AIBF Business Talk

Episode 12: John Romanoski, MMP Living - How to use Amazon to reach international markets

John Romanoski is the General Manager of MMP Living, an international eCommerce company that has emerged as a major force on the Amazon Marketplace.

American by birth and adopted by his wife's native Ireland, John has developed a passion for advising and helping Irish businesses use the Amazon Marketplace to achieve growth and reach new customers.  

MMP Living was established in 2008 with the intent of building a customer-driven, product-focused online retail experience within the worldwide Amazon marketplace.

The company specialises in selling homeware on the Amazon marketplace but the brand has used its significant market expertise to move into consultancy.

It now also operates as a channel management company that works closely with brands and products to separate them from the pack on the Amazon Marketplace.

In this week’s episode of AIBF Business Talk, Elaine spoke to John about the opportunities that exist for Irish businesses in the post Brexit era and how they can leverage Amazon to reach international markets. 

John has recently been acknowledged as the All-Star USA - Irish Business Person of the Year in recognition of his impact on trade and commerce in Ireland since setting up his base in the country.

Episode 11: Sarah McLachlann & Paul Hickey, Pilates Performance - How to run a business with your life partner

Sarah MacLachlann founded her business 25 years ago after finding relief from her back problems through pilates.

She discovered a passion for helping people to feel their best through her empathetic approach and dedication to the practice of pilates. 

Today, Sarah is a 2nd generation Pilates Master and Educator and her business has been named All-Star Pilates Studio Of The Year 2021.

Sarah’s husband Paul Hickey completes the ideal partnership by ensuring technology, systems & procedures are adopted, preparing the business for its next phase of growth.

In this week’s episode of AIBF Business Talk, I caught up with Sarah & Paul for a fascinating chat about the family business and its exciting future. 

In her own words “Sarah’s passion is “to help and teach others how to feel their best, which naturally results in looking their best too.”

Pilates Performance has successfully achieved Business All-Star accreditation for 2 years in a row and has positioned itself as a market leader in the industry. 

The All-Star business has been recognised for its conduct in the areas of trust, performance and customer - centricity.

Episode10: Bofin Consultancy - How to leverage the right mindset for success

Bofin Consultancy is a successful All-Star business consultancy founded by Mags Boland Murphy.

Bofin provides simple professional and progressive business consultancy, training and advisory support to businesses who are focused and committed to progress and sustainable success.

Mags draws upon a wealth of experience to help leaders and owners to achieve their business goals.

In this week's episode of AIBF Business Talk, she spoke to Elaine about the positive mindset and resilience that has contributed to her success.

Mags also offered some invaluable advice for leaders on how they can overcome the challenges they face. 

In her own words, Bofin Consultancy exists “to help businesses and business owners reach their full potential - because profit is not something to add on at the end, it is something to plan for in the beginning”.

Bofin Consultancy has successfully achieved Business All-Star accreditation for 2 years in a row and has positioned itself as a market leader in business consultancy. 

The All-Star business has been recognised for its conduct in the areas of trust, performance, and customer centricity.

Episode 9: Content Llama - A disruptor in the marketplace, raising finance, expanding globally and running a successful business partnership

Content Llama is a successful Irish company co-founded by Karina Kelly and Joleen Looney. 

The dynamic duo are disrupting the eCommerce retail space through their innovative software and service that empowers retailers with a single feed of tailored digital product content.

From sourcing product images and descriptions through to tailoring each image and description to meet a retailer’s needs. Content Llama is creating a whole new category in the eCommerce retail space.

In this week's episode of AIBF Business Talk, Elaine spoke to Joleen Looney who offered invaluable advice on how to be an effective partner in business and how to run a successful company. 

Content Llama is the All-Ireland Business Foundation’s All-Star Breakthrough Business 2021 and is scaling at pace having successfully fundraised €2.5M this year.   

Content Llama’s exemplary performance can be traced back to its dynamic leaders, Joleen and Karina who bring years of expertise, solutions, and fun to everything they do.

Like Karina, Joleen is proud to form part of a female-led business and is dedicated to helping other women to achieve their entrepreneurial dream.

Episode 8: Vicki McGowan - Start-up advice for small business success

REVA is an Irish company that effectively supports pre-start-ups and early-stage growth micro & small businesses to succeed.

Vicki McGowan founded the successful business in 2015 having built up more than 25 years of experience working for semi-state bodies, corporates and micro-businesses. 

Seeing an opportunity to share her market knowledge and expertise with early stage entrepreneurs, she now helps individuals gain confidence and clarity around setting up and successfully running their own businesses. 

In this episode of AIBF Business Talk, Vicki spoke to Elaine about her fascinating journey and offered some invaluable advice to small, micro and startup businesses that want to succeed. 

Vicki McGowan has been recognised by the All-Ireland Business Foundation as an All-Star Master Practitioner in Solo Entrepreneur Startup Support. 

She joins a prestigious group of individuals who are accredited thought leaders in their fields of work by the AIBF.

Vicki is a trusted source of expertise who moves and inspires people with innovative ideas. Most importantly she turns those ideas into reality and knows and shows how to replicate her success.

Episode 7: Gary Grimes - Take these steps to improve your chances of securing financing

Simplí Business Finance is one of Ireland's fastest growing business finance intermediaries, specialising in the accessing of business loans and asset financing for Irish companies. 

Simplí delivers tailored funding solutions for each of their clients based on their unique financial needs.

The business founded by Gary Grimes was recently named “Best SME Finance Consultancy Company 2021” at the Irish Enterprise Awards hosted by EU Business News.

Gary has more than 15 years of experience in the finance industry and has worked with countless numbers of SMEs in all sectors. 

The Dublin entrepreneur has been recognised by the All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF) as a thought leader in the area of SME and Commercial Finance.

Gary joins a prestigious group of individuals who are accredited thought leaders in their fields of work by the AIBF.

Gary is a firm believer in the KISS method of “keeping it super simple” and was inspired to start his own business by his love for working with SMEs and seeing the positive impact that financing can have on small companies.

Episode 6: Mark Prendergast - How to effectively motivate your teams and drive up performance levels

Mark Prendergast started his leadership consultancy business in 2017 after serving as a Senior Irish Army Officer. 

With more than 30 years experience in developing high performing military leaders and leading multinational teams in complex and hostile environments, Mark is a tried and tested leadership expert.

In this episode of AIBF Business Talk Mark imparted some brilliant leadership advice on how to effectively inspire and motivate your teams to drive up performance levels in your business. 

Mark has been able to draw on experience gained on eight overseas operational tours of duty to Lebanon, Syria, Kosova, Liberia and the Congo to serve his diverse clientele. 

His practical perspective on leadership in action has enabled his clients to understand, adapt and scale their organisations in response to the demands of Covid 19.

Mark's motto is: “Amateurs Practice Until They Get It Right; Professionals Practice Until They Can’t Get It Wrong”.

Episode 5: Martin Murtagh - Why effective business relationships are essential for growth

Martin Murtagh is the founder of the Growth Company. Known fondly as Marty he hails from Newry in the North of Ireland but he has a truly global reach. 

The Growth Company helps business to business professional services and consulting firms with actionable LinkedIn marketing plans that generate more leads so that they can win more business.

With almost 20 years’ digital marketing experience and over a decade in social selling, Martin’s strategies have helped hundreds of businesses to strengthen their relationships with their customers online.

In this episode, Martin spoke to Elaine about why effective business relationships are essential for growth and offered some practical advice on how to build better relationships both online and in person. 

Martin and his team are dedicated to making a positive difference and leaving a legacy of growth.

Episode 4: Kamil Kus - “I set up my business because I wanted to give something back to Ireland”

Kamil Kus is the founder and owner of Irishdirectory.ie, the newest online directory for Irish businesses. 

He started his market-leading enterprise to provide a simple and affordable directory solution for business owners all over the country. 

Originally from Poland, Kamil lives in Offaly with his wife and son and has spent over 16 years building valuable relationships within the Irish business community. 

He spoke to Elaine about his business journey and about how he was inspired to give something back to a country that gave him so much.

Irish Directory has been recognised with Rising Star Accreditation from the All-Ireland Business Foundation in recognition of the company’s positive impact on Irish trade and commerce.

Episode 3: David O'Brien - How exceptional customer service can safeguard your business future

Cork Coach Hire has been serving its loyal customers from its Cork City base for more than 25 years.

The market leading business provides luxury coach transport for a myriad of different customers in various industries such as tourism, corporate, private hire, school transport, and much more.

Managing Director of the company David O’Brien joined his father’s business in 2017 after cutting his teeth at the Herlihy Supermarket Group. 

David’s path into the business was not straightforward and in this episode, he spoke to Elaine about the many ups and downs he experienced on his journey to the top of the family business.

He also revealed some of the lessons he has learned along the way - including the importance of versatility and excellent customer service to the past, present, and future of Cork Coach Hire.

Cork Coach Hire has achieved Business All-Star Accreditation from the All-Ireland Business Foundation in recognition of the company’s conduct in the areas of performance, trust, commitment, and customer-centricity.