AIBF Business Talk

In this episode, Elaine chats with Shay Lynch, business architect and founder of Future State – the guy leaders call when their business is busy, noisy… and stuck. Shay went through the 2008 crash, big debts, hard calls and learned how to rebuild with better systems, better teams and a clearer head. Here’s what you’ll hear, in plain English: How a seven-figure business nearly collapsed overnight a...

“Start with listening. If you get that right, everything else falls into place.” – Elaine Hennessy In this episode, Elaine Carroll sits down with Elaine Hennessy, Founder & Creative Director of Little Blue Studio, a web design studio known for turning brand stories into meaningful digital experiences. Elaine shares how she launched the studio in the aftermath of the 2008 crash, why the name “L...

“There’s no business nowadays that isn’t technology-driven. None.” – Imelda O’Hanlon In this episode, AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll sits down with Imelda O’Hanlon, founder of Star Recruitment and Business All-Star Thought Leader in IT Recruitment, to explore the real state of tech hiring in Ireland, the good, the messy, and the wonderfully human. Imelda shares how she moved from selling IT systems to he...

“You can’t change everybody, but you can change one person.” – Jeanette Delahunty In this episode, AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll sits down with Jeanette Delahunty, founder of TSK Academy, a social enterprise on a mission to make neuro inclusion real in schools, workplaces and families. Jeanette shares her journey from early school leaver and late-diagnosed ADHD, to Masters in Psychology and six-in-a-row...

“If you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way. The car has a reverse gear for a reason.” - Paul Gamartin, Founder & CEO, Store4U. In this episode, AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll chats with Paul Gamartin, the entrepreneur behind Store4U, Ireland’s fastest-growing storage network. From insulation and energy to storage and tech, Paul’s story is a masterclass in staying curious, building strong...

“Do it really well, take no shortcuts and price it so people can show up three times a week.” - Sarah McLachlann, Founder, Pilates Performance. In this episode, CEO Elaine Carroll talks with Sarah McLachlann about turning a personal recovery story into Pilates Performance . A studio and educator brand built on classical principles, customer care, and smart systems. We cover accessibility over excl...

“Get sleep under control and everything else gets easier: energy, food, movement, life.” - Elaine Ellis, Co-Founder, Sentro Labs. In this episode, CEO Elaine Carroll talks with Elaine Ellis about launching Sentro Labs, an Irish, evidence-led supplement brand focused on sleep, stress, gut and hormonal health. We dig into why transparency (clear dosages, cited studies) and Irish manufacturing matter...

In this episode of AIBF Business Talk, host Elaine Carroll, CEO of the All-Ireland Business Foundation, sits down with Adrian Godwin, Managing Director of Oaktree Financial Services - a name synonymous with trust, transparency, and community spirit. Adrian shares his journey of building a firm grounded in genuine care for clients and a culture of teamwork. From the importance of protecting your ow...

“Keep your records in order. That’s the basis for every good decision and your best protection.” — Cathy Shivnan, Director of Insolvency Supervision, Corporate Enforcement Authority In this episode, Elaine Carroll talks with Cathy Shivnan about spotting financial red flags early, understanding your legal duties, and choosing the right rescue route. Highlights: ✨ The red flags you can’t ignore: sa...

“Your capacity isn’t fixed. If it were, world records wouldn’t be broken.” - Dr. Janine van Someren   In this episode, Elaine Carroll sits down with Dr. Janine van Someren, founder of The Wellbeing Advantage, to explore how wellbeing fuels business performance.   Dr. Janine brings insights from her background in high-performance sport, psychology and leadership to show why wellbeing isn’t a perk -...

 “You can’t do it half and half. If you believe in it, go all in.” - Gavin Kelly In this episode, Elaine Carroll chats with Gavin Kelly, founder of Purple Panda - the 100% Irish-owned company delivering 20,000+ workplace products with next-day service and standout customer care. Gavin shares how he went from Viking to launching Purple Hippo, why a bold name helped break into a crowded market, and...

From the very first recording to our 200th conversation, AIBF Business Talk has been about one thing: shining a light on Ireland’s entrepreneurs. In this special episode, host and CEO of AIBF, Elaine Carroll sits down with Kieran Ring, Deputy Chair of the AIBF Adjudication Board, to reflect on the journey of the All-Ireland Business Foundation and the businesses that have shaped its story. They ta...

Ronan Haslette grew up sweeping floors in his family’s Leitrim factory. Today, he’s leading Merenda, Ireland’s  only flexible wood veneer manufacturer, working with architects, designers and furniture makers across the world. On this episode of AIBF Business Talk, Ronan opens up about: The reality of stepping into a second-generation family business How Merenda balances tradition with innovation a...

💬  “Diversity isn’t just about difference - it’s about belonging.” – Sofi Musleh This week on AIBF Business Talk, Elaine Carroll chats with Sofi Musleh, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion and proud AIBF Business All-Star Thought Leader 2025. Sofi doesn’t do buzzwords - she talks real. 👉 Why DEI isn’t a ‘nice extra’ but the backbone of healthy business 👉 What small companies can do today w...

👑 “The Brow Movement isn’t just about beauty - it’s about confidence, joy, and possibility.” – Munaza Gilmore Munaza Gilmore never set out to build a brow empire - but today, The Brow Movement is shaping confidence, creating products, and training the next generation of beauty pros. 💄 From her granny’s sitting room to Ireland’s Brow Queen, Munaza Gilmore turned resilience and a piece of thread i...

“I’ve worked with people earning huge salaries… but still struggling to keep up with bills.” For David Devine, that wasn’t a question of discipline - it was about wiring. As the founder of Platinum Financial Planning & NeuroFinance™, David has spent years helping clients who think differently take control of their finances - without the shame, jargon or one-size-fits-all approach. In this epis...

From a humble jaunting car in 1957 to the pinnacle of luxury travel today - Kerry Coaches is now proud to be crowned All-Ireland Champion Bus and Coach Company of the Year 2025.🥇 In this episode of AIBF Business Talk, Elaine Carroll chats with Mike Buckley, who shares how his family business grew from small beginnings to a fleet of over 100 luxury coaches. 💬 “People said I was mad spending £23,5...

"You don’t need to hustle harder, you need to think sharper." 💡 After 20 years running his first tech company, Dave Devery stepped away, took stock, and started again, this time on his own terms with Dave Devery Consulting. On this episode of AIBF Business Talk, he chats with Elaine Carroll about: Walking away from a business he built over two decades Starting fresh as a fractional CIO -and what...

“After a year or two, we pivoted into lead generation - and that’s been our core focus for the past 10 years. Now, we’re evolving again.” In this episode of AIBF Business Talk, Elaine Carroll sits down with Edel Madden and David McCullough, co-founders of Xsell - proudly named All-Ireland Champion Digital Marketing & Lead Generation Agency of the Year. After decades in big tech, they left the...

"I was the everything. I was head of every department. You do everything. You look back now and wonder, how did I do it? But you do - you just do." In this week’s episode of AIBF Business Talk, host Elaine Carroll sits down with Aoife Caulfield of Caulfield Financial – a woman on a mission to simplify financial planning and help families take control of their financial future. Aoife shares the rea...

"I saw people struggling. I knew we could do better. So we did." When Neil Costello couldn’t find the right support for his loved ones, he didn’t just complain, he built the solution. On this episode of AIBF Business Talk, we dive into the powerful story behind Better Care, Ireland’s leading private mental health service. What started as one man’s mission during COVID is now a nationwide network o...

“We don’t do false. Not in beauty — and not in business.” In an industry crowded with filters, fillers and fast fixes, Totalcare is doing something refreshingly rare: telling the truth. This week on AIBF Business Talk, we sit down with powerhouse duo Dympna & Ben Fitzgerald, the mother-and-son team behind one of Ireland’s most trusted aesthetic and skincare clinics. From humble beginnings to b...

In this AIBF Business Talk Summit Special, we spotlight the launch of Navigating Global Markets – a groundbreaking report by the All-Ireland Business Foundation in collaboration with the University of Limerick and sponsored by Mauve Group. Recorded live at Croke Park, this panel features Dr. Briga Hynes (Kemmy Business School, UL), Teresa Lewis (Mauve Group), and Stephen Arkins (KCC Group), who ex...

“There’s no point being afraid of losing. Set the goal, aim high and back yourself to get there.” – Annalise Murphy In this AIBF Business Talk Summit special, broadcaster Ivan Yates chairs a powerful panel with three of Ireland’s top athletes – each bringing raw insight into what it takes to perform, pivot and push past limits. Whether they’re chasing medals or mastering new arenas, Annalise Murph...

“We’re more connected to the US economy than Mexico. That’s not an opinion - that’s data." – Dan O’Brien In this special episode of AIBF Business Talk, we take you inside the All-Ireland Entrepreneur Summit for an eye-opening session with Dan O’Brien, one of Ireland’s most trusted economic commentators, in conversation with Ivan Yates. This isn't your average economic forecast. Dan brings clarity...