The Entrepreneur Experiment

In this episode, Gary sits down with Dr Caitriona Ryan and Dr Niki Ralph, co-founders of the Institute of Dermatologists in Dublin, to unpack how they built a modern “centre of excellence” model in Irish private care - combining medical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, skincare, and a growing surgical pathway under one roof.They share the realities of scaling a high-trust healthcare business (systems, hiring, standards, and culture), how COVID sparked a major pivot into new services, and why Ireland needs to shift from reactive healthcare to preventative, longevity-led thinking. Plus: the story behind ID Formulas, their new data-driven approach to supplements (including wearables integration), and what they believe actually moves the needle for healthspan.Show NotesWhy Caitriona and Niki built a centre of excellence model (and why it’s scalable)A day in the life of two Consultant Dermatologists with five businesses and thousands of patientsThe difference between medical dermatology and cosmetic dermatologyHow they protect standards at scale: meetings, feedback loops, SOPs, and hiringThe COVID moment that forced a pivot - and led to a new surgical modelTheir longevity philosophy: healthspan over lifespanThe “longevity hype” they’re most sceptical of — and what they’d focus on insteadA simple, no-fuss skincare framework for founders (men + women)Links & ResourcesInstitute of Dermatologists (IoD): https://instituteofdermatologists.ieIoD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instituteofdermatologists/?hl=enID Formulas waitlist: https://www.idformulas.com/Dr Caitriona Ryan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitrionaryandermatology?igsh=MW5jcGhleGFxMWRieg==Dr Niki Ralph Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnikiralph?igsh=MWl2anNucWc5MDR0Yg==Things mentioned in the episodeWHOOP: https://www.whoop.comOura Ring: https://ouraring.comBook — Unreasonable Hospitality (Will Guidara)Book — Outliers (Malcolm Gladwell)Book — Good to Great (Jim Collins)EltaMD UV Clear SPF from IoD site(mentioned as a daily sunscreen option): https://instituteofdermatologists.ie/collections/elta-md-skincareEpisode sponsorsNostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26 Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrkDisclaimerThis episode is for general information and education only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your GP, pharmacist, or qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance, especially before starting new supplements or treatments.

In this bite-sized Mentor Moment, Seán Brett shares the raw, real start of his entrepreneurial journey - leaving school at 14 after being misunderstood for dyslexia and ADHD, and turning that experience into creativity, resilience, and a relentless drive to build a better life.Seán breaks down why “non-traditional” beginnings can become an advantage, how early selling teaches you more than any classroom, and why understanding people - not just products - is at the heart of business.For the full conversation with Seán (and why it became a listener favourite), listen to Episode 419 of The Entrepreneur Experiment.Check out our sponsors:Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26 Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk

What doesn’t disappear in a recession? Money. What disappears is confidence — and that’s where opportunity lives.In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary sits down with Ray Ryan, founder of The Noledge Group, for a wide-ranging, founder-first conversation on staying relevant through decades of tech change — from mainframes, to PCs, to cloud… and now AI, agents, and wearables.Ray shares how he’s built and evolved a business by spotting shifts early, testing relentlessly, and focusing on what actually creates productivity (hint: it’s not hype — it’s time saved). They get into why voice + visual is the real unlock, how agentic AI changes the game, why the keyboard era is ending, and the simple human rule behind adoption: benefit must outweigh friction.This is a practical, honest conversation about how founders survive (and win) through change — and why systems, experimentation, and enthusiasm matter more than ever.In this episode:Why recessions are really confidence cycles (and where opportunity comes from)Tech cycles: mainframe → network/PC → cloud → AIThe next shift: wearables + edge computing + AI agentsWhy voice is the “unlock” (and keyboards are on the way out)Business is experimentation: testing, packaging, and customer psychologyScaling through acquisitions — and why “audience” matters in businessRay’s best advice: cash flow and enthusiasm (and why enthusiasm winsAbout the guestRay Ryan is the founder of The Noledge Group, working with businesses on improving how they run finance and operational systems—helping leaders move from messy, manual workflows to clearer reporting and stronger decision-making.Links & resourcesThe Noledge Group: https://noledge.ie/Ray Ryan (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/in/rayryanossmPower Law of Podcasting (course): https://stan.store/garyfox/p/the-podcasting-power-lawOur SponsorsNostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26 Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrkFollow & support the showIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with one founder friend, and leave a review - it helps more than you think.Connect with Gary / The Entrepreneur Experiment:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurexperiment?igsh=cmdiM2Y3OXoydTE%3D&utm_source=qrLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrgaryfoxNewsletter: https://www.mrgaryfox.com/subscribe-1

In this weekend’s Mentor Moment, Charlene Flanagan and Niamh Ryan - the founders of Ella & Jo - share a refreshing take on what success really means. Instead of chasing someone else’s version of the win, they talk about defining success for yourself: freedom, family time, building from the west of Ireland, and creating a legacy by bringing a brand from “nothing” to customers in over 50 countries.If you’ve ever felt swept up in external pressure - the numbers, the milestones, the “next thing”- this clip is your reminder to pause, reassess, and choose what you actually want your life to look like.For the full conversation with Charlene and Niamh, listen to Episode 417 of The Entrepreneur Experiment.Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26 Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk

In this brand-new Masterclass Special, Gary Fox sits down with Diarmuid Corcoran of Chartered Capital to unpack the money questions Irish founders avoid - until it’s too late.They talk openly about why money can still feel like a “dirty word” in Ireland, why founders can be brilliant at making money but hesitant to manage it, and how wealth often compounds simply because of maths. Diarmuid breaks down the core principles of long-term investing (without the hype), the psychology that causes people to panic at the wrong time, and the practical founder moves that build real security - like taking a salary, using pensions properly, and keeping “fun investing” firmly contained.If you’ve ever said “I’ll start later,” “I’ll wait for the markets to settle,” or “my business is my pension,” this episode is the reset.Important noteThis episode is education and perspective - not personalised financial advice. Always do your own due diligence and speak to a qualified advisor/accountant for your circumstances.Show notesWhat you’ll learnWhy the “rich get richer” is often compounding in actionWhy Ireland has a unique relationship with money (scarcity mindset + property-first thinking)The hidden risk of “safe” cash: inflation eroding purchasing powerTime in the market vs timing the market (and why “waiting” usually backfires)The psychology behind bad money decisions: recency bias, fear headlines, and the Dunning–Kruger effect“Set-and-forget” investing, and why boring usually winsThe founder dilemma: all eggs in the business and no personal de-risking planPensions: why they can be tax-efficient, protective, and misunderstoodThe “de-risking” concept approaching retirement (and the 2008 lesson)A simple way to start investing regularly (and remove emotion from the process)The “playpen” rule: keeping speculative investing (stocks/crypto/startups) to a small %Founder mistakes Diarmuid sees constantly:Not taking a salary earlyNot paying a spouse/partner (where relevant)Being far too cautious in long-term pension fundsMissing employer pension matchingMore about Chartered Capital:Chartered Capital Initial Query Form (https://bit.ly/4a89Mcp) for people who want to get in touch. When people fill this out, Chartered Capital will reach out to  them afterwards to arrange a meeting. They also circulate a monthly newsletter that generally only consists only of good news and isn’t ever in any way technical:  Newsletter link (https://crafty-innovator-3012.kit.com/57ab7f6ffd) Link to Blogs on Chartered Capital website (https://charteredcapital.ie/insights/blogs-and-news/)Chartered Capital Website (https://bit.ly/charcap)This is a super video on Robert Cialdini’s work for those who don’t have time to read the full book = Science of persuasion - Robert Cialdini (https://youtu.be/cFdCzN7RYbw)The Financial Planners Ireland website: https://fpireland.ie/Our Sponsors:Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26 Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk Book RecommendationsGeneral Psychology = Influence – The Psychology of Persuasion (https://amzn.to/4bB6q4c) by Robert Cialdini and The 48 Laws of Power (https://amzn.to/49XcBON)by Robert Greene.Running a business = Traction (https://amzn.to/4qgiJGM) and Rocket Fuel (https://amzn.to/3ZdOqWa) by Gino Wickman.Personal Finance = The Psychology of Money (https://amzn.to/4rosi7w) by Morgan Housel.

In this Mentor Moment, Keilidh Cashell shares the exact moment her career pivoted - she left her job on the makeup counter with plans to build a weekend client business… and instead, brands started reaching out with paid opportunities straight away.Keilidh breaks down how she stayed true to her values, learned the realities of the influencer industry, and why trust and long-term partnerships matter more than a quick ad.🎧 Want the full story? Listen to Episode 414 of The Entrepreneur Experiment for the complete conversation with Keilidh.Our Sponsors:Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary Fox sits down with Spencer Matthews - founder of CleanCo, endurance adventurer, and the definition of a modern founder operating across business, body and brain.Spencer shares the real story behind his identity shift: from heavy drinking and coasting, to building extreme discipline through endurance challenges, and channeling that same intensity into building CleanCo. He opens up about raising big money, moving too fast, the U.S. expansion that didn’t land, stepping back from the day-to-day, and what he’d do differently if he was starting again.If you’re building something and trying to balance ambition with sustainability, this one is a masterclass in reinvention, risk, and rebuilding properly.Show NotesIn this episode, we cover:🔥 The wake-up call that made Spencer quit drinking, and why “identity shift” beats habit change🚀 How CleanCo started: spotting the gap in non-alcoholic spirits and going all-in with zero experience📈 Scaling lessons: big fundraising, big valuation pressure, and the hidden cost of moving too fast🇺🇸 The U.S. launch mistake: “no education” + rushing expansion and the 3-year cleanup🔁 Rebuilding properly: consistency, patience, and focusing only where you can win🏃‍♂️ Why hard challenges feel liberating, and how endurance became his operating system🧠 How he runs life week-to-week: training, staying busy, trusting great people, and avoiding the scroll🏝️ The long game: why he sees a future chapter in the Eden Rock family businessLinks & ResourcesSpencer Matthews (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/spencermatthews/CleanCo / Clean Liquor: https://www.clean.co/Untapped (podcast): https://open.spotify.com/search/Untapped%20Spencer%20MatthewsJames’s Place (mentioned): https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/Our Sponsors:Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26 Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk

Welcome back to The Entrepreneur Experiment for 2026 - and Season 28 kicks off with a special format: an Ask Me Anything Q&A. Gary answers the most “juicy” questions sent in over Christmas (LinkedIn, Instagram, and the newsletter), covering everything from taking the podcast global, to the tools and team behind the scenes, to why he’s doubling down on founder-led brands in the age of AI.You’ll also hear Gary’s hot takes for 2026 (see: remote vs. hybrid: pick a lane), the founders he believes will have breakout years, what he’d do differently if he started again, and the one mindset shift he’s bringing into the new season: decisiveness.🎧 If you like this AMA style, Gary’s already decided: more Q&As are coming - including AMAs with past guests, o make sure you’re following us on socials (linked below) to get involved, or join the newsletter (linked below). Show NotesIn this Season 28 opener, Gary kicks off 2026 with an Ask Me Anything episode — answering questions sent in over Christmas from LinkedIn, Instagram, and the newsletter.We touch on:When (and how) the podcast is going global — UK, Middle East, and the USThe 2026 goal: don’t look like a podcast — look like a media companyThe team + tools behind the scenes (and the one tool Gary can’t live without)Founder-led brands in the age of AI: why Gary is more bullish than everA few breakout predictions for the year aheadGary’s hot take for 2026 (and why “uncertainty” kills momentum)What he’s leaving in 2025… and what he’s bringing into 2026If you want more of these AMAs, tell Gary —-he’s already planning the next twist on the format.Resources (mentioned or referenced)BooksUnreasonable Hospitality — Will GuidaraPeople / Brands referencedManna (Bobby Healy) - https://www.manna.aero/Tech Powered Luxury - https://www.instagram.com/techpoweredluxury/?hl=enIreland Fashion Week - https://www.instagram.com/irelandfashionweek/?hl=enRepresent (George Heaton) - https://www.instagram.com/georgeheaton/?hl=enMarchon (Ollie Marchon / bottle + products) - https://www.instagram.com/olliemarchon/?hl=en“Open Residency” episode with George Heaton (hosted by Mark Brazil, co-founder of IKONICK) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tTLUuD06AYTools Gary usesNotionChatGPTCalendlyTypeformManyChatTodoistMoleskine—— Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration on Business, Brain and Body, as well as exclusive events, courses and more, straight to your inbox. It's free! https://www.mrgaryfox.com/subscribe-1 --- Visit my partners Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE Nostra: https://bit.ly/3HHwSMo—-Music Credit: “Nobody Knows” by Andrew Applepie — used under royalty-free license.

Recorded live at The Sugar Club, this special edition of The Entrepreneur Experiment brings three standout Irish founders on stage for an honest, high-energy conversation about building modern businesses in public.Aine Kennedy, founder of The Smooth Company and newly crowned EY Entrepreneur of the Year, shares how she launched her first product with no budget, built everything herself, with the help of her family, and turned documenting the journey on TikTok into 150 million organic views, now shipping to 70 countries worldwide.Nadia Adan, founder of Ashford Motors, breaks down how she went from a small yard and a handful of cars to creating one of Ireland’s most recognisable automotive brands - by obsessing over customer experience, moving faster than traditional dealers, and using social media to build trust at scale.Rounding out the panel, Jack Pierse, co-founder of Wayflyer and now Bold Golf and Happy Stack, reflects on launching a fintech at the start of COVID, scaling to €100 million per month in lending, the realities of hypergrowth, and what he’s doing differently this time. From viral content and community-led growth to staying lean, moving fast, and learning the hard lessons of scale, this live episode is packed with real-world insight, plenty of humour, and unfiltered founder stories. An entertaining and insightful listen for you! Show NotesHosted by Gary Fox, with Aine Kennedy, Nadia Adan, and Jack PierseRecorded live at The Sugar Club, DublinHow Aine Kennedy launched The Smooth Company from scratch and built a global brand by documenting the journey onlineTurning TikTok into a growth engine: 150 million organic views and customers in 70 countriesWhy building in public — without gatekeeping — is changing who feels able to start a businessNadia Adan’s rise from a small car yard to one of Ireland’s most recognisable automotive brandsUsing customer service, flexibility, and speed to outperform traditional main dealersDealing with online trolls when reputation and real-world sales are on the lineThe Wayflyer origin story: launching during COVID and scaling to €100M per month in lendingThe realities of hypergrowth, rapid hiring, and the lessons learned the hard wayWhy Jack Pierse is building his second company, Happy Stack, slower and leanerA candid, entertaining live discussion on growth, community, and staying adaptable in modern businessLinks & ResourcesThe Smooth Company – https://www.thesmoothcompany.com/Ashford Motors - https://www.ashfordmotors.ie/Happy Stack – https://www.happystack.com/Bold Golf - https://bold-golf.com/—— Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration on Business, Brain and Body, as well as exclusive events, courses and more, straight to your inbox. It's free! https://www.mrgaryfox.com/subscribe-1 --- Visit my partners Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE  Nostra: https://bit.ly/3HHwSMo—-Music Credit: “Nobody Knows” by Andrew Applepie — used under royalty-free license.

How do you build a powerful business network when you’re starting with no members, no brand, and no shortcuts?In this Mentor Moment, Trevor McFarlane, founder and CEO of EMIR, shares how he built one of the Middle East’s most influential private CEO networks — starting with a single event, a lot of nerve, and an obsession with trust and curation.Trevor explains why optics matter, how credibility compounds over time, and why protecting the integrity of a network is far more valuable than short-term revenue.🎙️ To hear the full story — including how EMIR scaled across the region and the lessons Trevor learned along the way — listen to Episode 411 of The Entrepreneur Experiment.💡 If you enjoy these short Mentor Moments, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to the podcast for more founder insights every week.—— Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration on Business, Brain and Body, as well as exclusive events, courses and more, straight to your inbox. It's free! https://www.mrgaryfox.com/subscribe-1 --- Visit my partners Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE  Nostra: https://bit.ly/3HHwSMo—-Music Credit: “Nobody Knows” by Andrew Applepie — used under royalty-free license.