The Entrepreneur Experiment

Gary Fox
  • 0.0 (0)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

Discover how world-class entrepreneurs, elite thinkers, and peak performers master success in business, body, and brain. Every week, I sit down with extraordinary people to explore how they build thriving businesses, maintain peak physical health, and cultivate sharp, resilient minds. Together, we’ll discover the habits, systems, and experiments they use to create their unique formulas for success. Join me as you learn how to build like a founder, train like an athlete, and think like an artist—so we can all find our formula for success. This isn’t just a podcast; it’s a blueprint for a new kind of founder—one who balances ambition with wellness, hard work with mental fitness, and success with purpose.

  1. €0 Funding, €7.5m Profit, 2000 Events a Year: The Bingo Loco Blueprint with Will Meara

    13 HR AGO

    €0 Funding, €7.5m Profit, 2000 Events a Year: The Bingo Loco Blueprint with Will Meara

    Will Meara is the founder behind Bingo Loco — the 3-hour bingo rave that sells chaos as an experience and somehow turns strangers into mates in the space of one night. In this episode, Will breaks down how Bingo Loco went from a scrappy experiment in Dublin to a global live-experience machine — running roughly 2,000 events a year, active in around 270+ cities, with a team of ~276 people and ~200+ performers (MCs, DJs and talent) powering the shows. We get into the real mechanics most people miss: why Bingo Loco works as “competitive socialising” (a focal point that removes the awkwardness of meeting up) the win-win commercial model that makes venues want you back how they localise every show so it feels native (Texas ≠ New York ≠ Melbourne) how you keep quality when you’re doing 40–60 shows at the same time on peak weekends the experimentation framework Will uses to launch new concepts: design → test variables → stress-test scalability → rollout We also flip the mic: Gary shares why the new studio is built around hospitality — making every step of the guest experience feel effortless — and Will shares the belief most founders won’t like: sometimes you need to smash your own structures before bureaucracy kills growth. If you’re building in events, community, hospitality, or any experience-led business — this is a masterclass in distribution, localisation, and disciplined creativity. In this episode Why Bingo Loco works as competitive socialising (a focal point that removes the awkwardness of meeting up) The “win-win” model: how to structure deals so venues genuinely want you back How to scale globally without losing the magic: localise everything (music, humour, pacing, crowd expectations) Why “you can’t multiply chaos without discipline” (and what discipline looks like backstage) How they recruit and train talent for a 3-hour live show (and why it’s so hard to do well) The feedback loops that protect quality: customer feedback + venue feedback + mystery shopping The framework Will uses to launch new concepts: design → test variables → stress-test scalability → rollout Why distribution is the real prize: once you have venues + trust, you can roll out new IP layers fast Founder lesson: too much structure kills growth, too little structure kills scale — and sometimes you must break your own rules Links & resources Guest / company Bingo Loco (official): https://www.bingoloco.com/ Locomotive HQ (Bingo Loco + concepts): https://locomotivehq.com/ Locomotive Live — Bingo Loco page: https://www.locomotivelive.com/bingoloco Will Meara on LinkedIn: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/williammeara Book mentioned Shantaram (Gregory David Roberts) Tool mentioned Brick (phone focus device/app): https://getbrick.app/ Sponsors Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26 Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26 Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk

    1h 43m
  2. EE480: Mentor Moment - Rory King - The Content Machine Behind Rory’s Travel Club

    4 DAYS AGO

    EE480: Mentor Moment - Rory King - The Content Machine Behind Rory’s Travel Club

    In this Mentor Moment, Rory King - founder of Rory’s Travel Club - breaks down the content engine behind building a simple, low-cost membership business at scale. He shares how they publish across multiple platforms every day, the split between posts that convert (offers), posts that build trust (reviews/testimonials), and posts that drive engagement (questions, entertainment), plus why “value first” is the only strategy that lasts. If you’re trying to grow an audience, build a personal brand, or turn attention into recurring revenue, this is packed with practical takeaways you can apply immediately. For the full conversation with Rory, listen to Episode 421 of The Entrepreneur Experiment. Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26 Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk

    8 min
  3. EE479: Dr Caitriona Ryan & Dr Niki Ralph: 40,000 Patients a Year at the Institute of Dermatologists

    19 FEB

    EE479: Dr Caitriona Ryan & Dr Niki Ralph: 40,000 Patients a Year at the Institute of Dermatologists

    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 Notes Why 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 patients The difference between medical dermatology and cosmetic dermatology How they protect standards at scale: meetings, feedback loops, SOPs, and hiring The COVID moment that forced a pivot - and led to a new surgical model Their longevity philosophy: healthspan over lifespan The “longevity hype” they’re most sceptical of — and what they’d focus on instead A simple, no-fuss skincare framework for founders (men + women) Links & Resources Institute of Dermatologists (IoD): https://instituteofdermatologists.ie IoD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instituteofdermatologists/?hl=en ID 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 episode WHOOP: https://www.whoop.com Oura Ring: https://ouraring.com Book — 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-skincare Episode sponsors Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26 Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk Disclaimer This 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.

    1h 16m
  4. EE478: Mentor Moment - Seán Brett - Why ‘Not Fitting In’ Can Be Your Advantage

    14 FEB

    EE478: Mentor Moment - Seán Brett - Why ‘Not Fitting In’ Can Be Your Advantage

    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/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26 Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk

    8 min

  5. 12 FEB

    EE477 - AI Is Changing Business Fast: Here's What Actually Matters with Ray Ryan, Noledge Group

    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 → AI The next shift: wearables + edge computing + AI agents Why voice is the “unlock” (and keyboards are on the way out) Business is experimentation: testing, packaging, and customer psychology Scaling through acquisitions — and why “audience” matters in business Ray’s best advice: cash flow and enthusiasm (and why enthusiasm wins About the guest Ray 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 & resources The Noledge Group: https://noledge.ie/ Ray Ryan (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/in/rayryanossm Power Law of Podcasting (course): https://stan.store/garyfox/p/the-podcasting-power-law Our Sponsors Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26 Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk Follow & support the show If 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=qr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrgaryfox Newsletter: https://www.mrgaryfox.com/subscribe-1

    1h 15m
  6. EE476: Mentor Moment - Redefining Success with Founders of Ella & Jo: Charlene Flanagan & Niamh Ryan

    7 FEB

    EE476: Mentor Moment - Redefining Success with Founders of Ella & Jo: Charlene Flanagan & Niamh Ryan

    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/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26 Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk

    8 min
  7. EE475: Founder Finance 101: The Simple Money System Founders Actually Need with Diarmuid Corcoran

    5 FEB

    EE475: Founder Finance 101: The Simple Money System Founders Actually Need with Diarmuid Corcoran

    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 note This 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 notes What you’ll learn Why the “rich get richer” is often compounding in action Why Ireland has a unique relationship with money (scarcity mindset + property-first thinking) The hidden risk of “safe” cash: inflation eroding purchasing power Time 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 wins The founder dilemma: all eggs in the business and no personal de-risking plan Pensions: why they can be tax-efficient, protective, and misunderstood The “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 early Not paying a spouse/partner (where relevant) Being far too cautious in long-term pension funds Missing employer pension matching More 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/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26 Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk   Book Recommendations General 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.

    1h 26m
  8. EE473 - Mentor Moment: Keilidh Cashell on Trust - The Real Currency of Influencing

    1 FEB

    EE473 - Mentor Moment: Keilidh Cashell on Trust - The Real Currency of Influencing

    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/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26 Rory’s Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26 Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk

    8 min
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About

Discover how world-class entrepreneurs, elite thinkers, and peak performers master success in business, body, and brain. Every week, I sit down with extraordinary people to explore how they build thriving businesses, maintain peak physical health, and cultivate sharp, resilient minds. Together, we’ll discover the habits, systems, and experiments they use to create their unique formulas for success. Join me as you learn how to build like a founder, train like an athlete, and think like an artist—so we can all find our formula for success. This isn’t just a podcast; it’s a blueprint for a new kind of founder—one who balances ambition with wellness, hard work with mental fitness, and success with purpose.

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