Dragon Profile - Sean Gallagher

Sean learned from an early age that hard work was the only way to overcome life's difficulties.

Born with congenital cataracts, he was almost blind as a child. He struggled through his early years until pioneering surgery saved his sight. Then the advice of an encouraging primary school Headmaster was to change his life: "if you can dream it, you can become it". That advice became his life's mantra.

At 18 Sean wrote a life plan; to become a farmer, a youth leader, a trainer, a martial artist, a fitness instructor, a politician, and an entrepreneur. Over the intervening years, he has relentlessly pursued and achieved every one of his goals.

On leaving school, he attended Agricultural College and went on to buy a farm at the age of 21. At 26 he was commissioned to develop the Government's first National Alcohol Education Programme for Young People. By 28 he had become full time Political Adviser to the then Minister for Health, Dr. Rory O Hanlon T.D. In 1995 Sean was appointed A/CEO of Louth's County Enterprise Board. Over the following 5 years he graduated with an MBA, developed and presented "start-your-own business" courses to hundreds of budding entrepreneurs.

In 2000 he left to pilot his own business venture, with business partner Derek Roddy. Two years later they launched Smarthomes. Sean turned a good idea into a company with a turnover of €10 million in six years - Smarthomes install cabling and technology into homes, providing home owners with access to the latest in Communication and Entertainment services. In 2006 Sean was a finalist in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

With the recent downturn in the building sector in Ireland, the company is currently embarking on an ambitious plan to enter foreign markets. Smarthomes are also active in the energy space and are currently pioneering technology that will allow home owners set and control their home heating systems from anywhere in the world via a standard text message or via the internet.

Committed to helping those wishing to set up their own businesses, Sean now spends much of his time presenting and giving motivational talks to aspiring or early stage entrepreneurs. He has spoken to hundreds of groups and is a regular contributor at seminars on success, business and entrepreneurship.

In 2008, Sean was appointed by the Government to the North South trade body, Intertrade Ireland.

In an effort to recover from injuries suffered in a car crash in his early twenties, Sean became passionately committed to health and fitness. He became a qualified fitness instructor and massage therapist. Over the past twenty years he has attained first degree black belts in both Judo and Karate. In 2009 he took part in, and won, the RTE Charity Lords of the Ring boxing show raising much needed funds for his chosen charity, the National Council for the Blind.

As an entrepreneur Sean knows from experience the many joys and challenges of setting up and growing a successful business in Ireland. He believes that the changing nature of our economy continues to offer endless and exciting opportunities for those courageous enough to pursue their dreams.

For more information: www.seangallagher.com

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