CEO Of Popertee: Validate & Market – Always!

Describe yourself in 50 words or less.

Energetic, honest, hard working, animal lover, love business, love interesting people.

What are you currently working on?

Sales funnel/strategy for Popertee. We have a load of open enquiries that we want to of course close!

What led you to this?

To Popertee? I saw the success of Airbnb and wanted to replicate it for a new industry.

What drives you?

Being recognized for making change in a positive way. And seeing happy people based on what I’m doing. I love that.

Describe your typical day from waking up to going to bed.

So I drink 4 coffees a day on average, am on the phone/WhatsApp a lot. I’m meeting a load of property and marketing people all the time, Dublin and London. The team all sits together on one big desk so we’re all working closely and bouncing ideas and thoughts off each other. I usually lunch with some of the other founders in the building here, drive home about 7pm, make about 2-3 calls on the way home, usually personal. Pitstop at home to pick up Evelyn and Grace (dogs) and then hit the road to the yard where I keep George, my Connemara pony stallion. Ride him for about an hour, then get back home and either catch up on emails or if I can fit it in meet friends. Then bed, do hypnotherapy most nights and conk right out.

In 7 years from now: Where do you see yourself?

Exited from Popertee, consulting for other startups and playing with my Connemara ponies for 2 years whilst I clear my head.

Tell us about your best idea and worst execution.

I set up an online marketplace for selling horses about 5 years ago. It could have been brilliant but I built and hadn’t validated at all. So even though it looked slick at the time, no one was using it. I underestimated the fact that I also needed money to market it!

Tell us about your worst idea and best execution.

Hmmm, I suppose equestrian again where I felt compelled to set up a national Connemara pony show. Not that it was the worst idea, it’s more that I didn’t realise if you’re setting up a show, people expect it to be annual and I hadn’t future proofed this. The show was a huge success, I got great sponsors on board but it took a lot of work so I stopped running it after 3 years. There were disappointed people but it was probably a bad idea that I had started it in the first place!

What trend would you bet your money on? And how will it influence everyday life?

Smart devices will become cognitive and learn behaviours based on data. Less humans will be needed in current roles.

What seemed to be the most important thing in the world when you were 10 years old?

The most important thing was that I owned a pony. I used to go to bed every night and say “I wish I wish I had a pony”…and I made it happen!

Who is your hero and why?

Love Richard Branson – his values, his commitment to his team, his vision, his positivity, I love him.

What advice would you give first time entrepreneurs?

Get a great mentor!

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