Advertise on podcast: Take The Plunge | Business Podcast

When Aine Kilkenny and her co-founder Fiona couldn’t find a single tampon at home, they didn’t just complain – they created Riley, a 100% organic cotton period care brand now stocked in bathrooms and retailers across Europe. In this episode, Aine shares how Riley grew from a kitchen table in West Cork to 400+ corporate clients, including Google and KPMG, replacing millions of single-use plastic period products with organic, biodegradable alternatives and expanding into the US. She talks candidly about shifting from DTC to a B2B-led model, crowdfunding on Seedrs, and why profit, sustainability and access all have to work together. We also dive into the human side of scaling: building a team around integrity, kindness and respect; finding the right balance between remote work and office hubs; getting onboarding right in a fast-moving startup; and learning to celebrate milestones instead of just sprinting to the next problem. Perfect for anyone interested in women’s health, sustainable consumer products, or what it really takes to build a purpose-driven brand in a crowded category. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve all had those “should I actually do this?” moments, but not all of us follow through. This is the story of someone who did. A founder who, while sitting in a pub, took out a five-figure personal loan and decided to back himself. And years later, it paid off. In this episode of Take the Plunge, Playter founder & CEO Jamie Beaumont talks through the real journey... the detours, the bad timing, the mistakes, and the moments that forced him to start again. From an HR tech startup wiped out by Covid to building a lending platform that helps thousands of small businesses manage cash flow, Jamie takes us inside: - The pub-side NatWest loan that kicked everything off - The failed HR platform that led to Playter - The nerves behind sending Playter’s very first loan - Rethinking invoice finance with Playter Pay & Playter Boost - Why PPC and cold outbound didn’t work, and how brokers changed everything - The messy reality of 24/7 founder life - His “high-agency” hiring test (the escalator question) - What it’s really like raising both equity and debt If you’re building something, rebuilding something, or thinking about taking a leap, this conversation is full of grounded, honest lessons about resilience, distribution, and the people you surround yourself with. About Playter Playter helps UK SMEs manage cash flow by spreading key bills and accessing flexible funding through products like Playter Pay and Playter Boost. About Take the Plunge Take the Plunge is the podcast from Swoop where founders share what pushed them to stop what they were doing and build something new. From the first spark to the scaling phase, and everything messy in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ciaran chats with Darren O’Reilly, founder & CEO of WholeSupp, on his journey from rugby and corporate life to launching a whole-food meal shake brand built on science, transparency and taste. Darren shares the grind of finding manufacturers, bootstrapping for three years, and building a challenger brand in a crowded nutrition space. Expect insight on manufacturing, omnichannel growth, hiring, partnerships, cash flow and smart funding. 🎯 Key Takeaways Problem → Product: After losing 23kg, Darren created a shake with 13 whole-food ingredients, co-developed with Dr. Brian Carson, using clinically backed doses.Trust & Quality: In a “Wild West” market, WholeSupp ensures transparency through informed-standard facilities and third-party testing.Taste Wins: 100+ sensory panels proved that nutrition only works if it tastes great.Data Focus: ~70% returning customers, 100+ monthly interviews, real-time insights and micro-influencer testing before paid growth.Omnichannel: Digital-first success now reinforced by Holland & Barrett rollout, sampling and staff training.Next Phase: Launching Ready-to-Drink (RTD) for on-the-go consumers.Lean Team: Keep fixed costs low, scale great people, and give ownership early.Funding Smart: Angels, grants, Enterprise Ireland and a fractional CFO—walked from early VC terms until metrics proved out.Email = Currency: Educational content (like VO₂ Max) outperforms hard-sell emails and drives loyalty. 🔥 Memorable Quotes “If your product doesn’t taste great, you’re in trouble.”“Email is currency. Educate first, sell second.”“We’re data nerds—every decision starts with behavior.”“Growth isn’t everything; live and breathe the numbers.”⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro & mission 01:05 – Rugby to corporate life to 23kg loss sparks the idea 02:30 – 13 whole-foods and allergen-friendly formula 03:40 – Fixing the “Wild West” of supplement labelling 06:20 – Manufacturing pain: MOQs, packaging swings, 3 years to market 08:40 – Bootstrapping reality & the Shopify myth 10:00 – Launching via social proof → paid ads 11:50 – Functional nutrition and category trends 12:40 – Convenience & RTD vision 13:40 – Taste testing and customer honesty 15:40 – Data engine: high retention & feedback 17:30 – New SKU ‘Elevate’: hydration + creatine 19:10 – Defining the “healthy, active” consumer 20:10 – Team culture, first-hire lesson, and advisors 22:20 – Low fixed, flexible cost model 24:50 – Omnichannel proof: H&B rollout & activations 26:40 – Partnerships: Rugby refs, breathwork, Nadia Power 29:10 – Milestone 430k+ meals; target 500k 30:30 – Funding & CFO Val: angels, grants, EI 32:00 – Tracking metrics via StoreHero + Triple Whale 34:00 – Profitability vs growth; knowing when to scale 36:20 – Raising smart, not fast; proof before capital 37:30 – Email education wins; 3-week reorder = 80% chance of third order 39:00 – Next goal: RTD #2 in UK 🔍 Keywords: WholeSupp, whole-food nutrition, RTD, DTC, omnichannel, third-party testing, customer research, micro-influencers, retention, Enterprise Ireland, angels, challenger brand, Holland & Barrett, functional nutrition, startup funding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ciaran sits down with Lisa Boissel, CEO of Miss Jones Group, to uncover her bold journey from Dublin’s nightclub scene to owning and scaling one of the UK’s most influential networks for personal and executive assistants. Lisa shares how she spotted a gap in the PA community, took the risk of acquiring Miss Jones during COVID, and leaned into tech and AI to modernise the business. From event planning stress to leadership growth, this conversation is packed with real-world insights for anyone navigating entrepreneurship, acquisitions, or community building. 🎯 Key Takeaways: • Lisa transitioned from nightlife to entrepreneurship with no formal business background • She saw an opportunity in the PA & EA space and turned it into a thriving network • Acquiring Miss Jones during COVID was a high-stakes move rooted in conviction • Technology and AI have become essential to business operations and customer service • Community-building and strong relationships remain core to her event planning approach • Lisa prioritizes hiring people who are eager to grow with the business 🔥 Memorable Quotes: “You can always go back and get a job — so take the risk.”“I always trust my intuition on things.“I want them to grow with the company.” ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Intro to Lisa’s Journey 01:25 – From Nightclubs to Business Ownership 05:44 – Spotting the Gap in the PA Market 07:28 – Growing the Miss Jones Network 09:48 – Using Tech to Scale 11:57 – The Challenges of Tech Development 17:48 – AI Integration for Customer Experience 19:25 – Buying Miss Jones During COVID 23:25 – Navigating Event Planning Stress 25:10 – Building a Strong Team 30:21 – Expanding into New Markets 32:47 – Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 34:28 – Lisa’s Vision for the Future 🔍 Keywords: entrepreneurship, scaling a business, women in business, event planning, community building, PA network, acquisition, business technology, AI in business, startup growth, SME success Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a podcast for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs who are thinking of taking the plunge! This week Ciaran and his guest of this episode, Russ Wakeham, the founder and CEO of Two Drifters Distillery – a premium British rum company with a unique, carbon-negative footprint. In this episode, they dive deep into Russ's journey in the spirits industry, where he shares his experience of building a sustainable brand from the ground up. Two Drifters Distillery is not just known for its high-quality rum, but also for its commitment to sustainability, as the entire production process leaves a positive impact on the environment. Russ explains how they have combined their passion for great rum with innovative environmental practices to create a company that's both profitable and planet-friendly. Website: (https://twodriftersrum.com/) LinkedIn: [Russ Wakeham] (https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-wakeham-984a1938/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app) Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/2DriftersRum/) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/twodriftersrum/?hl=en) Ready to start your own business? You can get a head start with support from Swoop! Learn more about Swoop here 👉 https://app.swoopfunding.com/stage Follow Swoop on our social media platforms as well! LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/swoopfunding/?viewAsMember=true) Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/SwoopFunding) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/swoopfunding/?hl=en) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Take The Plunge, a podcast for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs ready to take the plunge into the world of business! Join your host, Ciaran, as he dives into an inspiring conversation with this week’s guest, Ernesto Moreno—a powerhouse in the entrepreneurial world. Ernesto's journey began in 2003 when he moved from Venezuela to the UK at just 23 years old with only £300 in his pocket. Fast forward two years, and he had already opened his first Subway restaurant with his business partners. This was just the beginning. Over the next few years, Ernesto expanded his Subway franchise to 15 restaurants across the South West of England, and his entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. He went on to co-found two more franchise businesses, CeX and Miniso, and co-create Arepa & Co, a Venezuelan-inspired restaurant chain in London, now boasting four thriving locations. Today, Ernesto's ventures employ over 450 people across 32 stores and four distinct brands. In this episode, he shares the secrets behind his success, the challenges he overcame, and his vision for Arepa & Co as he works to make it a household name. Beyond his active role in his businesses, Ernesto is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs launch and grow their own ventures. He is a seasoned business consultant and people development specialist, with over 22 years of experience working with top consulting firms like Atos Consulting and PwC. Ernesto also delivers Leadership Development and Management Training programs in partnership with edoMidas, a renowned management consultancy. If you dream of taking the plunge yourself, you can get a good start with help from Swoop Funding! Learn more about Swoop here 👉 https://app.swoopfunding.com/stage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a podcast for business owners & aspiring business owners who are thinking of taking the plunge! This week Ciaran and his guest of this episode, female founder Lucy McCarraher discuss her journey in the publishing world. Lucy is the co-founder and CEO of the Book Magic AI book-writing app, co-founder of Rethink Press, and founder of the Business Book Awards. She is a Director of Dent Global and the Publish Mentor for the Key Person of Influence programme. Author of 13 books, including "A Book of One’s Own" and "Bookbuilder," Lucy is the UK's leading business book mentor, having guided over a thousand entrepreneurs and experts in writing and publishing their books. She hosts the ABOO online support group for women authors and runs women's mastermind and fiction-writing programmes. Lucy started her first publishing company at university and has since worked in publishing and media. She holds a postgraduate diploma in teaching Creative Writing and Literacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciaran and his guest of this episode, female founder Emma Thompson, talk about the processes of becoming a beekeeper, how to make a business from a hobby and many more bee-related topics. Follow Ciaran and Thompson down the rabbit holes of beekeeping and Emma's story of how she started her business Bee Haven Body Care, a body care brand selling products made with Emma's own honey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode, Ciaran Burke gets to interview female entrepreneur and business owner Deidre Mc Gettrick. Deidre, or "Dee" as Ciaran calls her, is the founder and CEO of the furniture and furnishing retail website ufurnish.com. The idea behind ufurnish.com is to bring furniture from every possible retailer and manufacturer together, to make the furniture-buying journey easier for the customer. She shares her journey, from idea to successful business, so listen closely because you can definitely learn something. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this edition of 'Take The Plunge', our own Ciaran Burke interviews renowned British businesswoman Sháá Wasmund MBE, delving into her many past ventures and experiences. What Wasmund is, is hard to explain as she has been a boxing manager, a business owner and an author, but most of all she is headstrong and ambitious. Through her many years of working, from when she was barely 20 to today, she has stayed determined and keeps working to better herself and the industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ciaran meets Pamela Laird a renowned entrepreneur and the creative force behind MoxiLoves, a thriving beauty and lifestyle brand that has taken the industry by storm. With her keen business acumen and unwavering determination, Pamela has built an empire from the ground up, providing invaluable guidance to aspiring business owners and anyone seeking inspiration to pursue their dreams of owning a business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ciaran met with the co-founder of LABELL-D, Julia Vendramin. Julia discusses her long spanning career in fashion and her learnings from starting her own sustainable fashion business. This episode is packed with insights on starting and scaling your own business as well as defining your brand identity.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of 'Take the plunge' Swoop Founder Ciaran Burke is speaking to Inverse Funding Founder Jamie Harford. Find out how Jamie went from running a healthy fast food business in 2012 to being responsible for 20% of funding raises in Europe (2020).   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finding your purpose, accounting and whiskey with Andrew Van De Beek. In this week's episode of 'Take the plunge' Swoop Founder Ciaran Burke is speaking to illumin8 Founder Andrew Van De Beek. The Aussie Accountant depicts the highs and lows of his journey as an Accountant and a Founder. Watch to find out more! Find funding for your business now for free, register with us at https://swoopfunding.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=avb-podcast More from Swoop: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SwoopFunding Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swoopfunding/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwoopFunding Where else to listen: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qCQwfI Find Andrew at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvandebeek/ https://www.illumin8.com.au/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex MacDonald, Co-Founder of North Point Distillery tells us about his journey from working within government trade to starting up a distillery with Struan Mackie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.