How to transform setbacks into start-up success: NI Olympic swimmer Conor Ferguson

“There’s a lot we can do that the bigger cities can’t”: The man in charge of how Belfast is marketed

Gavin Mckenna is the marketer who oversees how Belfast is promoted on a global stage. Gavin previously worked in Marketing in London, where he launched Marks and Spencer's in the US and had clients including Harvey Nichols and Tesco. Now, he’s the head of marketing for Visit Belfast. He speaks with Cathy about what Belfast can do that London can’t, why Belfast is so much more than shipbuilding and peace walls, and his excitement about the upcoming Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

‘In the first four weeks, I spent £3 million’: The Belfast man who grew a £10M lottery win into a booming whiskey business

In 1996, Peter Lavery's life changed overnight. At the time, he was earning £300 a week driving buses when he became one of Northern Ireland's biggest ever lottery winners, scooping up a £10.2 million. Nearly 30 years later, he's one of Belfast's best-known businessmen. Today, he's at the heart of one of Belfast's most ambitious tourism ventures as founder of Titanic Distillers, bringing whiskey production back to the city for the first time in almost 90 years. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

"Everyone will have an opinion!": Conquering the social media 'cringe' and finding your niche

From a beauty counter in Debenhams to a global beauty brand. Elanna McGowan is the owner of Pearl Beauty – a functional makeup brand which is making waves in the UK, Ireland and beyond. Originally from Canada, Elanna moved from Ontario to Ballymoney after meeting her now husband. Having built up a following on YouTube of almost 300,000, she decided to start a beauty brand that anyone could use – and pearl beauty was born. She joined Cathy to talk about finding your niche, building a brand, and staying true to yourself in business. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

“I was told I wouldn’t see 40”: The reality of ‘skinny jabs’

Marc Mckee was once told by his doctor that he wouldn’t see 40. At his heaviest, he was over 23 stone, and was heavily struggling with anxiety, food noise, and physical health issues. Now, after losing 9 stone through GLP-1 jabs, he’s started a skincare business, Elastik, to help others who have had a similar journey. He joined Cathy to talk all things GLP-1, the lessons he’s learnt in his journey, and how he's found running his business alone. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

‘It’s human nature to be scared’: How to master networking

Alastair Cameron is the founder of TechTides – a growing programme of regional tech conferences across the island of Ireland. His mission is simple – to bring everyone in the tech ecosystem on the island of Ireland together. In 2023, his life was turned upside down, when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, which eventually advanced to stage 4 and metastasised to his liver. While recovering, he spent his time contemplating changes in technology – and TechTides was born. He spoke to Cathy about how to master networking, his experience with OCD, using LinkedIn to your advantage, and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.