The Hidden Hustle Podcast

TheHiddenHustlePodcast
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The Hidden Hustle Podcast - a business podcast focused on learning from some of the best business owners across a wide range of industries. Hosted by two brother Alan & Sean Holmes with a shared dream to own our own business one day. But before that day comes, we’re on a mission — to learn, to grow, to build a network and to shine a light on the kinds of business owners we admire most: the ones you don’t always hear about. We hope you enjoy these weekly episodes and learn something new about these incredible businesses and the people behind them. Happy learning, Alan & Sean Holmes

  1. 1d ago

    EE31 Jason Lynch - Quantum Computing will Definitely be Bigger than AI.

    Could Quantum Computing Be Bigger Than AI? That’s one of the biggest questions we explored with Jason Lynch, CEO of Equal1, on the latest episode of The Hidden Hustle Podcast. Jason has spent the last 7.5 years building Equal1, with an ambition that is anything but small: to become the biggest quantum computing company in the world. What makes the story remarkable is the technology Equal1 has developed. Jason and his team have spent years proving that something some of the smartest people in the world — including Nobel Prize-winning physicists and some of the world’s largest technology companies — believed couldn’t be done, actually could. Equal1’s vision is to become a fabless quantum semiconductor company, creating quantum technology that can move beyond the laboratory and eventually integrate into existing semiconductor and data centre infrastructure. The potential is enormous. Quantum computing could transform areas such as drug discovery, battery technology, logistics, energy and financial optimisation — tackling problems that are incredibly difficult for classical computers. We discuss:* Why Jason believes quantum computing could ultimately be bigger than AI.* What quantum computing actually is, explained simply.* Equal1’s ambition to become the world’s biggest quantum computing company.* The remarkable technology Equal1 has developed.* How they proved some of the world’s smartest scientists wrong.* Why Equal1 believes quantum computing can be built using existing semiconductor infrastructure.* The company’s vision to become a fabless quantum semiconductor company.* Raising around $80m and why they plan to raise significantly more.* Equal1’s first commercial product and what it means for the industry.* Working with customers including the European Space Agency.* The trillion-dollar problems quantum computing could potentially solve.* Why making quantum technology usable could be more important than simply having the most powerful machine.* Why the next Nvidia of computing could potentially emerge from the quantum industry right here in Ireland.A fascinating conversation about a technology that could fundamentally change the way we compute.Link to Equal1 - https://www.equal1.com/ Follow Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lynch-cork-ireland/

  2. Aug 11

    EE30 Karl Zimmerer - Ireland's €200mil Water Engineering Company going Global

    Do you understand the complexities involved in getting a simple glass of clean drinking water? In this episode, we sit down with Karl Zimmerer, founder of Glanua, to hear the incredible journey of building one of Ireland’s leading water and wastewater engineering businesses and taking it international. Karl and his team has doubled the companies revenue in the last 4 years with Glanua on track to hit north of €200m in 2026. Karl explains the hidden engineering behind something most of us take completely for granted: water. From collecting and treating raw water to delivering clean drinking water, collecting wastewater, treating it and ultimately finding ways to reuse the resulting resources, Glanua provides end-to-end engineering solutions across the entire water cycle. We discuss: - How rainwater actually becomes the clean drinking water coming out of your tap. - Why Dublin’s reliance on a single major water source presents such a significant challenge. - What Glanua actually does and the enormous complexity behind water and wastewater infrastructure. - Why Glanua builds much of its equipment and infrastructure directly on-site. - Why data centres require significant amounts of water and the solutions Glanua is developing to address this. - Karl’s struggles getting the business off the ground and why delivering an exceptional first job became one of his most powerful marketing tools. - Why relentless innovation and constantly challenging the status quo allowed Glanua to compete against businesses generating billions in revenue while they were turning over just €40–50 million. - Growing revenue from approximately €40 million in 2014 to €80 million in 2019. - How diversifying outside their core expertise created major problems for the wider group when COVID hit. - The incredibly difficult cash flow challenges Karl faced as profits and cash generated by the core water business were needed to support struggling parts of the wider group. - How Karl stepped up to manage the combined Irish and UK operations through one of the most challenging periods in the company’s history. - How Glanua ultimately became part of BHSL, led by Denis Brosnan, and why the deal proved to be such a successful move for the business. - Glanua’s expansion into the US and why M&A and building an exceptional team on the ground will be crucial to cracking the American market. - Karl’s perspective on work-life balance after dealing with loss of his daughter when she was young and decades of building and scaling businesses. - And the first job he recommends his own kids get — and why.Links & Resources: Glanua : https://glanua.com/ Follow Karl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-zimmerer/

  3. Jul 7

    The Defining Moment - From idea to international success: the step-by-step journey of building a global business across 60+ countries.

    Paul McCarthy has recently stepped back from the day-to-day operations at Snapfix, so what better time to look back on what was key to getting his journey up and running. In this short but powerful episode, we unpack the journey from a simple kitchen-table idea to a global software company used by teams across more than 60 countries. Paul shares a practical masterclass in startup execution, explaining how he validated the market before building the product, why customer feedback mattered more than investor feedback in the early days, and how a relentless focus on simplicity became Snapfix’s biggest competitive advantage. From bootstrapping while still working to raising investment three years later, this episode is packed with actionable lessons for founders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to turn an idea into a scalable business. Snapfix has grown from a prototype with just 20–30 users to a global maintenance and operations platform serving customers across hospitality, facilities management, education, manufacturing, and property sectors worldwide. 10 Key Takeaways from the Episode Start with the problem, not the product. Paul spent significant time validating the market before investing heavily in development.Build a prototype early. Even if it’s “horrible” compared to the finished product, getting something in front of customers is invaluable.Show customers before investors. Customer feedback shaped the real product and provided proof of demand.Ruthlessly eliminate unnecessary features. Simplicity became Snapfix’s biggest differentiator.Find a co-founder who complements your skills and shares your long-term vision.Don’t rush to raise money. Paul waited three years before seeking investment, focusing first on product-market fit.Customer feedback is everything. Paul believes founders should be willing to talk to customers at any time. Some of Snapfix’s best ideas came directly from these conversations.Focus on difficult niches first. Solving complex problems can create stronger barriers to entry and deeper expertise.Study great founders. Lessons from entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos heavily influenced Snapfix’s approach to product design, growth, and simplicity.Keep improving by simplifying. Snapfix continually reviews its product, removing features that customers don’t use and doubling down on what they do. This episode is a blueprint for anyone trying to build a startup from scratch, validate an idea, and scale globally without losing sight of what customers actually want.

  4. Jun 25

    EE29: Swifter - Building a Number 1 Best Selling Running Product on Amazon with Nadia Power & James Madden

    SummaryWhat does it take to build a No.1 Best Selling Product on Amazon in the US while competing at the highest level of sport?This week on the podcast, Alan sat down with Swifter founders James Madden and Nadia Power to hear how they’ve gone from launching a single running vest on Amazon to becoming a No.1 Amazon bestseller across Ireland and the US, selling in Amazon markets in Australia and the UK, while also breaking into major retailers including Brown Thomas and Lifestyle Sports.In 2023 the pair saw an opportunity with the massive social running boom that had taken place during covid to design a practical, comfortable and affordable running vest.What stood out most was how they went about selling their first product - on Amazon before setting up a brand, website or social media pages. They tested demand for the product first while also letting amazon deal with all the logistics. Their sporting backgrounds have become their competitive advantage. Rather than guessing what runners want, they’ve lived the problems themselves and built products to solve them. Nadia competed in the 2020 Japan Olympics 800 Meter and James plays Hurling for Dublin. Today, Swifter has sold more than 120,000 running vests, expanded internationally, and continues to grow at an incredible pace, with revenue reaching an impressive 7 figures and expected to double this year!But beyond the business success, this conversation is packed with lessons on resilience, personal branding, continuous learning and what it really takes to perform at a high level.A brilliant conversation with two founders who are building something special.Key Topics we discussed:Spotting the social running boom early and the need for a practical and affordable running vest.Nadia shared the reality of dealing with injuries after reaching the highest level of athletics as an Olympian. Swifter launched its first product on Amazon before building a large brand or audience.Their competitive advantage comes from being athletes who deeply understand the problems their customers face. Why they choose Amazon as their first point of sale.Swifter expanded from Ireland into international markets, including Australia, through Amazon.The company has sold more than 120,000 running vests and earned Amazon bestseller status across multiple markets.Personal branding is becoming an increasingly important growth lever for modern founders.As the company scales, the focus is shifting from hustle to systems, processes and building a team.Some nightmare stories that showed true resilience to pull through from. Links & resources: Swifter: https://swifterstore.com/Follow Nadia and James on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiapower/https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-j-madden/Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/ linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy

  5. Jun 9

    The Defining Moment: Is M&A the only way to scale at speed and reach Unicorn Status?

    From £500,000 Spent to Zero Customers… to International Expansion In this episode of The Hidden Hustle Podcast, Jonathan Larbey, Founder & CEO of T-Pro, shares the hard lessons learned while scaling a healthcare technology business internationally. After achieving early success in Ireland, T-Pro attempted to replicate the same strategy in the UK. The result?  Nearly £500,000 spent over two years Not a single customer acquired Jonathan explains the pivotal changes that transformed their fortunes and set the company on a path to international growth.  Why T-Pro partnered with private equity firm Livingbridge and the role they played in accelerating growth  The reality of entering new markets organically – and why it can be slow, expensive, and incredibly challenging  Why T-Pro chose Australia and New Zealand as key expansion markets  The strategy behind acquiring two businesses in Australia and one in New Zealand  The challenges of integrating teams across multiple countries, time zones, and cultures  The integration framework T-Pro follows to maximise the success of every acquisition  Why they didn’t target the US market first  How they funded an acquisition when traditional bank financing couldn’t move fast enough  Why Jonathan has no interest in minority investments  How M&A will play a crucial role in T-Pro’s ambition to achieve Unicorn status This conversation is packed with practical lessons for founders, operators, and anyone interested in scaling businesses through acquisition and international expansion.

  6. May 25

    EE27: Joe Hogan - Building and Selling a large telecom software business from Ireland

    The $180 million Irish tech company you may never have heardof but one that helped revolutionise mobile phone billing worldwide from Park West in Dublin 12. In this episode, we sit down with Joe Hogan, founder of Openet, to hear the incredible 22-year rollercoaster journey of building one of Ireland’s biggest tech success stories before Openet sold the company to NASDAQ-listed Amdocs for $180 million in 2021. Joe explains how Openet solved the complex challenge of mobile data billing, winning major global contracts with companies like AT&T and Vodafone. At its peak, Openet grew to $110 million in revenue with 86 customers worldwide, competing against some of the biggest telecom giants through elite engineering talent and relentless innovation. We discuss: Building Openet from startup to global telecom leader.Winning massive contracts with AT&T and Vodafone.Why Joe never became CEO and stayed focused on product.Scaling a company relied on by hundreds of millions daily.A 7-year gruelling legal battle with NASDAQ listed Amdocs, before eventually selling to them a few years after the legal battle was settled. Nearly floating on NASDAQ before Facebook disrupted the market.Nearly selling Openet for $360 million in 2014… twice the valuation it eventual sold for!The difficult decision to lay off 110 staff.Joe’s investments in Irish startups across space tech, food, and automotive sectors.His role as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year judge and what he’s learned from Ireland’s top founders. Links & resources: Openet: https://www.linkedin.com/company/openet/?originalSubdomain=ie Follow Joe on Linkedln: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joehogansocial/ Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy

  7. May 13

    EE 26: Scaling the Family Business from £4 million to £50 million - Energystore MD Connor McCandless

    Description We had a brilliant conversation on the podcast with Connor McCandless from Energystore a company transforming construction through innovative insulation products that help homes stay warmer, more energy efficient and quicker to build. Connor shared the incredible journey of scaling the familybusiness from £4M turnover to £50M, expanding into the US market, completing 5 acquisitions, and navigating the challenges that come with rapid growth while still protecting the culture that made the business successful in the first place.   What stood out most was the balance between ambition andhumility. From supplying products used in major projects like Battersea Power Station, Fulham FC Stadium and Everton Stadium, to helping tackle the housing crisis with innovative R&D-led products that allow homes to be built moreefficiently. The growth story is remarkable.   We also discussed: Running a business through a global pandemic and two global warsHis first big sale that he made but never got paid for! Why becoming a parent made Connor more efficient as a leaderThe challenge of professionalising a family businesswithout becoming a “big corporate”How luck both good and bad has played a huge role inEnergystore’s journeyA fascinating conversation about leadership, resilience,innovation and building a business that still feels personal, even at scale.   Show Notes Energystore designs and manufactures insulation systems for floors, walls and roofs to improve energy efficiency in buildings  Connor helped scale the business from £4M turnover to £50MThe company expanded operations into the United States and his plans for the US.Energystore products have been used in projects including Battersea Power Station, Fulham FC Stadium and Everton Stadium.Their R&D team is developing products that helphousebuilders deliver homes faster and more efficiently.The business has completed 5 acquisitions under Connor’s leadership. Connor discussed the reality of integrating acquisitionswhile maintaining company culture. Energystore successfully navigated the challenges ofCOVID, supply chain disruption and geopolitical instability. Becoming a father helped Connor become more focused and efficient with his time.Despite major growth, Connor is determined toprofessionalise the business without losing the family-business feel that made it successful in the first place.Links & resources: Energystore: https://www.energystoreltd.com/ Follow Connorr on Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-mccandless-03918322/ Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy

  8. Apr 20

    EE 25: The Social Media Analysis Company - Olytico founder Stephen O'Leary

    Imagine not listening to your customers. That’s exactly whatmost companies are doing online. This week, we sat down with Stephen O’Leary, Founder and CEO of Olytico—a company that has spent the past 17 years helping brands truly understand what’s being said about them online. Stephen is also an ex-President of the Dublin Chamber ofCommerce and sits on Advisory Boards and Committees for Munster Rugby and the GAA. After this conversation, you won’t look at your social mediastrategy the same way again. For nearly two decades, Olytico has helped companiesworldwide refine their strategies by listening to, monitoring, analysing, and reporting on online conversations—insights that most brands completely overlook. Here’s the reality: if you’re only paying attention to whatcustomers say in response to your posts, you’re missing up to 90% of the conversation. In today’s digital landscape, understanding your audiencemeans going far beyond likes and comments. In this episode, Stephen breaks down how social media listening unlocks real business value—sharing practical insights and real-world examples from companies like Monzo, WHOOP, and Dovethat are using it to gain a competitive edge. The good news? With the help of Olytico companies of all sizes can take advantage of these insights. Social media listening isn’t just about tracking mentions—it’s about understanding conversations, identifying opportunities, and ensuring your customers feel heard. Done right, it allows brands to connect with people who are actively looking for what they offer—even if they do not know they exist yet. If social media is part of your company’s strategy, this is not an episode you can afford to miss. Show Notes • Overcoming early challenges. • The importance of Dublin Chamber of Commerce in the early years. • How hiring a coach changed the trajectory of both the company and Stephen personally. • The value of the Irish Entrepreneurs community. • Effective social media strategies. • Listening to customer needs online to drive innovation. • How Monzo, WHOOP, and Dove use social listening to stay ahead. • The positive side of social media. • A year as President of Dublin Chamber of Commerce. • The evolution of social media beyond the “old guard” . • The untapped opportunity in platforms like Reddit. • Stephen’s vision for Olytico over the next five years. Links & resources: Olytico: https://olytico.com/ Follow Stephen on Linkedln: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenoleary/    Our Sponsors: Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy

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About

The Hidden Hustle Podcast - a business podcast focused on learning from some of the best business owners across a wide range of industries. Hosted by two brother Alan & Sean Holmes with a shared dream to own our own business one day. But before that day comes, we’re on a mission — to learn, to grow, to build a network and to shine a light on the kinds of business owners we admire most: the ones you don’t always hear about. We hope you enjoy these weekly episodes and learn something new about these incredible businesses and the people behind them. Happy learning, Alan & Sean Holmes

Information

  • Creator
    TheHiddenHustlePodcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © TheHiddenHustlePodcast
  • Show Website
    The Hidden Hustle Podcast

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