Take The Plunge

In this episode, Ciaran sits down with Lisa Boissel, CEO of Miss Jones Group, to uncover her bold journey from Dublin’s nightclub scene to owning and scaling one of the UK’s most influential networks for personal and executive assistants.Lisa shares how she spotted a gap in the PA community, took the risk of acquiring Miss Jones during COVID, and leaned into tech and AI to modernise the business. From event planning stress to leadership growth, this conversation is packed with real-world insights for anyone navigating entrepreneurship, acquisitions, or community building.🎯 Key Takeaways:• Lisa transitioned from nightlife to entrepreneurship with no formal business background• She saw an opportunity in the PA & EA space and turned it into a thriving network• Acquiring Miss Jones during COVID was a high-stakes move rooted in conviction• Technology and AI have become essential to business operations and customer service• Community-building and strong relationships remain core to her event planning approach• Lisa prioritizes hiring people who are eager to grow with the business🔥 Memorable Quotes:“You can always go back and get a job — so take the risk.”“I always trust my intuition on things.“I want them to grow with the company.”⏱️ Chapters:00:00 – Intro to Lisa’s Journey01:25 – From Nightclubs to Business Ownership05:44 – Spotting the Gap in the PA Market07:28 – Growing the Miss Jones Network09:48 – Using Tech to Scale11:57 – The Challenges of Tech Development17:48 – AI Integration for Customer Experience19:25 – Buying Miss Jones During COVID23:25 – Navigating Event Planning Stress25:10 – Building a Strong Team30:21 – Expanding into New Markets32:47 – Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs34:28 – Lisa’s Vision for the Future🔍 Keywords:entrepreneurship, scaling a business, women in business, event planning, community building, PA network, acquisition, business technology, AI in business, startup growth, SME success Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a podcast for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs who are thinking of taking the plunge! This week Ciaran and his guest of this episode, Russ Wakeham, the founder and CEO of Two Drifters Distillery – a premium British rum company with a unique, carbon-negative footprint. In this episode, they dive deep into Russ's journey in the spirits industry, where he shares his experience of building a sustainable brand from the ground up.Two Drifters Distillery is not just known for its high-quality rum, but also for its commitment to sustainability, as the entire production process leaves a positive impact on the environment. Russ explains how they have combined their passion for great rum with innovative environmental practices to create a company that's both profitable and planet-friendly.Website: (https://twodriftersrum.com/)LinkedIn: [Russ Wakeham] (https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-wakeham-984a1938/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app)Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/2DriftersRum/)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/twodriftersrum/?hl=en)Ready to start your own business? You can get a head start with support from Swoop! Learn more about Swoop here 👉 https://app.swoopfunding.com/stageFollow Swoop on our social media platforms as well! LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/swoopfunding/?viewAsMember=true)Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/SwoopFunding)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/swoopfunding/?hl=en) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Take The Plunge, a podcast for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs ready to take the plunge into the world of business! Join your host, Ciaran, as he dives into an inspiring conversation with this week’s guest, Ernesto Moreno—a powerhouse in the entrepreneurial world.Ernesto's journey began in 2003 when he moved from Venezuela to the UK at just 23 years old with only £300 in his pocket. Fast forward two years, and he had already opened his first Subway restaurant with his business partners. This was just the beginning. Over the next few years, Ernesto expanded his Subway franchise to 15 restaurants across the South West of England, and his entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. He went on to co-found two more franchise businesses, CeX and Miniso, and co-create Arepa & Co, a Venezuelan-inspired restaurant chain in London, now boasting four thriving locations.Today, Ernesto's ventures employ over 450 people across 32 stores and four distinct brands. In this episode, he shares the secrets behind his success, the challenges he overcame, and his vision for Arepa & Co as he works to make it a household name.Beyond his active role in his businesses, Ernesto is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs launch and grow their own ventures. He is a seasoned business consultant and people development specialist, with over 22 years of experience working with top consulting firms like Atos Consulting and PwC. Ernesto also delivers Leadership Development and Management Training programs in partnership with edoMidas, a renowned management consultancy.If you dream of taking the plunge yourself, you can get a good start with help from Swoop Funding! Learn more about Swoop here 👉 https://app.swoopfunding.com/stage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a podcast for business owners & aspiring business owners who are thinking of taking the plunge! This week Ciaran and his guest of this episode, female founder Lucy McCarraher discuss her journey in the publishing world. Lucy is the co-founder and CEO of the Book Magic AI book-writing app, co-founder of Rethink Press, and founder of the Business Book Awards. She is a Director of Dent Global and the Publish Mentor for the Key Person of Influence programme.Author of 13 books, including "A Book of One’s Own" and "Bookbuilder," Lucy is the UK's leading business book mentor, having guided over a thousand entrepreneurs and experts in writing and publishing their books. She hosts the ABOO online support group for women authors and runs women's mastermind and fiction-writing programmes.Lucy started her first publishing company at university and has since worked in publishing and media. She holds a postgraduate diploma in teaching Creative Writing and Literacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciaran and his guest of this episode, female founder Emma Thompson, talk about the processes of becoming a beekeeper, how to make a business from a hobby and many more bee-related topics. Follow Ciaran and Thompson down the rabbit holes of beekeeping and Emma's story of how she started her business Bee Haven Body Care, a body care brand selling products made with Emma's own honey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode, Ciaran Burke gets to interview female entrepreneur and business owner Deidre Mc Gettrick. Deidre, or "Dee" as Ciaran calls her, is the founder and CEO of the furniture and furnishing retail website ufurnish.com. The idea behind ufurnish.com is to bring furniture from every possible retailer and manufacturer together, to make the furniture-buying journey easier for the customer. She shares her journey, from idea to successful business, so listen closely because you can definitely learn something. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this edition of 'Take The Plunge', our own Ciaran Burke interviews renowned British businesswoman Sháá Wasmund MBE, delving into her many past ventures and experiences. What Wasmund is, is hard to explain as she has been a boxing manager, a business owner and an author, but most of all she is headstrong and ambitious. Through her many years of working, from when she was barely 20 to today, she has stayed determined and keeps working to better herself and the industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ciaran meets Pamela Laird a renowned entrepreneur and the creative force behind MoxiLoves, a thriving beauty and lifestyle brand that has taken the industry by storm. With her keen business acumen and unwavering determination, Pamela has built an empire from the ground up, providing invaluable guidance to aspiring business owners and anyone seeking inspiration to pursue their dreams of owning a business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ciaran met with the co-founder of LABELL-D, Julia Vendramin. Julia discusses her long spanning career in fashion and her learnings from starting her own sustainable fashion business. This episode is packed with insights on starting and scaling your own business as well as defining your brand identity.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of 'Take the plunge' Swoop Founder Ciaran Burke is speaking to Inverse Funding Founder Jamie Harford. Find out how Jamie went from running a healthy fast food business in 2012 to being responsible for 20% of funding raises in Europe (2020).   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finding your purpose, accounting and whiskey with Andrew Van De Beek. In this week's episode of 'Take the plunge' Swoop Founder Ciaran Burke is speaking to illumin8 Founder Andrew Van De Beek. The Aussie Accountant depicts the highs and lows of his journey as an Accountant and a Founder. Watch to find out more! Find funding for your business now for free, register with us at https://swoopfunding.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=avb-podcast More from Swoop: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SwoopFunding Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swoopfunding/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwoopFunding Where else to listen: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qCQwfI Find Andrew at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvandebeek/ https://www.illumin8.com.au/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex MacDonald, Co-Founder of North Point Distillery tells us about his journey from working within government trade to starting up a distillery with Struan Mackie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neil Potts and Rachel Hugh, Co-founders of The Vurger co tell us about their journey from being told that no one wants a vegan fast food restaurant to now being in the process of opening up their 4th successful location.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erifili Gounari, Founder of the Z link tells about her journey of starting up during Covid and growing her successful business whilst studying full time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Brees, Founder and CEO of un:hurd tells us about his journey from his determination to work at Universal Music to realising his passion for helping independent artists.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claudia Gwinnutt, Founder and CEO of CIRCLA tells us all about her journey from jumping around in the finance world for nine years to taking a sabbatical and finding her true calling for CIRCLA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Drake, Co-Founder and CEO of Bad Moon Talent tell us about his story from working for Activision Blizzard to setting up his own Esports Talent Management Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul David Perry & William Gadsby Peet, Co-Founders of Literal Humans tell us about their story of stopping what they were doing and setting up their agency together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Co-Founder of Unplugged, Hector Hughes tells us about his journey from going on a 10-day retreat in the Himalayas to quitting his job and starting up his own off-grid cabin retreat company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Founder and CEO of Be-Hookd, George James tells us about his journey from working for The X Factor to starting up his own star-studded marketing agency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.