Irish entrepreneur success stories

FEATURED PROFILES
Cathal Gaffney – Brown Bag Films

Cathal Gaffney of Brown Bag Films has made the journey from college dropout to feted CEO by virtue of hard work, self-reliance and an endless passion for animation.
Tom Kearney – Spice O'Life

Corkman Tom Kearney travelled the exotic historial spice routes of the East before coming home and setting up his own spice company Spice O’Life in Dunmanway.

Bernard Walsh - Hot Irishman

This company has gone from being about 40pc to 90pc export-based in five years.

Finding the best locations is one of the secrets of John Boyle's success.

In the space of ten years, Voya has achieved impressive export growth.

Over the years Edmond O'Reilly has established a number of different businesses.

In 1995 Sahar Hashemi c-founded one of the UK's original coffee brands with her brother Bobby.

In the past seven years Irish Dog Foods has grown from a turnover of €3m to €30m.

Claire Lanigan
Molly’s Pet Boutique

Molly’s Pet Boutique of York Road in Dún Laoghaire is a little gem of a place supplying cat and dog accessories, but what’s even more surprising about it is that the owner was just 23 when she set it up.
Garrett Gill and Ian Macdougald
Askme Touchscreens

Using the latest technology, Askme Touchscreens provides up-to-the-minute information on sights, tours, restaurants, leisure, travel, entertainment, music and shopping.
Ivan MacDonald
Dial2Do

Dial2Do lets drivers use their voices as remote-control devices to get things done. The Dublin-based company aims to have its clients, while they are driving, safely complete tasks through one phone call.
Leila Bendali
Safia Organics

Leila Bendali says the idea for her online organic store Safia Organics initially came about as the result of a bout of dry scalp. The company has been up and running since 2008, with Bendali using her background in the pharmaceutical area to put her chemistry skills to good use in researching and selecting irritant-free beauty products.
Lesley O’Mahony
Babypotz

Lesley O’Mahony began Babypotz because she came across something that totally simplified the chore of making her own homemade baby food for her baby and knew that other weaning mums and dads would find them useful too.