Ayu Cosmetics: Scaling Without External Investment

Mastering PR in the AI Age

Most entrepreneurs are great at building a company but struggle to master public perception and get their unique story heard. In a world flooded with AI-generated content and diminishing returns from traditional advertising, mastering reputation management is no longer a luxury but a core business requirement. The solution lies in creating earned media opportunities, pivoting from old SEO methods to generative engine optimisation, and understanding what makes a story cut through the noise. Discover the powerful yet simple strategies small businesses can use to build visibility and ultimately grow their customer base. Host Larissa Feeney welcomes media heavyweight Garrett Harte, founder of Harte Media. Garrett served as the first employee and Editor in Chief at Newstalk for 15 years, helping turn a local startup into a national powerhouse. He now consults for business leaders on mastering storytelling and reputation management. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Guiding principle to beat the competition. Three unexpected pieces of business advice. AI is fundamentally changing SEO advertising. Focus on the desired media headline. Why business owners avoid doing press releases. GUEST DETAILS Garrett Harte is a highly respected media strategist and the founder of Harte Media, a Dublin-based consultancy specialising in strategic communications and reputation management.  With a career spanning over two decades in the Irish media landscape, Garrett is best known for his 15-year tenure at Newstalk, where he served as Editor-in-Chief and was the station's very first employee. Under his leadership, Newstalk transitioned from a local Dublin station to a major national broadcaster.  Today, he uses his deep "insider" knowledge of the newsroom to help business leaders craft compelling stories and navigate high-stakes public relations. Company Website - www.hartemedia.ie Social Media: www.linkedin.com/in/garrettharte ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include: Accountancy Services Annual Compliance & Year-End Online Bookkeeping Services VAT Returns Payroll Services Management Accounting Xero Conversion & Training Company Secretarial Services Company Formation Ireland Company Secretarial Virtual Office Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors Registration Of Beneficial Ownership https://kinore.com/  ABOUT YOUR HOST The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.  Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.  Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company.  Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'. QUOTES  You need to find ways to tell your story in that independent third party media, because reputation isn't about what you say about yourself, it's what other people say about you. - Garrett Harte  The idea you have today, Garrett, for your business, it'll be different in 12 months' time, so don't fall in love with it. -  Garrett Harte  What's the one headline that you would like to see on the front page of Donegal Daily, the front page of Donegal Democrat, the front page of the business post. What would that headline be? - Garrett Harte Keywords: #EarnedMedia #ReputationManagement #BusinessGrowth #StartupLessons #DigitalStrategy

Ayu Cosmetics: Scaling Without External Investment

The leap from a great product idea to a sustainable, self-funded, international business is a massive hurdle for entrepreneurs.  Scaling a brand while maintaining obsessive quality control and a digital-first approach requires discipline, intentional strategy, and a high tolerance for risk. This episode dives into the uncompromising philosophy of building a household name without external investment. Larissa Feeney sits down with Suzie O’Neill, the visionary Founder and CEO of Ayu Cosmetics, an Irish-owned, multi-award-winning beauty brand. Suzie shares her journey from a technical expert to a CEO leading over 30 employees, detailing her masterclass in identifying market gaps and prioritising long-term integrity over rapid mass-market growth. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Leaving a secure job for necessity Bootstrapping business to avoid debt Why quality control beats launches Intentional DTC model for luxury Leader evolution: from tornado to CEO GUEST DETAILS Suzie O’Neill is the Founder and CEO of Ayu Cosmetics, an Irish-owned, multi-award-winning brand. A professional makeup artist by trade, she successfully scaled her business without external investment into a team of over 30 employees.  Her business is built on a foundation of customer-centric innovation, brand integrity, and a meticulous direct-to-consumer strategy. Connect with Suzie: Company Website - www.ayu.ie Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzie-o-neill-ayu/ ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include: Accountancy Services Annual Compliance & Year-End Online Bookkeeping Services VAT Returns Payroll Services Management Accounting Xero Conversion & Training Company Secretarial Services Company Formation Ireland Company Secretarial Virtual Office Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors Registration Of Beneficial Ownership https://kinore.com/  ABOUT YOUR HOST The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.  Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.  Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company.  Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'. QUOTES  You don't always have to have all the fancy stuff to begin with. - Suzie O'Neill I just didn't have a choice otherwise, like, things had to work, or else I was going back to work. - Suzie O'Neill You're in business now, every day there's going to be a bump on the road, and you just have to learn how to ride them. - Suzie O'Neill Keywords: #BusinessFinance #ScalingUp #DTCStrategy #FounderStory #LeadershipTips

Commercial Acumen in Medtech

Bringing life-saving medical innovation to a regulated market is fraught with complexity, risk, and massive commercial barriers. The challenge is balancing technical perfection with the difficult business realities of scaling, fundraising, and exit planning. This episode unpacks the journey of turning personal purpose into a profitable, high-impact medical technology business.  We discuss the crucial differences between medical knowledge and commercial acumen, the importance of building trust, and securing investment in a slow-moving sector. Larissa Feeney welcomes Brian Bailey, the CEO of Harmony Hybrid. Brian is a 25-year veteran of the medical technology sector who has successfully built, scaled, and exited multiple businesses in this demanding industry. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Commercial acumen harder than medical knowledge Build respect by knowing limits Prepare documents to minimise due diligence Creating products to avoid child heart surgery Need patience, perseverance, and right people GUEST DETAILS Brian Bailey is the CEO of Harmony Hybrid. He has over 25 years of experience in cardiology device distribution and sales in Ireland. Brian is an expert in commercial strategy and navigating regulated markets, having successfully sold his family business, Bailey Medical Limited, and his subsequent distribution company, Medilex Limited Connect with Brian: Company Website - https://harmonyhybrid.com ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include: Accountancy Services Annual Compliance & Year-End Online Bookkeeping Services VAT Returns Payroll Services Management Accounting Xero Conversion & Training Company Secretarial Services Company Formation Ireland Company Secretarial Virtual Office Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors Registration Of Beneficial Ownership https://kinore.com/  ABOUT YOUR HOST The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.  Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.  Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company.  Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'.

Entrepreneurship: 30 Years of Learning

Entrepreneurs struggle to find the balance between aggressive business growth and their own essential wellbeing, often overlooking the psychological health of their teams. This challenge can lead to burnout, poor decision-making, and limits on long-term, sustainable success. This episode explores the strategies that prove compassion and a focus on human performance are not luxuries, but commercial necessities for building an enduring enterprise. You will hear key learnings from 30 years of entrepreneurship, the power of delegation, and innovative ways to listen to your customer to shape and expand your business. Our guest is Jenni Timony, founder of the hugely successful Irish athleisure brand FitPink Fitness. She is also the Managing Director for I Am Here, leading the movement for psychological safety in the workplace. Jenni shares her diverse experience, from starting her first business at 19 to becoming a national finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Starting an entrepreneurial career young Key financial lessons from business failure Launching an athleisure brand successfully How crowdfunding provides fast investment The essential nature of true delegation GUEST DETAILS Jenni Timony is an entrepreneur with 30 years’ experience in commercial and social entrepreneurship projects. As Managing Director for I Am Here in the UK and Ireland, she partners with employers across sectors to embed psychological safety and build cultures where wellbeing and performance go hand in hand. She is also the founder of FitPink, an athleisure brand for women. Jenni has lectured extensively in Digital Marketing and was a national finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2007. Connect with Jenni: Website: https://iamheretribe.com/  https://fitpinkfitness.com/ Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennitimony/ ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include: Accountancy Services Annual Compliance & Year-End Online Bookkeeping Services VAT Returns Payroll Services Management Accounting Xero Conversion & Training Company Secretarial Services Company Formation Ireland Company Secretarial Virtual Office Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors Registration Of Beneficial Ownership https://kinore.com/  ABOUT YOUR HOST The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland.  Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant.  Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland's first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company.  Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like 'Accountant of the Year'. QUOTES    I make mistakes, ultimately my team will make mistakes. And you know, they need to know that it's okay to make mistakes, because if you're not making mistakes, you're not trying hard enough. - Jenni Timony  I would have probably capitalised the business better from an earlier stage. I would have got investors. - Jenni Timony  I would say, don't be in love with your business, because your business isn't going to love you back when you're 80.  - Jenni Timony  I always tried to think, you know, what got me here, won't get me there, so you have got to change your approach to things, I think, in business, over time." - Jenni Timony  Keywords: #Entrepreneurship #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #FitPink #Delegation

Smácht Philosophy Discipline Business Success

Discipline sounds harsh until you translate it to the Irish word : Smácht meaning control, mastery, and the beautiful skill of managing your fishing technique.  Pádraic Ó Máille reveals how this Connemara word became a life-changing philosophy for terrified business owners surviving Ireland’s worst recession, evolving into mastermind groups running since 2011 with members still returning for one surprising reason: safety. Discover why 98% of heart bypass patients revert to old habits without peer accountability, how Pádraic went from C-class to A-class through presentation skills, why his mother’s pre-speech phone call taught him about negative people, and the six questions transforming paralysing worry into actionable plans—including the business owner who smiled after finally knowing exactly what he owed.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT * How the Smácht philosophy was born. * Why mastermind groups provide irreplaceable benefits * How physical fitness represents the #1 characteristic of successful business people.  * Why the six-question problem-solving framework transforms worry into action. How presentation skills differentiate successful entrepreneurs not by product quality but by communication ability. GUEST DETAILS Pádraic Ó Máille is Ireland’s most sought-after business mentor, acclaimed speaker, and founder of the Smácht philosophy the proven discipline of success driving incredible achievements since 2011. His framework has helped extreme athletes conquer the Atlantic, high-level sports teams win national titles, and entrepreneurs secure the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award.  With over twenty years mentoring business owners through economic recessions, growth phases and personal challenges, Pádraic has worked with approximately 200 colleagues across 12+ Smácht mastermind groups operating since 2011, with many original members still participating today.  Author of insightful books including The Midas Power, Pádraic’s unique approach combines Irish cultural wisdom (the Connemara word “smácht” meaning discipline, control and mastery) with practical psychology, physical fitness principles, and peer accountability structures.  His mentoring philosophy emphasises five critical success characteristics: physical fitness, surrounding yourself with the right people, positive psychology, problem-solving frameworks, and presentation skills.  Drawing on experiences from working with Fergal Quinn at SuperQuinn to supporting businesses through Ireland’s worst economic recession, Pádraic delivers transformative insights making success inevitable rather than hopeful. Connect with Pádraic: Smácht Mastermind Groups: Contact through Real Business Conversations Speaking Engagements: Available for corporate events, conferences and business training ABOUT KINORE - AWARD WINNING ONLINE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Kinore is an award winning and innovative online Chartered Accountancy service that takes away the worry and headache of running your own finance and related business services functions. Kinore’s services include: Accountancy Services Annual Compliance & Year-End Online Bookkeeping Services VAT Returns Payroll Services Management Accounting Xero Conversion & Training Company Secretarial Services Company Formation Ireland Company Secretarial Virtual Office Bond for Non-EEA resident Directors Registration Of Beneficial Ownership https://kinore.com/ ABOUT YOUR HOST The host of this podcast is Larissa Feeney, CEO and Founder of Kinore, an award-winning online accountancy and business services firm based in Ireland. Lasissa’s journey is notable, starting in hospitality before transitioning to accounting, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Driven by a vision to challenge traditional accountancy and leverage technology, Larissa founded Kinore in 2015, establishing Ireland’s first online, remote-first Finance and Business Services company. Under her leadership, Kinore has received numerous accolades, and Larissa herself has been recognised with awards like “Accountant of the Year”. QUOTES I think when you ask the members, why do you keep coming back? It’s a safe place. When we have problems, we can’t always go to our banks. We can’t even go to our accountants. - Pádraic Ó Máille I asked them, what was the one characteristic they thought they needed more than anything else for their businesses to survive? Almost every person said discipline. - Pádraic Ó Máille Within two years, 98% of people who had bypassed surgery had reverted to their old habits, to their old fitness regimes, to their old diets. The 2% who actually succeeded in sticking with it were part of a mastermind group. - Pádraic Ó Máille The first attribute of all the great people that I’ve worked with: they all had exceptionally high energy levels. They were all very physically fit. - Pádraic Ó Máille Keywords: #Smácht #mastermindgroups #businessdiscipline #entrepreneurship #peerac countability