Garry Talks

GKMedia.ie
Garry Talks Podcast

A weekly podcast featuring casual interviews that offer an insight into the lives of entrepreneurs, industry experts, musicians, actors, and more. Get to know the stories behind the success, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned. Tune in for an inspiring journey through the lives of remarkable individuals. Discover the passion, the drive, and the dedication that fuel the journeys of our guests. Garry Talks is your window into the inspiring world of achievers. Join Our Tribe now at www.GarryTalks.com

  1. 14 AUG

    #99 Financial Crisis, Transformation & Coaching

    In this week’s episode of 'Garry Talks', host Garry Kelly interviews Máirtín Óg McDonagh who shares his compelling life story, beginning with the loss of his father at age eight and his upbringing in Connemara. He discusses his involvement in Gaelic football, his transition into the business world, and the challenges he faced, including a serious knee injury and the financial crisis. Máirtín reflects on the importance of resilience, community, and mentorship. He also recounts his struggles with mental health, the support he received from family and a life coach, and his journey towards personal growth. Additionally, he describes his adventures in cycling and mountain climbing, emphasising discipline and mental strength.   For more information please visit https://mindovermountains.ie/     - Watch the VIDEO of this episode by joining our tribe today at www.GarryTalks.com -   Please follow Garry Talks on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. Please follow GKMedia.ie on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok. Most importantly – please subscribe to this Podcast.   Timestamps Childhood Reflection (00:00:00)Máirtín shares insights about his tough childhood and the loss of his father. Father's Passing (00:00:40)Describes the emotional experience of his father's funeral at age eight. Father's Illness (00:03:44)Discusses his father's brain tumor diagnosis and the family's struggles during his illness. Family Dynamics (00:05:20)Máirtín reflects on his mother's remarriage and the growth of their family. Childhood Memories (00:07:36)Recalls a happy childhood despite the loss, highlighting his mother's resilience. Sports Involvement (00:10:05)Talks about his early talent in Gaelic football and his involvement in sports. Career Aspirations (00:11:01)Explains his initial desire to join the police force instead of pursuing academia. Galway Football Experience (00:12:04)Shares experiences playing for Galway under-21 and the impact of an injury. Injury Impact (00:12:58)Discusses the devastating effects of a career-ending knee injury on his life. Transition to Management (00:14:40)Describes how his injury led him to coaching and management in sports. Community Impact (00:16:19)Reflects on the importance of Gaelic football in his community and personal satisfaction. Coaching Philosophy (00:18:19)Shares his approach to mentoring young athletes and keeping them focused. Entering Business (00:19:54)Discusses his early entry into business and the influence of his parents' entrepreneurial spirit. Identifying a Niche in Construction (00:20:32)Máirtín discusses recognizing a gap in the construction supply market around his area. Creating Employment (00:21:36)He reflects on the employment he generated and the success of his early business ventures. Struggles with Success (00:22:56)Máirtín shares his internal conflict regarding self-blame despite his achievements. Coaching and Realizations (00:24:02)A coach helps him see the weight of his past successes and the impact of the global financial crisis. Employee Count and Business Growth (00:25:50)He reveals the scale of his operations, including employee numbers and subcontractors involved. Personal Connections and Loyalty (00:26:53)Máirtín emphasizes the loyalty of his employees and the importance of treating them well. First Major Contract (00:28:34)He recounts securing his first significant contract with a major builder, marking a turning point. Handling Pressure in Crisis (00:29:24)Máirtín describes his calm demeanor in crisis situations, contrasting his confidence with underlying pressures. Challenges of Expanding Business (00:31:09)He discusses the difficulties faced as his business grew, particularly maintaining quality and control. The Celtic Tiger Economy (00:35:11)The conversation shifts to the booming economy and the false sense of security it created. Global Financial Crisis Impact (00:36:23)Máirtín shares the devastating effects of the crisis on his businesses

    1h 39m
  2. 9 AUG

    #98 Strong Personal Development - Business Bytes

    In this week’s Business Bytes, host Garry Kelly talks to Alexandra Dotcheva, who has transitioned from a professional violinist to a registered nurse, real estate entrepreneur, holistic coach, and author. Alexandra shares her journey, highlighting her struggles with self-confidence in the competitive classical music industry and her decision to pursue nursing. She discusses the importance of self-discipline, hard work, and confronting real-life challenges. Additionally, Alexandra delves into financial literacy and real estate investment, emphasising the need for understanding financial principles. Her story underscores resilience and the power of embracing new opportunities for personal and professional growth.     - Watch the VIDEO of this episode by joining our tribe today at www.GarryTalks.com -   Please follow Garry Talks on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.  Please follow GKMedia.ie on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok.  Most importantly – please subscribe to this Podcast.     Timestamps Introduction to Alexandra Dotcheva (00:00:05)Garry introduces Alexandra, highlighting her diverse roles in nursing, real estate, coaching, and authorship. Transition from Music to Nursing (00:00:43)Alexandra discusses her shift from being a professional violinist to entering the nursing field. Struggles with Self-Confidence as a Musician (00:01:24)Alexandra reflects on her challenges with self-esteem despite her extensive practice and performance experience. Cultural and Educational Background (00:02:36)She shares her educational journey and the limitations faced as a musician in Bulgaria. Impact of the Iron Curtain on Music (00:03:59)Alexandra explains how the fall of the Iron Curtain affected classical music's status in Bulgaria. Midlife Crisis and Career Reevaluation (00:05:19)At 32, Alexandra faced a crisis and reconsidered her career path due to financial struggles. Parental Influence and Expectations (00:08:45)She discusses her parents' intentions and the pressure of pursuing a music career. Desire for Purpose in Nursing (00:10:48)Alexandra expresses her need to be useful to society, leading her to nursing. Study Habits in Nursing School (00:11:56)She describes her dedication to studying and how she adapted her learning strategies. Self-Discipline and Hard Work (00:12:49)Alexandra emphasises her determination and self-discipline in her new career. Challenges in Financial Literacy (00:14:01)She talks about the difficulties she faced in understanding finance as she transitioned to real estate. The Importance of Facing Real Problems (00:15:42)Alexandra reflects on the need for honesty and integrity in addressing life’s challenges. Robert Kiyosaki's Quadrant Theory (00:17:06)Garry and Alexandra discuss Kiyosaki's concepts of employment, self-employment, business ownership, and investing. Real Estate Ventures (00:17:40)Alexandra shares her experience owning three real estate companies in Arizona. Understanding Tax Implications (00:18:03)Alexandra explains the importance of tax write-offs and business structures for real estate investments. Transitioning to Real Estate Investing (00:19:05)She shares her journey from nursing to becoming an investor, inspired by Robert Kiyosaki. First Property Purchase (00:20:16)Alexandra discusses her first multifamily property and the learning curve of being a landlord. Living Arrangements and Renovations (00:20:41)She describes living in a fourplex and the challenges of renovating rental units. Housing Crisis in Arizona (00:22:43)The conversation shifts to the housing market, highlighting high demand and low supply in Arizona. Encouraging Home Ownership (00:23:11)Alexandra emphasizes the need for individuals to buy properties to stabilize the rental market. The Importance of Financial Literacy (00:24:22)They discuss how financial literacy is crucial to avoid debt and make informed investment decisions. Overview of Alexandra's Book (00:25:55)Garry introduces Alexandra's boo

    36 min
  3. 7 AUG

    #97 Building a Chocolate Factory

    In this week’s episode of 'Garry Talks', host Garry Kelly interviews Gráinne Mullins, an award-winning chef and Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur. Gráinne shares her journey from working in Michelin-starred restaurants to founding Grá Chocolates in her hometown of Kilchreest during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the challenges of starting her business, the overwhelming demand for her hand-painted chocolates, and the importance of customer feedback. Grá also highlights her Kickstarter campaign to fund a new chocolate factory, emphasising community support and her commitment to quality. Her story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of a positive mindset. For more information please visit https://grachocolates.com/     - Watch the VIDEO of this episode by joining our tribe today at www.GarryTalks.com -   Please follow Garry Talks on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. Please follow GKMedia.ie on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok. Most importantly – please subscribe to this Podcast.   Timestamps  Introduction to Gráinne Mullins (00:00:04)Gráinne Mullins is introduced as an award-winning chef and entrepreneur behind Grau Chocolates. Positive Mindset in Challenges (00:00:20)Gráinne discusses the importance of maintaining a positive outlook to overcome challenges. Gráinne's Culinary Journey (00:00:50)She shares her love for food and her early experiences in restaurants. Early Inspirations (00:01:44)Gráinne reflects on cooking shows and chefs that inspired her culinary passion. Transition to Chocolate Making (00:02:01)During lockdown, Gráinne began making chocolates as a creative outlet. Social Media Reaction (00:03:01)Gráinne's social media posts about her treats sparked interest and inquiries for purchases. Unexpected Business Opportunity (00:03:22)She reveals how the pandemic shifted her plans, leading to the idea of starting a business. Business Education (00:04:05)Gráinne explains how she took business courses during lockdown to prepare for future entrepreneurship. Experience as a Pastry Chef (00:04:14)She discusses her background as a pastry chef and her focus on desserts. Work Ethic in High-Pressure Environments (00:04:58)Gráinne highlights the intense work culture in Michelin-starred restaurants and its impact on her. Customer Experience Focus (00:06:14)Gráinne emphasizes the importance of customer service and creating memorable dining experiences. Maintaining Positivity (00:07:25)She reflects on her positive demeanor and the challenges of staying upbeat in business. Embracing Business Cycles (00:08:25)Gráinne shares insights on managing the highs and lows of running a seasonal business. Advice for New Entrepreneurs (00:09:17)She offers guidance to those struggling in the early stages of their business journey. Responding to Customer Complaints (00:10:46)Gráinne discusses the importance of addressing customer issues and building loyalty. Trusting Customer Intentions (00:11:15)She explains the significance of seeing the good in customers and their intentions. Fears in Business (00:12:21)Gráinne expresses her concerns about the uncertainties of the future in business. Team Collaboration (00:13:34)She talks about balancing independent work with the benefits of team collaboration. Launch of Grau Chocolates (00:14:51)Gráinne describes the excitement and challenges during the launch of her chocolate business. Social Media's Role in Success (00:15:26)She credits social media for driving interest and sales during her initial launch. Need for Team Expansion (00:15:53)Gráinne realized the necessity of hiring staff to meet the growing demand for her chocolates. Incredible Growth and Demand (00:17:05)Gráinne discusses the overwhelming demand for her chocolates during the holiday season and their sold-out status. E-commerce Challenges (00:17:44)Gráinne reflects on the challenges faced with their WooCommerce website and the need for efficient customer purchasing. Inspirati

    1h 2m

About

A weekly podcast featuring casual interviews that offer an insight into the lives of entrepreneurs, industry experts, musicians, actors, and more. Get to know the stories behind the success, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned. Tune in for an inspiring journey through the lives of remarkable individuals. Discover the passion, the drive, and the dedication that fuel the journeys of our guests. Garry Talks is your window into the inspiring world of achievers. Join Our Tribe now at www.GarryTalks.com

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