On this episode of Guaranteed Irish Stories, Bríd is joined by Marissa Carter, founder of Cocoa Brown, the award-winning Irish beauty brand that changed the game with its 1 Hour Tan Mousse. Also joining the conversation is her husband and business partner, Ronan O’Flaherty.
Together, they share the story behind the meteoric rise of Cocoa Brown and the grit it took to survive the bumps along the way.
✨ How a surprise endorsement from Kris Jenner catapulted the brand into the global spotlight — and what it meant for Cocoa Brown’s future 🔥 The firestorm of 2019, when the business nearly collapsed overnight 📈 How they’ve fought back, winning back shelf space and consumer trust with quiet determination. Why Marissa is fiercely proud to be part of the Guaranteed Irish community — and how Irish brands lift each other up
This episode is all about resilience, reinvention, and real talk from one of Ireland’s most inspiring female founders
In this very special episode of Guaranteed Irish Stories, Bríd speaks to Dr. Norah Patten — award-winning STEM advocate, aerospace engineer, and Ireland’s future astronaut 🌍🚀.
Raised in Co. Mayo with a lifelong obsession with space, Norah’s dream is now becoming a reality: in June 2024, it was announced that she will undertake a commercial spaceflight, making history for Ireland.
They discuss:
📈 The rapid growth of Ireland’s space sector, including her work at Réaltra — Ireland’s only 100% Irish-owned space electronics company
🧪 What astronaut training actually involves, from 4G force simulations to underwater testing and everything in between
🌌 Her exciting upcoming mission, and what it means for young people dreaming big in STEM
Dr. Patten is also this year’s recipient of the Guaranteed Irish Special Recognition Award for her incredible contribution to science, space, and education.
This is one small step for Norah… one giant leap for Irish innovation.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of Guaranteed Irish Stories is David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, one of Ireland’s largest and most iconic businesses. With over 10,000 employees, An Post has evolved far beyond its origins in mail — now leading the way in parcel delivery, financial services, insurance, and retail.
In this thought-provoking conversation, David shares:
💼 His definition of leadership, shaped by bold thinkers like Michael O’Leary 🙅 Why he believes government regulation is ‘off the scale’ - and how it’s choking the economy
📦 How An Post has transformed into a modern tech company, embracing innovation while staying true to its public mission
Each week on the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast, we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how they remain competitive on the global stage while making a meaningful local impact.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Patrick Murphy, CEO of Codex, a proud Irish business that has been profitable every year since its founding in 1979.
In this conversation, Bríd and Patrick chat about:
💼 Big ambitions for Codex as it continues to evolve in a competitive market
🧩 A partnership with an Irish autism charity that's helping to reimagine the modern office for neurodivergent employees
👨👦 Lessons from his father, who founded the business and continues to inspire its values today
Each week on the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast, we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how they remain competitive on the global stage while making a meaningful local impact.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Joanne Reilly, the founder of Kinvara Skincare,an Irish brand specializing in natural, plant-powered skincare products.
Bríd and Joanne discuss:
* Why she believes the Irish beauty industry has never been stronger
* Her PHD in Elephant conservation that underpins Kinvara Skincare’s eco-friendly mission
* And she has some specific ‘Sophie Morris’ style advice for Irish consumers about ultra-processed skincare products
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Noel Keeley, Musgrave.
On this episode, Bríd and Noel discuss:
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Pat Phelan, the Managing Director of Ballymore Ireland
Bríd and Pat discuss:
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Shane O’Reilly who is the MD of sustainable futures at KPMG Ireland. With over 20 years of experience of the global construction materials market having joined KPMG from CRH, he leads their ESG & Sustainability service line.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Suzie O’Neill, the owner of AYU cosmetics and a new member of the Board of Guaranteed Irish.On this episode, Bríd and Suzie discuss:*the magic moment when she knew she’d cracked the formula for the brand’s famous concealer product
* AYU’s ownership structure
* And there’s even a delve into the profit margin for the cosmetics industry as a whole.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Damien McCann Chairman of Guaranteed Irish and CCO of Viatel Technologies.
On this episode, Bríd and Damien discuss:* Damien’s appointment to Chairperson of the Guaranteed Irish board and his vision for the network.
* The importance of collaboration between indigenous companies and multinational companies to create and maintain a cohesive supply chain.
* And why he believes technology has brought us to the cusp of the next industrial revolution.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is writer, broadcaster and comedian, Barbara Scully.
As our 2024 season of podcasts draws to a close we take the time to reflect on some core themes for Irish business:
How gender politics has shaped the evolution of Irish workplaces
Why it’s vital for businesses to embrace valuable experience
And in the 50th year of Guaranteed Ireland, Barbara and host Bríd O’Connell consider how Ireland has moved on from the days when being world class and being Irish were mutually exclusive.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Joanne Geary, Managing Director of Ireland’s leading home and property portal, MyHome.ie.
On this episode, Bríd and Joanne discuss:
- Why it’s important to describe what’s happening in Irish housing supply as a ‘crisis’
-Why the government actually needs to build 200k houses this year and the ideas that will stimulate increased output by property developers
- Her experience of being a female leader in a male-dominated sector
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Crystel Robbins Rynne the Chief Operating Office of HR Locker which is an employee management software application.
Crystel explains how HR Locker has embraced CSRD reporting and advises on how they’ve achieved staff buy-in on it. Crystel tells Bríd about the innovations and ideas they have to maintain and grow culture in a fully remote company. How do you communicate culture to graduates and new starters in this environment? There’s also a discussion about the need for an increased focus on a ‘scale to stay’ model rather than the current ‘scale to sell’ culture that is rife amongst Irish start-ups.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Dean Rock, the 8-time All Ireland winner who is now the National Sales Manager for Procure.ie - the largest utility broker in the company with over 6000 commercial customers.
He tells Bríd about how he has applied the same thirst for incremental improvement that he saw with the Dubs to his business career. He sees the GAA skillset being an ideal basis for success in business. And it’s a key part of Procure’s recruitment strategy as Dean is joined in the company by Cork hurling legend Seán Óg O’hAilpín and Noel Sheehy from Tipperary.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Paul Coffey and Brian Drinan owners of Cork café group, Perry Street.
In this episode, married couple Brian and Paul discuss the pressing need for the Irish government to support Irish hospitality by cutting the VAT rate in the upcoming budget. There’s also a discussion about why they feel there’s a disregard for hospitality in Ireland, and they describe their ambitious plans to ‘reimagine’ the Irish café experience with their ‘eatertainment’ model.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Sinéad Crowther of Tonstix, which is an Irish honey jelly pop that provides relief for sore throats, colds, hayfever and allergies.
In this episode Sinéad explains how recent research suggests that the product, which is medicinal-free, is more effective at soothing sore throats than a steroid. She breaks down the business’ marketing plan to drive growth in Ireland and the UK. And she talks about important new distribution agreements with Applegreen and a major supermarket chain.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is David Mc Keown, Co-CEO of Kilsaran a leading Irish manufacturer of concrete products.
Kilsaran is 60 years old this year, in this episode we explore the history of this family-run business, founded in the small Louth village of the same name.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is the International Rugby Experience’s Sales and Marketing manager, Emma Foote.
The experience, which is located in Limerick, gives visitors an fully-immersive, multi-sensory insight into what it takes to become a rugby legend. Paul O’Connell is the chairperson of the board that runs the tourist attraction and Emma describes how his input has greatly enhanced the experience.
The Venue, was initially funded through a €30m investment by the JP McManus Charitable Foundation. The Billionaire businessman has since donated it back to the people of Limerick City and Emma’s talks about what the future holds in store for the Venue.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Patrick Cotter, CEO and founder of Rural Wifi.
Rural Wifi is an alternative wifi provider based in Ireland that has already been part of the team that brought wifi to the Aran Islands. Not only that, the company supports the largest transport wifi network in the UK and Ireland. Before Rural Wifi, its founder Patrick Cotter had founded Fleet Connect, a trailblazing company which at one point in 2013 had the largest wifi network in the world. He shares his advice to young entrepreneurs and business people, describing how his humble beginnings in the Dublin fruit markets, gave him a rock solid foundation that has served him very well in the world of business.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.
Our guest on this episode of the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast is Lisa Kennedy from Tourist SOS.
Having recently rebranded from the Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS), Tourist SOS is expanding, with ambitions to move into Europe. It is a free, nationwide service that is unique to Ireland and dedicated to helping international tourists who experience a crime or other distressing incident whilst here.
On the Guaranteed Irish Stories podcast we speak to trailblazers from the Guaranteed Irish business community about how their businesses stay competitive in a global marketplace, what it stands for, its contribution to the local community and its support for Irish jobs.