Taking Care Of Business with Ronan Berry

Kieran Walsh on how Simpli Baked went from local lunchboxes to supermarket shelves across Europe with their tasty new Wraphouse range. From your pocket to the world – MojoFest founder Glen Mulcahy is back to talk smartphones, AI, and why mobile storytelling is rewriting the rules of journalism. Trust us – they’re the best! Paul Heavin from heavins.ie joins us fresh from winning Ireland’s Most Trusted Website to share how this family-run Athlone store is nailing the online game.

Stressed out? Tullamore’s Reveal Beauty & Wellness has just the thing – Brain Tap, a wellness tech for modern life. With €2.2 million in innovation projects secured and a brand-new strategy just launched, the Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing cluster is putting the midlands and beyond on the global industry map. Still unlocking the Midlands after 43 years! Jack Nolan looks back on decades of keys, callouts and keeping the region safe – with a little help from the next generation. Easter never looked (or tasted) so good! Georgia Quealy from Bon Chocolatiers talks hand-painted eggs, viral pistachio creations, and why Athlone is Ireland’s new chocolate capital.

Can employers dismiss staff struggling with addiction? We unpack aWRC ruling that’s reshaping how businesses approach alcoholism and misconduct in the workplace with Ciarán O’Mahony, O’Mahony Safety Solutions. From self-funded startup to €6m turnover – Shane Tobin CEO of TrueWealth.ie shares the highs, the hurdles, and how business owners can extract wealth the smart way.” Liberation Day, trade tariffs, and a VUCA world – futurist Damien Heary of FutaVista Consultancy helps Irish exporters make sense of global uncertainty and prepare for what’s next. Fergal Moran of CJ Sheeran on how their new partnership with The Pallet LOOP is transforming waste into value – a game-changing circular economy model for Ireland’s construction industry.

Cuty Gupta explains how Local Enterprise Office supports like Digital for Business and the Grow Digital Voucher are helping midlands SMEs automate, innovate, and stay competitive in 2025. Donagh O’Leary of Medicines for Ireland warns that a new EU wastewater directive could cause serious medicine shortages in Ireland – and explains why generic drug makers are challenging it in the European courts. Breda Colgan from Salutem Advisory & Training shares practical insights on improving workplace safety and compliance, starting with a recent case that highlights key lessons for employers. David Walsh-Kemmis, the man behind Ballykilcavan Brewery near Stradbally, joins us from Meitheal 2025 to talk tourism, storytelling, and how local producers are showcasing Ireland to the world.

Gary O’Keefe shares Crewit Resourcing’s expansion into Denmark, the future of global recruitment, and how they’re helping solve Ireland’s labour shortages in sectors like agriculture, construction and transport. David Savage from BDO explains what Trump’s new tariffs mean for Irish businesses and how to mitigate risks as a potential EU–US trade war looms. Geraldine Dolan reflects on resilience, community support, and rising costs in hospitality after a fire temporarily closed the much-loved Poppy Fields Café. Eoghan Preston gives us a flavour of The Make & Mark in Portlaoise, its vibrant entertainment lineup, and the fast-growing hospitality brand behind it – RHK Bars.

Economic & Tourism Growth in the Midlands. Mary Hensey & Sarah Morgan discuss the upcoming Together We Thrive event in Offaly, focusing on sustainability, regenerative tourism, and economic development in the Midlands. Ciarán Gorman of Mullingar’s Bevcraft Group shares insights on Bevcraft’s rapid expansion, the impact of US tariffs on steel and aluminium, and how Enterprise Ireland is supporting Irish companies in the face of a trade war. Laois butcher Mark Williams is preparing for his third appearance at the World Butchers’ Event in Paris—he discusses Team Ireland’s chances and the art of butchery. Dr. Niall Burke discusses how Bitcoin mining can help absorb Ireland’s renewable energy surplus, stabilise the grid, and support the energy transition ahead of his Bitcoin Education Talk at TUS Athlone.

Ronan Berry discusses the EU pay transparency directive, closing the gender pay gap, the kickstart programme that's helping skilled tradespeople and micro-business owners transition and thrive - and for Seachtain na Gaeilge - he takes a look at some of the most over-used "corporate speak" phrases!

Mullingar’s viral chocolate sensation! Denise Buckley of Sugar Plum Sweetery shares how their Dubai Chocolate Bar skyrocketed to nationwide fame. Celebrating local enterprise success! Eoin Tully of Aserve and Robert Collentine of Hybrid Engineering on scaling their businesses and competing in the LEO Westmeath County Enterprise Awards. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is paramount to competitive advantage - in advance of International Women’s Day 2025 Jasmine Elkershi of AllPro Recruitment will discuss supporting working women and the ROI of diversity.

Revolutionising plastic recycling - Novelplast CEO Neil Skeffington on how his company is tackling packaging waste and leading the charge in sustainable manufacturing. To date Novelplast has prevented over 25,000 tonnes of plastic entering landfill. Portlaoise Plaza wins big! Colm Mulrooney shares how Supermac’s at Junction 17 took home the Outlet of the Year award. Are Ireland’s agri-food suppliers being treated fairly? Melanie Hall from the Agri-Food Regulator wants to hear from agri-food suppliers about their trading experiences with retail and wholesale buyers of their products via a confidential survey.

From startup to the silver screen! Leah Fletcher of deDANÚ shares how her Irish wellness brand landed a starring role in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Midlands food and drink goes national! Bernie Everard previews the Midlands Food and Drink Networks debut at CATEX 2025 and profiles the local producers making waves in Ireland’s food scene. Cost of living hits Irish SMEs hardest—how can fintech help? Niall Mac an tSionnaigh, SumUp’s CEO for Ireland, unpacks key survey insights and digital solutions for small businesses. And, why is Chris Ball of RBK finding himself in very cold water in February?

Athlone Chamber welcomes formation of a new government—what’s next for the Midlands? CEO Tommy Hogan shares priorities for housing, infrastructure, and business growth. Honor Deevy of Local Enterprise Office Laois gives an overview of National Enterprise Week and breaks down key supports for businesses. It has been a record year nationally with 7,100 new jobs created in 2024 by LEO clients. Sustainability is serious business! Caroline Hofman of The CUBE on how SMEs can future-proof operations and access green grants at the upcoming Business Sustainability Roadshow. Huge celebrations as a Laois restaurant is awarded a first Michellin Star. Is it time to take tourism seriously in the Mullingar region?

Bord na Móna’s latest Gender Pay Gap Report reveals a leadership shift—Sharon Doyle, Head of HR & Corporate Affairs, discusses their commitment to diversity, female leadership, and workplace inclusion. With cycling to work more popular than ever, Eoin Coughlan of Outdoorsy.ie explains how the Cycle to Work scheme is making commuting greener, healthier, and more affordable. How will Waterways Ireland’s new Craft Centre of Excellence in Tullamore preserve heritage craftsmanship and boost regional development? Patrick Harkin joins us to discuss this major investment. Tariffs, trade wars and immediate effects on markets and currencies - should Irish SMEs fear Trump's tariffs? John Finn of The Treasury Hub offers an expert view!

What’s next for Ireland’s start-ups? Scale Ireland CEO Martina Fitzgerald joins us to discuss their Athlone summit and the State of Start-ups Survey 2025. How can drug and alcohol testing improve workplace safety? Ciarán O’Mahony shares insights on proactive safety measures and lessons from recent storms. Mullingar’s Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment, talks about his priorities after reappointment. Plus, Local Enterprise Offices are now supporting a record number of jobs—what does this mean for businesses?

What does TikTok’s ban mean for small businesses, influencers, and Europe’s content creators? How are employers' attitudes toward flexible work and emerging trends like "soft quitting" reshaping Ireland's workplace culture? Explore the 2025 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme, celebrating Ireland’s most innovative business leaders and their global impact. Discover how Nostra became a leader in cloud innovation and one of Ireland’s fastest-scaling tech companies, with Rosenallis’ Kevin O’Loughlin sharing insights on scaling success through acquisitions.

Discover how Paul O’Kelly’s Masterclass is equipping CEOs to drive growth and success in 2025. Mullingar’s Ken Delaney shares insights on Northern Ireland tourism and how new regulations may impact the industry. Tom Lawless reflects on 116 years of family tradition and evolving trends in the funeral industry. Neil McDonnell discusses Ireland’s new Employment Law Review Group and its impact on SMEs.

Taking Care of Business with Sinead Hubble

Reviewing 2024 and looking ahead to 2025 with Helen Gee of G's Gourmet Foods, Chris Ball Corporate Finance Partner at RBK and Margaret Considine President Chambers Ireland.

Liam Holton, CEO of Future Ticketing, shares how this Offaly-based company is revolutionising the ticketing industry with API-first software and ambitious plans for international expansion in 2025. Caitríona Mordan Manager of atim cluster introduces the DreamBig initiative and discusses how advanced manufacturing companies in the Midlands are inspiring students and developing talent to future-proof the industry. With Mikey Ryan Kirby Group, Sarah Adams Abbott Diagnostics, Gary Kelly Grant Engineering and TY student JP Carney. Eamon Callaghan, founder of Vision85, reveals his plans to reimagine business hubs in Portlaoise, including the soon-to-open Hub R32, designed to energize collaboration and innovation.

In this episode of Taking Care of Business on Midlands 103: Trevor Enright, Managing Director of Enplast Extrusions, reveals how his Granard-based company became Ireland’s first to recycle election posters into construction materials, showcasing the circular economy in action. Jasmine Elkershi from AllPro Recruitment shares expert tips for planning a Christmas workplace party that’s both inclusive and professional, ensuring festive fun without the HR headaches. Des Travers, CEO of DPD Ireland, celebrates their milestone of delivering 10 million parcels by electric vehicles, proving sustainability and logistics can go hand in hand. Anthony Gorman, founder of Anthony’s Wooden Crafts, tells his incredible story of transforming a school project into a thriving business, now supplying handcrafted festive products to Dunnes Stores and Lidl nationwide.

Fergal Moran, Director of Business Development at CJ Sheeran, Ireland’s largest supplier of timber packaging and pallets, shares how their innovative, sustainable practices are setting new industry standards. Ray Byrne of The Wineport Lodge and Kieran Conroy from Tullamore Phoenix discuss the challenges impacting the hospitality sector that a new government must solve to keep the trade alive. Mick O’Dowd, Head of Agri-Business at Kepak Group, reveals insights into their €8 million investment in Kilbeggan, enhancing market access, sustainability, and the local economy. James Bourke, President of Mullingar Chamber, talks about Winterfest Mullingar and how initiatives like these boost regional retail and tourism.