2.00 Laura McCarthy, founder, Drink Botanicals Ireland. Laura was selling since the age of 8. She founded her business, Drinks Botanicals, whilst still in college in 2017. Whilst her pals were heading overseas on holidays, Laura stayed at home to mind the shop. Literally. Botanicals is the fancy name for flavours, used in drinks like gin. Since getting listed in Redmonds off license in Ranelagh Dublin she went on to get a listing in 200 shops. But then somebody copied her product. So she launched more products. She is forever 'standing back from the business' to think up new products. And that brought her to her new opportunities, including a premium syrups for cocktails. She's now focussed on the 'on trade' - bars, hotel bars, cocktail bars. She's now heading overseas and she's looking for the right partners and distributors. She explains how she uses Amazon UK for product research. She gives some very useful insights into Amazon as well as the US website Faire.

Her 'hire in a heartbeat' PJ Rigney of Drumshanbo Distillery - obviously!

25.00" Maeve McMahon, CEO OFX Ireland and Europe discusses why banks charge around 3% to switch currency whilst OFX are 'considerably cheaper' to do the exact same transaction. Maeve explains why and how Australian company OFX has based itself in Ireland to take on the European markets. The OFX business model is very interesting and attracts talent by its openness she says. Brexit drove OFX to open in Ireland, and she explains why. Maeve explains how OFX can intervene and cut your costs if like Laura McCarthy, you're using Amazon to sell. The business started in Australia looking after student travellers to Australia and they do cover personal customers as well as businesses. She has met former Meta executive Sheryl Sandberg and she tells us what she's really like.

Her 'hires in a heartbeat' - Marshall Goldsmith, author

47.00" Andrew Walker, co-founder Beacon Business Commercial Services - BBCS

Why it's good to be nice to people in business, because it's like karma, it comes back on you. Here 'nice-guy' Andrew explains how to sell better.

He served a year work experience with Penneys at one stage and has decades of experience in selling with major UK companies. He explains how those companies use focus groups and how a tiny company can do the same research, for free. He says you have to ask the question 'why' five times. He loves Zoom and has been hugely useful for him and his business to grow. He swears by network groups. LinkedIn has proven invaluable for growing his business and he says SMEs must, must use it. SMEs should use tablets for customer feedback. Referral marketing is essential, get a referral and testimonials now. And make sure to have an 'ask'.

His 'hire in a heartbeat' - Kingsley Aikens, master networker

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