17-year-old entrepreneurs (and twins) from Galway, Mary and Sarah Murphy have created a hand-held gun to mark sheep. Up next? World domination. 

How did you start? Why did you start? 
The idea came to us when we were marking our own sheep on the family farm. We thought: ‘There must be a better way of doing this?’
We set up our company as a transition year mini-company in 2014 to compete in the Student Enterprise Awards. After a successful first year, we registered as a private limited company. 
We continued to develop the product. We changed the material of the nozzle and tried different fluids in the gun, but it wasn’t until September/October 2015 when we were thinking of an idea to compete in the Student Enterprise Awards that we decided to produce the guns to be sold. [The kit currently retails at €60, this includes a gun, a cartridge, and a nozzle.] Visit the twins’ website here.
Market research and patenting 
We carried out research to see would there be a market for our product. We then produced 100 guns and gave 20 to local sheep farmers. The feedback was very positive. We brought the product to market in February 2016 as soon our patent was pending. 
We continued to sell the product and have attended numerous agricultural trade shows including the Tullamore Show and the National Ploughing Championships. 
Awards and The Late Late 
The product was a great success at the trade shows. We have gone from strength to strength competing in various enterprise awards such as the Student Enterprise Awards where we placed third nationally, the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition where we placed third in our category and the Get Up and Go mini company awards where we were placed in the top three. We have also appeared on The Late Late Show with our

For a second consecutive year, Irish e-commerce sites have seen a 45% growth in revenue. 
While Ireland’s GDP grew by 5% last year, the Irish online economy is charging ahead nine times faster than the wider Irish economy, according to a report by Wolfgang Digital.
“As the €153 billion UK market e-commerce market becomes less accessible to Irish e-commerce websites, the €500 billion European market has to become a priority.”
Retail is growing 
Retailers saw a very healthy 24% growth while revenues for travel sites surged an incredible 79%. Overall traffic to Irish e-commerce sites was up 17% in 2016.
Revenues decline due to weak Sterling
The share of retail revenue coming from shoppers outside of Ireland fell sharply, however, from 36% in 2015 to 19% in 2016. 
Most ‘international’ customers to Irish online stores come from the UK, so the swing from a strong pound to euro in 2015, to a weak pound to euro in 2016 played a major part in this decline.
“Our competitors in the UK, arguably the world’s most advanced digital media market, are now floating further and further away from the valuable European market.”
Brexit means retailers need to focus on the EU market
‘There are some early indicators as to how a post-Brexit Irish online economy might look if online retailers switch their focus to the lucrative European market,” says Alan Coleman, CEO of Wolfgang Digital (pictured above).
“As the €153 billion UK market e-commerce market becomes less accessible to Irish e-commerce websites, the €500 billion European market has to become a priority.”
“Smartphones have taken over as the device of choice when accessing the web, with 45% of website traffic on smart phones, versus 42% on desktop and 13% on tablet.”
The Digital Single Market brings massive opportunities
Two things make the European market increasingly attractive to Irish business. One is the EU’s drive to enhance

Kevin Kennedy is the founder of Anu Dairy, an Irish dairy biotech company that makes the world’s first vitamin K2 butter, a butter that’s good for heart health. He also believes Irish farmers deserve more respect and better pay. 
What do we do? Anu Dairy is an Irish dairy biotechnology company using organic milk to produce the world’s first premium, vitamin K2 butter. Our tagline is ‘strong at heart’.
“Last year we were accepted on o the RebelBio accelerator program in Cork. It’s a (Sean O’Sullivan) SOSV-backed seed-stage biotech accelerator.”
My interest evolved from my time working with people in the gym and from my time spent in California. The people I met in California loved [and were huge advocates of] Kerrygold. They understood how fat works, what fats are good for you and why particular types of natural fat won’t necessarily give you a heart attack. Significantly they were also aware of research showing how Vitamin K2 can help direct calcium into your bones and away from soft tissues, such as your heart and arteries. 
Last year we applied to and were accepted onto the RebelBio accelerator program in Cork. It’s a (Sean O’Sullivan) SOSV-backed seed-stage biotech accelerator. For eight percent of the company, you receive $100,000 which is split into two tranches, a $50,000 cash injection and $50,000 for services, lab space, and mentoring. 
“Anu Dairy butter also has a 25-30% higher vitamin K2 content than standard butter. Vitamin K2 plays a key role in helping reduce both coronary heart disease and osteoporosis.”
We produce a natural, organic, grass-fed butter, high in vitamin K2 which helps move calcium away from your arteries, to where it’s needed in your bones.

How do we achieve high levels of vitamin K2? It’s the way we treat the soil and the way we are building up data around best

Kevin Kennedy is the founder of Anu Dairy, an Irish dairy biotech company that has produced the world’s first vitamin K2 butter, butter that’s good for heart health. He also believes farmers deserve more respect and better pay. 
What do we do? Anu Dairy is an Irish dairy biotechnology company using organic milk to produce the world’s first premium, vitamin K2 butter, affording greater choice to consumers in the functional food dairy market and our tagline is ‘strong at heart’.
“Last year we applied and were accepted on to the RebelBio accelerator program in Cork. It’s a (Sean O’Sullivan) SOSV-backed seed-stage biotech accelerator.”
My interest evolved from my time working with people in the gym and from my time spent in California. The people I met in California loved [and were huge advocates of] Kerrygold. They understood how fat works, what fats are good for you and why particular types of natural fat won’t necessarily give you a heart attack. Significantly they were also aware of research showing how Vitamin K2 can help direct calcium into your bones and away from soft tissues, such as your heart and arteries. 
Last year we applied and were accepted on to the RebelBio accelerator program in Cork. It’s a (Sean O’Sullivan) SOSV-backed seed-stage biotech accelerator. For eight percent of the company, you receive $100,000 which is split into two tranches, $50,000 cash injection and $50,000 for services, Lab space, and mentoring. 
“Anu Dairy butter also has a 25-30% higher vitamin K2 content than standard butter. Vitamin K2 plays a key role in helping reduce both coronary heart disease and osteoporosis.”
We produce a natural, organic, grass-fed butter, high in vitamin K2 which helps move calcium away from your arteries, to where it’s needed in your bones.

How do we achieve high levels of vitamin K2? It’s the way we

 
Alan Coleman knows what it’s like to bootstrap and grow. He’s the founder and CEO of the multi-award winning digital agency Wolfgang, and his story began when Google rejected his job application. 

How did the company get its name?
Like a lot of online businesses in 2008, I called out what I did; OnlineAdvertising.ie. I ranked number one on Google but, ironically, nobody could remember the company name. I knew I needed an unforgettable name. 
When I initially shared the new name ‘Wolfgang’ with people, it got a marmite reaction. But love it or hate it, nobody forgot it (which is precisely what I was aiming for). Besides, Wolfgang is a feckin’ cool name.
How long have you been in business?
I started in December 2007 having failed to get a job with Google. However, while going through the interview process, I fell in love with Google AdWords, so I quit what I was doing and taught myself AdWords. 
“I learned the power of the soundbite when I said ‘there’s no recession online’ when being interviewed by George Lee on radio.”
My two-year aim was to become among the best AdWords professional in Ireland. Once I was AdWords qualified, I started running a few campaigns for people (for free). I tripled my third client’s business inside a month, and things have been on the up ever since. 

What supports did your company receive when it first started?
I got €1,000 towards my website from the Local Enterprise Office. I was accepted onto the Create Enterprise platform in IADT. This meant I had a hot desk, monthly training and [most importantly] a network of a dozen other people who were starting digital media businesses.
I’m a firm believer that you should shape your business based on what your instincts tell you the market wants, rather than paying attention to a semi state’s criteria. If I’d allowed

If you want to grow, you need to think globally. Now you can do it online with WebPort Global.
If you export products, especially food or drink products, to the UK, you will be keenly aware of the threat Brexit poses.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but you should be looking for new markets. 
WebPort Global is an online platform designed to connect SMEs around the world. It connects businesses with other firms in over 60 countries worldwide. 

“Our job is to build leads for Irish businesses that want to find customers in large, new markets, not just the UK,” says Maureen Pace (left), president of WebPort Global.
“Small and medium Irish businesses may have thought about the US market and thought they didn’t have the time and money to research the market, find new customers and start exporting. WebPort Global makes all this possible for SMEs,” says Pace. 
 

One business owner who is enjoying success using WebPort Global is Jason Coyle, CEO of award winning food brand Mr. Crumb (see video above). 
The portal’s concierge service helped Coyle connect with influential retail buyers in the US. 

“The concierge service helped me connect with a North American grocery industry expert which lead to a series of face-to-face and telephone meetings with US buyers,” says Coyle.
Mr. Crumb’s products are now listed in Wal-Mart. 
“Another key part of WebPort Global’s service is our Global Trade Export Network,” says Pace. 
“Business owners can see trade reports and case studies relating to their activities. They can also take part in discussion forums and profile their offering to the other users of the platform.”
Start connecting. To find out more, go to Web Port Global. 
A MUST READ: You should prepare for a hard Brexit. Here’s a guide.

It is possible to grow your business too quickly, it’s called overtrading and it can be dangerous.
Managing growth can be tricky, requiring a careful balancing between meeting customers’ orders on the one hand, and not over-stretching the resources and ability of the business to meet these orders on the other.
This constant balancing act is at the heart of a key risk for many businesses – the risk of overtrading – or the ability of a business to safely finance customer orders, before these orders are paid for by customers, without running out of the cash that the business needs day-to-day.
It’s often a particular dilemma for start-up and high growth businesses – finding the cash to fund business expansion, before being paid by your new customers. Even long-established businesses can be affected by over-trading. So all businesses should be aware of the risk and take active steps to prevent it. Luckily, there is a wide range of practical steps and actions that can be taken to manage business growth safely and avoid the risk of overtrading.

Step 1: Listen to your accountant

Your accountant will often be the first to spot the warning signs of overtrading. Listen to advice offered to you, carefully, and then act on it. Do not bury your head in the sand and ignore good advice. Advance planning and taking preventative steps now, could save a lot of trouble later and make the difference between business survival and extinction, especially in the early stages of business growth.

Step 2: Know your cashflow

Cashflow forecasting is an essential tool for any business, either new or well established. Read the ThinkBusiness.ie cashflow guide for more information. You need up-to-date financial information at your fingertips, to help you assess and plan the impact that any business expansion will have on your

‘We invested heavily in cybersecurity before it became a major issue facing business.’
What’s your pitch? 
Smarttech is one of the leading Cybersecurity managed service providers in Europe and the only company in Europe to implement cognitive computing (Artificial Intelligence) to run our European Cyber Security Operation Centre, which is powered by IBM Watson. 
How long have you been in business? 
We have been in business since 2004, but we reinvented the company in 2010 to focus purely on cyber security. This has been our core focus for the last six years, and in addition to service delivery, we have had a strategic focus on innovation of development of new security products and services. 
What did you want to be ‘when you grew up’? 
A fireman. 
What’s your ambition now? 
My ambition is to become a global leader in the delivery of managed cyber security solutions. We are experiencing tremendous growth as a company and delivering immense value to our customers who range from some mid-size business to some of the largest businesses in the world. We deliver all of this from Cork.
“I would make coding a mandatory part of all school curriculum. This would help drive innovation and fill the skills pipeline for the future. ”
What’s the most important thing you have learned so far in business? 
I guess its patience. We invested heavily in cybersecurity before it became a major issue facing business. From a sales perspective, it often felt like we were knocking on closed doors but eventually the patience paid off. 
What has been your biggest ‘mistake’ in business so far? 
Biggest mistake has been diversifying from our core competencies. 
Who inspires you in the business world? 
I find Richard Branson inspiring. 
What historical figure would you choose to have dinner with? 
Albert Einstein  
If you were ‘ruler for a day’ what would you do to change the business or social climate

UrbanVolt supplies lighting as a service. Founder Kevin Maughan is on a global mission.

What’s your elevator pitch?
UrbanVolt is an award-winning Irish company that provides ‘Light as a Service’ to industrial and commercial clients. We invest all the money to install and maintain new LED lighting fixtures, generating an immediate 75% savings on energy costs for our customers. We then share those cash savings with our clients for five years.
How long have you been in business?
We started in September 2015 and went to market in Jan 2016. Since our market launch, we have helped our Irish clients save over 20 million euros, without anyone ever asking a customer for a penny upfront.
What did you want to be ‘when you grew up’?
I don’t want to grow up, ask me in 20 years.
What’s your ambition now?
Our innovative business model can save billions of euros for businesses around the world, and we are determined to deliver on that potential. By 2020, we aim to provide one billion euros in savings for our customers and help to make the world’s transition to sustainability easier.
“We never received support from any of the government-sponsored programmes, as they showed no interest and a total lack of understanding of our business model.”
What’s the most important thing you have learned so far in business?
Surround yourself with great people and then give them the confidence and the belief that they can achieve anything. Most businesses look for people who have reached their potential and are ‘proven players’ in their respective careers. We believe in the opposite – find people before they reach their potential and help them to get there.
What was your biggest ‘mistake’ been, in business so far?
This is a tough question as I’ve made many errors in business over the years. However, upon reflection, I can say that there has

Cycle SuperStore began its story in business, over 30 years ago, in 1982. Ray Fearon, having completed a B.Sc. in business management, started trading as Ray’s Bike Shop in Rathgar, Dublin.
Shortly after this, he was joined by his brother Michael and over the next 30 years, together with their dedicated staff, they built the business into Ireland’s biggest cycle store.
What’s your elevator pitch? 
In short, The Cycle Superstore, from humble beginnings, is now the largest bicycle retailer in the country.
How long have you been in business?
Established in a shed in Rathgar in 1982 we’ve had many moves since then to our new superstore on the Airton Road in Tallaght. It’s been a very fast 30 years. 
What did you want to be ‘when you grew up’?
Believe it or not a Garda. I think it was a power thing and as soon as I got sense, that ambition ended. 
What’s your ambition now?
To continue building on what we have achieved so far and build a center for cycling excellence on par with any place in the world. Our motto is “We can do it better.”
What’s the most important thing you have learned so far in business?
Every day is different, take a deep breath and never think you have it cracked. 
What was your biggest ‘mistake’ been, in business so far?
Negotiating and entering into commercial leases. We have had many over the years, and none were a good experience. My advice to anybody starting out? Don’t rush in, seek good professional advice and adhere to it.
“Armed with a business plan and a personal guarantee from our father, we went round the houses with no joy.”
Who inspires you in the business world?
What can I say? A great friend to the cycle industry and cyclists in general, Michael O’Leary. You can’t fault what he has achieved.
What historical figure would you choose