay - a tech startup based out of Galway Ireland.  Receipt Relay is a mobile app developed by three forward thinking young entrepreneurs. Each of them saw the limitations of paper-based receipts in the current world and wanted to build something to solve for the wasteful production of paper based receipts at the EPOS station.  Joe Hennigan - Co-Founder and CMO, Seán Finnegan - Co-Founder and CEO and Luke Slemon - CTO have been working on the launch of the App since 2019 and have already seen traction with some of the biggest EPOS suppliers around. Key Takeaways: 1. You have more time than you think. Two of the guys are still in college and still find time to build this business. 2. Zoom out: What could you do with your business if you thought in 20 year terms? 3. If you can make money and help the environment everyone wins. 4. People won't care if you try and fail: Especially if you're young, you'll have time to dust yourself off and try again so you might as well give it a go before you have more responsibilities.  For more info on Receipt Relay: https://www.receiptrelay.com/about For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is Up SharkNation! On this episode, Luke and Mark sit down with Viki Baird and Pat O'Brien of Stillgarden Distillery. Stillgarden is an independent distillery in the heart of Inchicore, Dublin 8 bringing the spirit of prosocial disruption to the world through science, community & nature. They have also put together an in-person experience for those wanting to get a better understanding of how their spirits are made.  Key takeaways: 1. It's never too late to change: Pat tells us that he started of his working life as a builder but has found his passion in crafting and distilling spirits that his customers love. 2. Be flexible: The lauch of the business coincided with the most serious pandemic in 100 years. They had to pivot to an ecomm first business and learn to fulfil orders for customers online. 3. People want to buy from a brand they connect with. It's up to you to cultivate that feeling. In the case of Stillgarden, you can go visit them in person, see the impact they are making on the community and test the product where it's made. 4. Packaging in any industry is important but in the drinks industry it's vital to get right. Stillgarden uses the fractal of the chemical make up of the liquid inside the bottle as the label as an homage to their dedication to applying science to spirit creation!  For more info on Stillgarden see: https://stillgardendistillery.com/about-us/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! On this episode Luke and Mark chat to marketing veteran and podcaster, Greg Canty - Managing Partner with Fuzion Communications, Producer of Win Happy Podcast.  Greg joined Fuzion in 2003, bringing a strong commercial aspect to the business. He is a qualified accountant who held senior roles within the drinks industry for Heineken and Guinness including posts as General Manager. Greg also had a chain of music stores in a number of locations around Ireland. Greg works with clients on their Communications Strategies and he develops digital marketing strategies and implementation plans for clients and supports these with the Fuzion digital marketing team. He also provides social media consultancy and support to the Crisis PR team. Greg is a social media enthusiast, an avid writer and social commentator and is considered to be one of the leading B2B bloggers in Ireland. His regular B2B blog and the Fuzion blog, which he manages, have attracted a large following with many of the submissions featuring in national publications. Greg produces the Win Happy podcast as well as podcasts for a number of clients.. In conjunction with the Fuzion design team, Greg developed the globally successful anti-cyberbullying infographic ‘Safebook', which led to a Chambers Ireland national CSR award. Greg's marketing and PR agency has been around for 20 years and on this podcast he provides deep insight into the world of communications as well as the story of how a qualified accountant got into the marketing business. Key takeaways: 1. Where you start doesn't have to dictate where you end up. If you start out as an accountant, don't feel like you have to follow that path forever. 2. Career variety makes for a good story. Greg has worked in lots of different fields from the music business to drinks distribution.  3. Ad clicks matter in marketing, but so do soft communications. In a world where anyone can have a blog, an article in the newspaper might be even more powerful than PPC, but harder to measure. 4. Embrace change. Greg has seen the value of new technology emerging in the marketing scene and has started his own podcast (Win Happy) to share his thoughts on business and life. For more information you can see: fuzion.ie or get in touch with Greg here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcantyfuzionpr/?originalSubdomain=ie Also if you would like to listen to more of greg you can get his podcast "Win Happy" here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/26Xytze8H9hNN4WegpmRxg For feedback: Luke@shark.ie  

What is up SharkNation! On this episode Luke and Mark sit down to chat to Co-Founder/CEO of Noa - Gareth Hickey. Noa (News Over Audio) is an application that allows users to access audio versions of some of the best news articles from the most respected sources in the world including the FT, the Economist and the Harvard Business Review.  Gareth started the business after working in equity research and being frustrated with the lack of quality, digestible insights available from mainstream media sources. With Noa - patrons get the very best articles from the most respected publishers for a fraction of the price of subscribing to all the individual news outlets. Key takeaways: 1. Pick a big market - Luke and Mark discuss TAM (total addressable market) for the Noa app and the possibilities are endless. 2. Business development for the win: Partnerships allow you to leverage other business's customers and can be an engine for growth - Gareth discusses how partnerships with airports could be a great way for them to grow the business. 3. Track the metrics that matter: there is little point in growing your userbase if the cost of acquisition is more that the LTV (lifetime value of a customer). 4. If you want to work with big companies - patience is key. Account based selling takes time - even if you have a great value proposition - the big players will move slower than you think they should. For more information on Noa: newsoveraudio.com For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! On this episode, Luke and Mark chat to film maker and co-founder of Cartoon Saloon -Tomm Moore.  Kilkenny-based Cartoon Saloon is a five-time Academy Award®, Golden Globe®, BAFTA and Emmy nominated animation studio formed by Paul Young, Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey. From award-winning shorts to feature films and TV series, Cartoon Saloon has carved a special place in the international Animation industry. The studio is best known for its animated feature films The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, The Breadwinner and Wolfwalkers.  Tomm describes how he got involved with animation and how the company has grown over the last 22 years, employing hundreds of staff locally.  Key Takeaways:    1. In the age of the internet, you can build a business anywhere. Kilkenny - a small city in the middle of Ireland can be the base for a business that conquers an industry. You don't have to go to London or NYC anymore. 2. Don't expect overnight success - sometimes it's time in the game that pays off. Be patient and make great work - the rest should fall in to place over time. 3. If you have an artistic child - encourage them as much as possible -  they could grow up to be an Academy Award nominee, like Tomm. 4. Focus on your strengths and hire for gaps. Tomm mentioned that they have brought in a very experienced MD to help maintain and grow the business, so the creators can get on with creating.  5. If you're passionate about something, it is possible to build a business and life around that. You don't have to settle for a career you don't like just because it pays well. For more information on Tomm and Cartoon Saloon: https://www.cartoonsaloon.ie/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! On this Episode Luke and Mark chat to Gary Grimes about his business (Simplí Business Finance) and how SMEs should think about raising non-bank finance in Ireland.  Founded by Gary Grimes in 2020, originally the company's name was GDG Business Finance but just this month have rebranded/renamed to Simplí Business Finance. They are an SME Finance consultancy firm, who specialises in building tailored funding solutions for Irish companies depending on their financial need. Simplí is one of Irelands fastest growing business finance intermediaries and also and an award-winning business having picked up “ Best SME Finance Consultancy Company 2021” at the Irish Enterprise Awards hosted by EU Business News. Gary who leads the team in Simplí had over 15 years of experience in the finance industry and has worked with countless numbers of SMEs in all sectors raising finance. Gary is part of a prestigious group of individuals who are accredited thought leaders in their fields of work by the All Ireland Business Foundation. He was the first in Ireland to be accredited as a Thought Leader by the foundation in the area of SME and Commercial Finance. The conversation dives into Gary's entrepreneurial journey, as well as how working for an Irish startup gave him the appetite to go out on his own.  Key takeaways: 1. It's never a perfect time to start your business (Gary was expecting a child and the pandemic was just about to kick off). You might as well get going sooner - rather than later. 2. What could you do with your business if you had access to more capital? Through alternative financing - businesses have the opportunity to leverage huge pools of capital and should see alt finance as a growth vehicle.  3. See opportunity in market deficiencies. Ireland is behind when it come to alternative financing of businesses. Can you fill the gap? 4. Businesses with multiple streams of income are more robust. Look to build this into your business strategy from the start.  5.  The Irish market is small - build your business so it can be a success in different territories. The world's a big place. For more on Gary and his business: https://www.simplifinance.ie/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie Keep Moving Forward

What is up SharkNation!   On this episode, Luke and Mark sit down with CEO of Black Mirage (a cyber security firm in the US) to chat about how you can protect yourself form potential attacks.   The guys also get the inside scoop on the hacker world, how it works, who is involved and what's at stake.    Carson's firm helps businesses protect themselves from bad actors by staging attacks to reveal weaknesses.    The key takeaways:   1. Cyber attacks can affect everyone online so you had better figure out how to protect yourself.  2. Hacking groups can be well organised, like military units. 3. There are certain unwritten rules about hacking - infrastructure is supposed to be off limits 4. There is a great business opportunity in the space if you can build (or hire) the required skills.    For more info on Black Mirage:https://www.blackmirage.sh/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie  

What is up SharkNation! ***This is not financial advice - it is meant for education purposes only*** Luke and Mark talk about 'getting your money right' and building an investment strategy to make the most of the income you're generating. Luke acts as a guide and breaks down the simple steps a 35 year old would need to take to generate an investment pot of €1m+ in 20 years.   Key takeaways:   1.  Everyone should do the math on the €1m investment pot, and what it takes to get there - Luke and Mark describe the the platforms and assets you might use to build and manage your portfolio. 2. As with all income - it's not how much you make but how much you get to keep that matters. So the guys discuss possible tax strategies and how someone might choose investments that won't attract unnecessary taxes.  3. You need a long term mindset -  "time in the market beats timing the market'. 4. There are alternatives to ETFs to give a portfolio broad market exposure. Investment trust might be a way for some investors to build their fortune. 5. There are great resources out there - For portfolio ideas see http://www.lazyportfolioetf.com/. Books recommended on the podcast include Unshakable - Tony Robbins. Master the Trade - John Carter and Principles - Ray Dalio.  For Feedback: Luke@shark.ie KEEP MOVING FORWARD!        

What is up SharkNation! On this episode Luke and Mark sit down with Journalist, Podcaster, and Entrepreneur - Peter McCormack from the "What Bitcoin Did" podcast. Peter's podcast has reached over 1,000,000 downloads per month and he has also been sharing earning stats on his income report on his website where he shows how he built his podcast income to well over $200k per month. The guys cover a huge amount of topics on the podcast but here are the key takeaways: 1. Bitcoin is a paradigm shift in finance - banks are in trouble - governments are in trouble - it may be the biggest disrupter of our time.  2. Bitcoin means different things to different people. Some people see it as an opportunity to break away from central governments - some people see it as a store of value with built in scarcity, others a way to buy drugs online (Peter tells us about how he got into Bitcoin while trying to buy drugs through the infamous Silkroad back in 2012). 3. If you're passionate about something - give it a go. Peter started podcasting only a few years ago and now he flys all over the world interviewing Presidents of countries and well known tech personalities like the Winklevoss twins. 4. Time wealth is more important than money. Peter talks about his job in the city and the fancy cars but also the long hours and endless commutes. Peter gives Luke and Mark a snapshot of a day in the life for Peter now, which involves doing what he wants most of the time!  To learn more about Peter and listen to his podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7lS3lnf7taMiptieVXnB3Z?si=20a775b08938439c For Feedback: Luke@shark.ie Keep Moving Forward

What is up SharkNation! This week Luke and Mark sit down with Cathal Noone - Founder and Managing Director of RandDtaxcredits.ie. Cathal has built a software platform to help companies claim back tax here in Ireland and beyond.  R&D tax credits are big business in Ireland - while working as a Director in a Big 4 accounting firm PWC, Cathal helped his companies claim back a total of almost €1,000,000,000 in tax.  Cathal was frustrated with the in efficiencies he saw in the process and built a webapp to automate a lot of the process and cut costs for clients by up to 50%. Key Takeaways: 1. Build a business with an undeniable benifit for your customers ("sign up with us - save 50%"). 2. Business development is key in the early stage of new ventures - building partnerships and looking for innovate ways to bring your product to market have to be central parts of your strategy.  3.  A STEM education can give you a process driven mindset and transferable skills - setting you up for success in later life. 4. Don't be afraid to compete with incumbents in the market (like the Big 4, in this case). They will often take years to change and you can carve out your piece of the market before they have time to act. 5. Automation is coming for the accounting business. If you would like to learn more about the R&D Tax Credits or Cathal's platform you can see more info here: https://www.randdtaxcredits.ie/home Or reach out to Cathal directly here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathalnoone/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie Keep Moving Forward! 

What is up SharkNation! On this episode of the SharkPod, Luke and Mark break down the popular book "Principles" by Ray Dalio.  Dalio ran the biggest hedge fund in the world (Bridgewater) for decades and now, after retiring from running the day to day, he spends his time sharing his learnings through books, podcasts, and his YouTube channel. The focus of 2021 for Luke was to "get his money right" and start to build a real investment strategy. Luke came across Dalio's investment advice while reading Tony Robins' book "Money: Master the Game" where Ray share's with the world his investment strategy. Key Takeaways: 1. You need a goal, a mission, a vision to go after. One of Dalio's principles is "Do what you set out to do". He believes that following a dream helps to create a successful life.  2. Everything is a machine. Dalio's sees the whole universe, the economy, the company and the individual as interlocking machines. This take allows him to design investment strategies and company designs to create his desired outcomes. 3. Embrace reality and deal with it. Dalio sees himself as a hyper realist and claims that in order to become successful, you must not worry about what should be and only what is. 4. There is a 5 step process to produce successful results. This simple step by step approach has allowed Dalio to build a very successful career - the guys listen in to Ray explain the steps to the listeners. Luke and Mark would recommend this book to any entrepreneur or business person. It's a real treasure trove of advice. Link to book:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Principles-Life-Work-Ray-Dalio/dp/ For Feedback: Luke@Shark.ie"

What is up SharkNation!  Andy Mackin is the CEO of Mackin Group, an international company that provides both health and safety consulting and talent solutions for companies all over the world.  Andy started the business after a 21 year career in the Irish Navy.  The company has huge ambition and is aiming to generate €75 million per year in revenue by 2025, and €110 million by 2030! Andy shares his vision of ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange when the company goes public!  Key takeways: 1. Andy was almost 40 years old when he started the business - it's never too late to pivot to a new career. 2. He found that scale was achieved quickest by going global. Andy talks about opening offices in 18 states in the US, as well as offices in the far east and Africa.  3. Relationships compound over time and it's extremely important to maintain these relationships as you scale.  4. Stay open minded - the Talent side of the business grew from a suggestion from an existing customer and is now a huge part of the Group.  5. Get up early - sleep quicker... :)  For more info on Andy and the business: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackinconsultancy/?originalSubdomain=ie For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! On this episode, Luke and Mark chat to Entrepreneur and former contestant from BBC's 'The Apprentice' - Pamela Laird. Pamela is the founder and CEO of the Moxi Loves, a beauty product business that provides innovative, waterless, and sustainable products. Moxi Loves is stocked by some of the the biggest retail operations (Boots, Pennys and national pharmacy chains) in Ireland and the UK and will soon be available in Australia also.  The guys dig into Pamela's experience competing on 'The Apprentice' in the UK and also her appearance on the 'Dragon's Den' here in Ireland. Key Takeaways: 1. Distribution is key but not the most difficult part of the FMCG business. Pamela speaks about how important the product is as well as the packing and over all branding in being stocked by leading retail companies. 2. Working with a distribution company will help you get your product into retail chains but you will need to build up your own capacity for sales and marketing in order to keep momentum. There are risks involved with using distributers as they can become very important to your business, thus giving them a lot of negotiating power.  3. Build your brand to sell - Pamela tries to allow the Moxi Loves brand to be independent from her personal brand. In this way she is building a business with performance not tied directly to her, allowing investors or buyers to evaluate the business on its own merits. 4. The UK is a great source for investment for Irish Entrepreneurs. Getting involved with UK based shows (like The Apprentice) can help you build your profile there.  5. Momentum is the hardest thing about this business. New products, new markets, and finding new customers who are loyal to your brand in the long term is difficult when competing with some of the biggest companies in the world. For more information on Moxi Loves: https://moxiloves.com/ For Feedback: Luke@shark.ie Keep Moving Forward!

What is up SharkNation!  This week on the podcast Luke and Mark sit down with property Entrepreneur and Podcaster Gavin J Gallagher. Gavin is a property developer that built up a fortune during the Celtic Tiger, only to lose it all after the property crash of 2008. Gavin not only shares his story about how he got involved in property and how he build a €65 million portfolio in just a few short years, but also the subsequent fall to a negative net worth after 2008. Gavin tells the guys about what it was like during the the Celtic Tiger era in Ireland and how a winning streak in the property market led him to over-leverage his position while chasing his dream of getting to a €100M in assets. After years of dealing with the banks after the financial crisis, Gavin became interested in sharing his story and the lessons he's learned along the way with the the next generation of 'would-be' property entrepreneurs. Key takeaways: 1. Whatever you do in property - mindset will be a major factor in how you perform in the long term. 2. Investing in property gives you leverage. You can amplify your gains (and your losses) by using debt to fund your property vision. This is what makes it an attractive area to build a business. 3. Creativity is an important element of investing in property successfully. If you can see the potential in a project that others can't, you will be able to the acquire property and increase its value with your creativity, leaving others behind. 4. Hubris is a real risk once you become successful. Becoming addicted to the affluent lifestyle can cloud your vision of risk and lead to overextension. 5. If you are going to invest in property, pay someone to help that knows what they are doing. If you are interested in learning more about Gavin you can listen to his podcast "Behind the Facade" here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Nc4DcZiTGK85SVOdo3245?si=fd5530e6f8d34311 You can also follow him on Youtube here :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5L1ZJriImk  For feedback: Luke@shark.ie      

What is up SharkNation! On this episode, Luke and Mark chat to Daragh Jordan and Erik Jentetics - Founders Grafton Digital. Sometimes the podcast recordings take place at very interesting times in the growth curve of a business. Daragh and Erik are just 20 years old and are taking their company to the USA to chase growth opportunities.  Luke and Mark had grown up with the vision of moving to the States and starting businesses there and it is great to hear these young guys acting on a similar vision. Key takeaways: 1. It's never too soon to start. Daragh and Erik started the business 3 years ago when they were just 17.  2. When you start early you have a lot of time to pivot. The guys have already pivoted away from social media marketing to focus on their core business of app and web development.  3. There is nothing stopping you from doing business with the world's biggest economy.  4. You can take bigger risks when you are young because you have a lot time to make up for mistakes made.  5. Try to work in an industry where you get access to the 'back - end' of businesses, you'll quickly learn which businesses are profitable and which ones to avoid when starting your own business. You can learn more about the guys here: https://graftondigital.com/. For feedback: Luke@shark.ie Keep Moving Forward!

What is up SharkNation!  This week Luke and Mark sit down with serial entrepreneur, Ronan Cunningham to talk about leveraging innovation to start businesses. Ronan started off his career in Law, but after being let go he found himself participating in a course in UCD focused on applying innovation to business problems. Ronan took an idea from the course and spun it into his first business. FootTee - a football based golf game. The business took off from the start and it has led Ronan to build other 'experience' businesses including his latest venture, Zero Latency - a virtual reality business - based in Dublin. Key takeaways: 1. You don't have to start a business in a field you already work in, Ronan was new t the experience business but took action after extensive research.  2. It's never too late to pivot. Ronan talks about how people get on a certain track in life and feel like the only way to succeed is to continue on the path you are on. He uses the legal profession as an example. Ronan's career is proof that this is not have to be the case. 3.Double down on what works. Ronan laments not expanding faster on his first business once he found product-market fit.  4. Leverage other people's great ideas if possible. Ronan's new venture is a franchise from an Australian based company.  By working with them, he is leveraging their R&D dollars and applying a winning model to the Irish market.  For more information on Zero Latency: Zerolatencyvr.ie For Feedback: Luke@Shark.ie Keep Moving Forward!  

What is Up SharkNation! In this episode Luke and Mark learn about Bitcoin and crypto investing from Kryptalk's Shane Talty. Shane has been investing in Bitcoin for years and runs a YouTube channel where he provides updates and insights on all things bitcoin. Luke and Mark are looking to become investors in crypto but want to get a good grounding in the subject before they dive in. Shane provides his take on Bitcoin investing as well as his story of how he got involved. Key Take aways: 1. Cryptocurrencies are volatile and investors should learn all they can about them before investing. 2. Like other investments, a long term view is helpful to manage emotions during down cycles.  3. There are a lot of exchanges out there but Coinbase have made it very easy to start investing, and because they are a publicly traded company they feel more safe than other exchanges.     4. There are trading strategies out there for "scalping" alternative coins in speculative trades but these strategies require special knowledge and don't suit the long term investor.     5. There may be a future where crypto currency is the defacto way to pay for things, but this is a long way off. 6. When Luke and Mark start investing they will be 'dollar cost averaging' - meaning they will be buying when the market moves up, down, or sideways, constantly. In this way they should be able to smooth out their return over time and avoid trying to "time the market. If you would like to watch Shane in action his Youtube channel is here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9d0CqTAyAvOiOn4-UGUg1A Book mentioned as a good resource to learn about Bitcoin: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bitcoin-Standard-Decentralized-Alternative-Central/dp/1119473861 For feedback: Luke@shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! This week, Luke and Mark chat to waste tech entrepreneur John O'Connor on his growing waste management business (Kollect.ie) and how he is building a business that affects every household and business in Ireland. The guys talk about alternative business financing strategies and how Kollect launched an IPO in Sweden's Nasdaq branded stock exchange. They talk about the benefits of going public so early and how it made them grow up as a business and focus.   Key takeaways: 1. Entrepreneurial success is not usually a straight line exercise: John talks about starting businesses in different industries - night clubs, gyms and even a Subway franchise, before he found the industry that worked for him.   2. A mix of skills is the key to effectiveness in a management team: John describes the three founders of Kollect and how they leverage their individual strengths to propel the business forward.    3. Grow up ASAP: The best thing about going public early on is John and the management team was forced to build a grown up business with a board, structures and controls. They are now set up to scale. They would have had to do this at some time in the future, but by doing this early they can get on with the task of growing the business.   4. Do something you are passionate about: There are so many problems to fix. Picking an industry that annoys you and making it better is a great way to generate opportunities for yourself. John has been scratching his own itch throughout his business journey and this has led him to building a disruptive business in an industry ripe for evolution.  You can learn more about John and Kollect here: kollect.ie For Feedback you can reach out to the lads here: Luke@Shark.ie Keep Moving Forward!

What is up SharkNation! The sneaker/runner industry is a part of modern pop-culture.  Luke and Mark chat to an entrepreneur from a different generation. Someone who is at the very beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. Kevin started Sneaker Cleaner at the age of 17 and now 3 years later, he has a retail location in the heart of Dublin's most desirable shopping districts.   Sneaker Cleaner will also be featured in Ireland's high end retail store, Brown Thomas, as a product offering for their customers. The guys chat about all things business and really dig into the mindset of the next generation of entrepreneurs in Ireland.   Key takeaways:   1. Find a mentor - Kevin mentions at least 3 business people who have been helping him in business and who have built successful businesses in the past (all three have appeared on the SharkPod). 2. Find a way to add value to your mentor's business - in Kevin's case, he used his audio/visual skills to help successful entrepreneurs with their business and gained invaluable experience as a result.  3. Collaborate big - try to find partners to help you grow. Kevin talks about partnering with some of the biggest product in the industry.  4. Pick a business with different angles to facilitate expansion: Kevin talks about different ways he might grow the business. From cleaning products to auctioning and mail order, there are all kinds of creative ways to make money in the Sneakers business and this is an element to keep in mind when you are starting your business.   Kevin's website: https://www.sneakercleaner.ie/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie   Keep Moving Forward    

What is up SharkNation! This is a bonus episode of the SharkPod that features the founder of Bitesize Irish, Eoin Ó Conchúir. Bitesize Irish is a community that is aimed at helping people all over the world develop their Irish language ability. Their tagline is "Gaelige Gach Lá" (Irish everyday) Luke chatted to Eoin Ó Conchúir about all things language learning including Luke's journey with the learning the language starting at age 30. This includes the tools and tactics used by Luke to get a handle on the fundamentals of the language.  Eoin has his own podcast with over 100 episodes: https://open.spotify.com/show/75kbMRRV1mWcI6HFcFazJv?si=vGGQuYC-RH2Vr3ACyFw77A And you can learn more about the work Eoin does at: https://www.bitesize.irish/   For feedback: Luke@Shark.ie  

What is up SharkNation! On this episode Luke and Mark sit down with Kevin O'Loughlin, CEO of Nostra (IT Outsourcing business based in Lucan, Ireland) to chat about the company's rise and how the business has thrived through Covid times. Key Take aways: 1. If you want to build a €20,000,000 business you need to think long term.  2. Thinking of your business as a 30 year play changes how you make decisions and gives you clarity. 3. Dublin is one of the best places in the world to HQ your business - Kevin believes that Dublin has everything you need to succeed. 4. Employing people brings you joy and seeing your employees develop their careers at the company you built is very satisfying. 5. Recurring revenue gives you the benefits of the law of compounding and it is something to consider when designing your business. 6. The most promising niche in the IT outsourcing industry is in Security. If you want to learn more about Nostra and want to explore career opportunities there, you can find out more information here: https://nostra.ie/nostra-careers For feedback: Luke@shark.ie KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

"What is up SharkNation! On today's episode, the guys break down "How to Get Rich" according to Naval Ravikant.  Naval is an Investor/entrepreneur based in the Silicon Vally ecosystem.  He is the founder of AngelList, a platform that brings investors and entrepreneurs together. He is known as a philosopher on all things business and produced a "tweet storm" about how to get rich. He then released a 3h+ interview where he explains his prescriptions.  Luke and Mark take what they think are the best and most actionable points from this interview and break it down for the SharkPod listeners.   Key Takeaways: 1. Accept business responsibility under your own name. Naval suggests that most people are hiding in the crowd. This is hard wired into the human brain as to fail in front of the tribe produced dire consequences. These day however the risks of danger are low and society rewards those who are the owners of initiatives 2. Play long-term games with long-term people. Naval prescribes looking for industries you can build long term relationships in. This will lead to compound effects in networking and will ensure that everyone involved knows that they should treat you well because they are likely to need you in the future.  3. Learn to sell, learn to build. Luke and Mark discuss Naval's suggestion that those that can do both are unstoppable and investors are really looking for a mix of the two traits in founders when making investments.  4. There is no actual skill called business. Naval takes the position that business skills can not be taught by watching. Luke and Mark discuss education and if they would be recommending university to their children.  5. Leverage. Naval talks about how to use leverage to get rich. Luke and Mark discuss leverage in the internet age and how to develop business ideas at scale.  If you would like to learn more about the How to Get Rich approach of Naval you can check out his full podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-TZqOsVCNM&t=3415s. For feedback: Luke@Shark.ie

What is up SharkNation! Today the guys cover a very important topic with their special guest Barbara Sheahan, Founder and MD of HealthCare Compare (hcc.ie) - the place to go when you need to figure out how to protect yourself and your family.  Luke and Mark talk about entrepreneurship with Barbara but the conversation really turns into a clinic on all things health insurance. Key takeaways: 1. If you are in Ireland - get in early. The government penalises people who takeout insurance later in life. 2. Get a pro to help you out. During the pod Luke and Mark learn a lot about how the different plans work and how finding the right plan for you and your family can be a tricky undertaking.  3. Follow your passion. We talk about how Barbara has always wanted to create a successful business within the Health Insurance industry. 4. Health Insurance is opaque. There are plans that are not advertised on the insurers websites and these could be the best fit for you. This is another episode that is more like a workshop, like the investing pods the guys did back in January 2021, this is another element in designing your lifestyle that you should take charge of.  For more information on HealthCare Compare: hcc.ie To connect with Barbara : linkedin.com/in/barbara-sheahan-89076872/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie Keep Moving Forward!

What is up SharkNation! Today Luke and Mark chat to one of Ireland's most successful arts of the past 2 decades - Eoin O'Connor (https://eoinoconnor.com), Artist/entrepreneur.  You are probably familiar with Eoin's work if you  are living in Ireland as his paintings have been licensed by some of Ireland's most important retail chains.  Luke and Mark chat to Eoin about his rise in the Irish art world and how he always had sustainability in mind when it came to earning a living through his art.  This should be required listening for anyone serious about turning 'pro' as an Artist as it lays out the steps taken for Eoin's success, as well as a repeatable model other aspiring artists can follow.    Key takeaways:   1. Start out to be a professional.  Eoin stated to sell his work as early as possible, going 'door to door' to retail outlets to get noticed. 2.  Think distribution. Where can your work we sold most effectively? In Eoin's case, this was national retail chains in Ireland. 3. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Eoin describes setting up for the first time at the Art showcase in the RDS and feeling nervous when he seen the other exhibitors. After selling out all of his paintings, he grew in confidence.  4. Scale up. Eoin mentions his studio - his gallery and his business development relationships with national retails in Ireland. He mentions his hired staff that help him deliver on a huge amount of daily orders.  5. Get online. Selling direct to consumer cuts out the middleman and allows you to bank a bigger margin. Eoin leverages Shopify and Facebook ads to reach is international audience and manages orders through his full time team.    For more information on Eoin see:https://eoinoconnor.com/ Eoin's insta:https://www.instagram.com/eoinoconnorartist/   For feedback: Luke@shark.ie  

What is up SharkNation! This week on the SharkPod Luke and Mark sit down with Rónán Ó Dálaigh - Founder and CEO of Thriftify. Thrifitify helps charities get the most out of donated goods by providing an online platform for them to sell directly to the public.  By bringing technology to the industry, Thriftify hopes to ensure that the retailer gets the best price for their donated items while the public gets the chance to shop sustainably from the comfort of their home.    Biggest takeaways:   1. Entrepreneurship can be done in a way that makes the world a better place. 2. Some of the biggest opportunities in business are in sustainability. As people become more concerned about climate change, equality and equity, there will be opportunities to build companies with these principles in mind.  3. Even if the generation of maximum profits for the company is not the only goal, you can still raise funding if you need it to scale. During the pod they discuss how Rónán had to adjust his vision of the company only slightly in order to raise the capital they needed to expand.  4. Build something with passion. When it comes to building a business, being passionate about the the problem you are solving will drive you to put in the work necessary to make the project succeed. Instead of jumping on the latest business fad, find a problem you are passionate about solving and see where it leads. 5. Sustainability as competitive advantage. In the future, as regulations change, those companies that are sustainable by choice and strategy will have a distinct competitive advantage.  You can follow Rónán on insta: https://www.instagram.com/ronanodalaigh/ Thriftify: thriftify.ie For feedback: Luke@shark.ie Keep Moving Forward!        

What is up SharkNation! On this episode of the SharkPod - Luke and Mark meet with Paul Devaney of Irish 7 Summits. The 7 summits challenge involves climbing the highest mountain peak on all 7 continents.  Paul and his group of amateur mountaineers have managed to climb 6 of 7, with only one remaining - Mount Everest.  During the chat they cover: 1. How Paul, having no background in mountaineering growing up, got involved with such arduous challenge.  2. How Paul started to tick off the various climbs and a discussion on which ones were the most challenging and where someone should start if they would like to take in this challenge for themselves. 3. They discuss what is involved in getting ready for these expeditions and the sacrifices that need to be made when chasing this goal. 4. They talk about Paul's first attempt at climbing Everest and how that ended in disaster (avalanche). 5. How his second attempt at climbing Everest also ended in disaster (earthquake) and the rescue that he was involved in during the aftermath. 6. They talk about going back to Everest, Paul's final peak of the 7 summit challenge, and how he will prepare when he goes back. And much more. For more information on the 7 summits check out:https://irishsevensummits.com/stats-seven-summits/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie Keep Moving Forward!

What is up SharkNation! This week Luke and Mark sit down with David Kindlon CEO and co-founder of Eppione and Screenin.me to chat about the changing ways companies are rewarding staff in 2021 and beyond.  Eppione provides software to manage all HR needs including benefit management for employees.  The way we all work is in flux at the moment. Nobody knows what's around the corner, but we do know that we are living and working in a new environment post 2020. Managing distributed teams will become a competitive advantage and products like Epionne with help you manage this new and complicated landscape.  Main takeaways:  1.  Benefits as a competitive advantage. How do you retain staff without working in an office? How can you build loyalty and a team mindset working remotely?  2. Building a successful startup in Ireland requires an international mindset. Eppione's two co-founders are based in NYC and London. 3. There is real value in the office environment for some roles. You lose a lot of the shared experience that a lot of companies have invested heavily in. We speak about ways to replace this. 4. We speak about the future of employee benefits and how companies will have to adjust if they are going to compete. And much more... If you would like to reach David or learn more about Eppione (https://eppione.com/contact/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eppione/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkindlon/   Twitter: @Eppione  @Dkindlon   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Eppione/ For feedback: Luke@shark.ie