Lead Well with Mark O'Reilly Mark O'Reilly

In the latest Lead Well podcast episode, Nick Lawlor, founder of Employee Financial Wellness (EFW), recounts his entrepreneurial journey from establishing Lawlor Financial Planning in 2011 during Ireland's financial crisis to the recent acquisition of EFW by UK-based Wealth at Work.

Nick started his career helping individuals navigate financial turmoil, recognising the profound connection between financial stress and mental health. This experience inspired him to co-found a division at New Beginnings in 2014, focused on providing financial advice. Realising the need for proactive financial education, Nick launched EFW in 2017 to empower employees with the tools for financial planning and well-being. His dedication was underscored by completing a master's degree in workplace wellness, which has helped position EFW as a leader in Ireland's emerging financial wellness sector.

Nick's vision, accelerated by the Wealth at Work partnership, aims to address the cost of living crisis and enhance employee support through comprehensive financial education programs.

To learn more about Nick and EFW check out
https://employeefinancialwellness.ie/

On this week's Lead Well Podcast, I welcome Mark Donnelly, founder, public speaker and mental health advocate. Mark is the founder of HUH Clothing, a mental health and well-being clothing brand based in Ireland, founded in 2020. After personal experiences with OCD, anxiety, and self-confidence issues, Mark combined his passion for mental health advocacy and business to create a brand that facilitates conversations around mental health through fashion.

Mark shares candidly why he started his business, aiming not only to be a success in the fashion industry but also to advocate for mental wellness. He opens up about his own battles with mental health challenges, providing insights into how he has managed these struggles while steering a successful company. Mark also provides tips on how we can remain happy in the present, while also having big ambitions for the future.

Join us for another episode where we delve into the intersection of entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal well-being.

Check Mark and HUH Clothing out - https://huhclothing.com/

On this week's Lead Well Podcast, I welcome Dave McHugh Founder of Line Up Sports. Dave's career has taken him on an incredible journey and he is now seen as one of the leaders in Ireland in professional athlete management. Dave has been surrounded by high performing athletes on a daily basis from Rob Kearney and Annalise Murphy to Gary and Paul O'Donovan and Kellie Harrington.

Dave shares key insights into how we can take control of our situation regardless of the circumstances and perform at a high level in work while still prioritising the things that matter most to us. Dave and I also discuss how reflection and allowing yourself to disconnect from technology helps you reset, reassess and focus. From a leadership standpoint Dave speaks to how vital it is to understand the importance of developing your process, making sure that you are doing the simple things well on a consistent basis.

Find out more about David and LineUp Sports at:
Website: lineupsports.ie
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lineup-sports/

This week on the podcast I sit down with Thorbjorg Helga (Tobba) Vigfusdottir, the founder and CEO of Kara Connect, an industry leading workplace mental health solution. Discover the story behind her journey from a cognitive psychologist and city councillor to becoming a tech entrepreneur who's making significant strides in connecting therapy specialists with those in need. Tobba shares her insights on overcoming geographical and logistical barriers in healthcare, the future of digital health, and how her innovations are empowering professionals and patients alike. Whether you're passionate about healthcare, technology, or entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with inspiration and forward-thinking ideas that are shaping the future of telepractice.

Tune in to learn how Tobba is not just navigating but also creating pathways in the digital transformation of health and educational services.

In this week's episode I sit down with Seán Kinane, founder of Health Matters.

Health Matters was set up 13 years ago by Seán following his time in Australia. They specialise in fitness and performance testing, primarily offering VO2 max testing and metabolic testing in both sport and business. Seán has conducted over 20,000 tests, the highest in Europe and Health Matters have close to 500 five star google reviews to date.

This episode offers a real insight into Seán's journey from identifying a niche market, to building one of the leading performance companies in Ireland. Throughout, we gain strategic insights behind Health Matters success. Seán will share invaluable business lessons, including the importance of not letting early failures impact the confidence and belief you have in your product.

Once again we get to delve into a founder's philosophy on work-life balance, offering listeners a perspective on how personal well-being fuels professional excellence.

To find out more about Seán and Health Matters check out www.myhealthmatters.ie

On this weeks episode I sit down with Erica Hargaden, founder of Babogue Sleep Solutions.
This episode offers a rare glimpse into Erica’s journey from grappling with her child’s sleep challenges to establishing a globally acclaimed consultancy. Erica shares strategic insights behind Babogue’s success, from leveraging digital platforms to scaling an online presence that has touched the lives of over 4,000 families worldwide. Erica’s expertise not only spans the intricacies of child sleep patterns but also the blueprint for cultivating a thriving online business in the wellness and parenting space.

Erica will share invaluable business insights, including the importance of the strategic use of social media and video-based courses for global reach, and the impact of networking and support programs like the Women's Inspire Network on her company's growth.

Throughout the episode we also delve into Erica’s philosophy on work-life balance, offering listeners a perspective on how personal well-being fuels professional excellence. Erica's holistic approach to entrepreneurship, emphasising continuous learning, community building, and the innovative delivery of services, serves as a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs in the digital age. Tune in to uncover the secrets to turning personal passions into a successful enterprise that makes a real difference.

To find out more about Erica and Babogue check out https://babogue.com/