What does it take to turn skyrocketing costs and near-insurmountable obstacles into opportunities for growth and community-building?

Gráinne Mullins, the visionary founder and CEO of Grá Chocolates, reveals her unique approach to tackling these challenges head-on. From battling drastic increases in ingredient prices to dealing with soaring rent, Gráinne shares her story with raw honesty, turning her struggles into a source of inspiration and resilience.

From her origins as a pastry chef to creating hand-painted Easter eggs that became an instant hit during lockdown, Gráinne’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Her background in fine dining infuses every aspect of Grá Chocolates, from the use of premium Irish ingredients to the meticulous attention to customer experience. This episode is a celebration of local Irish businesses and the massive impact they have on the economy. By supporting ventures like Grá Chocolates, we contribute to a thriving business landscape. Don't miss this heartfelt and motivational conversation filled with valuable insights for entrepreneurs aiming to turn adversity into opportunity.

Key points throughout include:

• Discover how Gráinne Mullins transitioned from a fine dining pastry chef to the founder and CEO of Grá Chocolates.
• How a desperate LinkedIn post transformed into a viral call for support, resulting in a game-changing Kickstarter campaign.
• Insights into building a luxury brand from scratch.
• Survival amidst rising costs across the hospitality industry.
• The importance of supporting local enterprises and how Grá Chocolates is contributing to the Irish economy.
• Explore Gráinne’s ambitious plans for the future, including the construction of a new chocolate factory.

KICKSTARTER LINK

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/grachocolates/chocolate-

lovers-destination-in-the-west-of-ireland

Find out more about Gra Chocolates:
grachocolates.com

Get connected with host Finola Howard:

https://www.finolahoward.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/finolahoward/

https://www.instagram.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.facebook.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.youtube.com/c/howgreatmarketingworks

https://www.twitter.com/FinolaHoward

Are you ready to transform your social media strategy from chasing likes to driving meaningful sales? Join us as we sit down with Karen McCarthy, a social media marketing coach who transformed scepticism into success. Karen shares her evolution from a reluctant marketing student to a values-driven social media expert, sharing practical insights on aligning your online efforts with the buyer's journey.

From navigating the chaos of international interviews post-9/11 to blending creativity and business in France, Karen's experiences highlight the magic that can unfold when you embrace unexpected opportunities. Karen opens up about the profound impact of personal challenges, from the heartache of losing a pet during the pandemic to finding resilience through creative growth. Get ready to discover how nurturing your existing followers and valuing each one as an individual can lead to sustained business growth. Forget likes and comments; it's time to focus on what really drives your business forward. Tune in now and learn how you can connect with your audience on a much deeper level. Key points throughout include:

• An accidental stumble into the world of marketing
• Taking the leap: Joining Disney France's marketing team
• Personal writing: Bridging the gap between marketing and creativity
• Growing creative projects and a following through Instagram
• Converting potential clients into happy paying customers
• Can a routine be the death of creativity?
• Navigating the throes of grief: Coping with the loss of a beloved pet
• Instagram's community power: Forging bonds through shared interests
• Five immediate actions to change your approach to social media
• Aligning content with the buyer's journey for business success
• Embracing individual journeys and trusting the process of audience engagement

"You need to come to terms with the fact that you may not get the likes or comments you think you should, but you'll get the sales you want. There's a real perspective shift when you realise you're playing the wrong game." – Karen McCarthy.

Get connected with Karen McCarthy:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-mccarthy-socialmediastrategist/

https://www.thesimplifiedsocialmedia.com/

SIGN UP NOW FOR KAREN'S FREE COURSE:

THE SIMPLIFIED CONTENT CREATION METHOD
https://www.thesimplifiedsocialmedia.com/free-course

Get connected with host Finola Howard:

https://www.finolahoward.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/finolahoward/

https://www.instagram.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.facebook.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.youtube.com/c/howgreatmarketingworks

https://www.twitter.com/FinolaHoward

What is going on with leadership right now? Will we ever bid farewell to one-dimensional, dinosaur-style leadership? Joining Finola this week is Kate Rooney, an excellent leadership coach from The OnLegs Agency, to discuss the persistent challenges of modern corporate leadership. Kate brings a wealth of knowledge from her early retail management days when she prioritised team dynamics over hitting KPIs.

Together, Kate and Finola unpack the significance of vulnerability, navigate power dynamics in leadership, and explore the magical ripple effect that can happen when supportive environments are created. They also delve into transforming teams through honest conversations and establishing trust through transparency. Leaders, it's time to remove the masks and lead with heart and authenticity. Key points throughout include:

• The leap from leadership roles to confidently going solo
• Why you should make no assumptions about leadership
• The lack of understanding and practice of emotional intelligence in leadership
• Tackling the fear of exposure in leadership
• How to invite leaders into meetings without compromising psychological safety
• Elevating energy: The power of vulnerability in tough conversations
• The contradiction of vulnerability VS. weakness
• Leadership gaps: The impact of poor mentorship
• The dangerous rise of unaccredited coaches in a saturated coaching market

"I would love leaders to take off the mask, go into the room and accept that you don't know everything. How could you? It's too big an ask, ask the questions that you're frightened of asking and ask the questions that you don't know the answers to, and see what comes up." – Kate Rooney.

Get connected with Kate Rooney:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theonlegsgency/

https://www.theonlegsagency.co.uk/

Get connected with host Finola Howard:

https://www.finolahoward.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/finolahoward/

https://www.instagram.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.facebook.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.youtube.com/c/howgreatmarketingworks

https://www.twitter.com/FinolaHoward