We have been following the progress of Brenda Bolger, Sandra Graham and Dennis McCarthy over the last couple of months as they attempted to break into the world of business. Today was our final chat with the three.Kevin Foley from Grant Thornton was also in studio to outline where he sees each business going in the coming few months
Colm caught-up with Brenda Bolger who has developed an Irish Tourism App for children – We also got an update on how Sandra Graham and Dennis McCarthy are getting on. And Colm also spoke to two experts in the world of business – Anne O’Leary is the Executive Chairman of Kinematik - Anne spoke about how she has received many knocks in business and has learnt that success requires ‘passion, persistence, faith, energy and a great sense of humour’. Also Dr Bruce Martin is a lecturer in the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School and he spoke about how many people think that entrepreneurs are born and not made, but new research has been looking into the ways and means of teaching entrepreneurs
Colm caught-up with Sandra Graham from Carrigaline who is moving along with her up-cycling shop and is now looking at developing into a small cafe on the premises. Also today we heard from someone who has really made it in the world of business; Paul Kenny is the Founder and CEO of Cobone.com and is based in Dubai – Paul sold his business for millions and is still running it as CEO – He hopes to make cobone.com worth 200-500 million. And Jordan Casey from Waterford is a 13 year old entrepreneurgames developer and he spoke to Colm from a games conference in Amsterdam –Jordan is behind ‘Casey Games’ and has made 5 games
Today we looked at getting that all important funding from the bank. John Irwin is from AIB and he spoke about the best approach to take with the bank, from how to prepare, to the mistakes that people most often make. John mentioned the website www.smallbusinessfinance.ie and you can also have a look at www.aib.ie/business.
Also Dennis McCarthy told us how things have been developing with his dehydrated crisps – Colm had a sample in studio and did the taste test.
It's been two weeks since we met our three finalists for our 'What's Your Big Idea?'. The three have been for a meeting with Grant Thornton to look over their business plans. Kevin Foley of Grant Thornton was in studio to let us know how the meetings went and our three budding entrepreneurs were also on the line.
We heard some more great 'Big Idea's' - Zack Gallagher is a chef from Donegal who wants to start his own culinary food tours of Ireland - www.irishfoodtours.ie. Eamon Malone has set up Arts Cool Media - a stencil system which teaches children how to draw - It has been really popular in schools that he has visited and they are now looking to go global - www.artscoolmedia.com
We heard some more great 'big ideas' - Imelda told us about her business - www.collegedinners.ie , which sorts out student's meals for the week. It is only available in Cork at the moment and Imelda would love for college dinners to expand across the country. And Dennis is a potato farmer who has seen sales in potatoes decrease - He has come up with a novel way of re-inventing his product - de-hydrated crisps
Natalie told Colm about her idea for an interactive traditional music museum in Doolin and Debbie has an idea that allows you to rent out your dresses for occasions
