Podcast Interview With Michael Morris From The Bearded Candle Makers

Fuelled by a passion for the outdoors and a genuine fascination with scent, Michael Morris went on to start The Bearded Candle Makers, a business that sells hand-crafted candles with exceptional scents.

In this week’s show, we caught up with Michael to chat about the wonderful world of scent, how smell is closely connected to our memory and why more and more fellas are buying candles.

This interview has been a real highlight of the year and I loved learning all about flow-state, how to balance business with art, what life is like as a maker and how a dog can sell candles…

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Matthew Thompson
Podcast Interview With Derry Fashionista Aoife Doherty From Sass & Halo

A few years ago Aoife Doherty ditched a career in law to pursue her dream of working in fashion. After studying and working abroad for a few years she came home to Derry and founded her own company Sass & Halo.

Sass & Halo creates incredible decorative headwear for festivals, weddings and much more. From their workshop in Derry Craft Village, Aoife and her team have been able to create bespoke products for a global audience and even have a range stocked in TopShop.

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Matthew Thompson
Podcast Interview With Rebekah + Jon Johanson: Lines & Current Jewellery

Had the absolute pleasure of chatting to the power couple behind Lines And Current a minimal jewellery brand making waves in Northern Ireland and beyond.

Rebekah and Jon Johanson run their own online gig - on their own terms - while juggling life with 4 kids.

In today's show, we get to chat about entrepreneurship, how to balance hectic seasons and the importance of storytelling in business.

Check it out!

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Matthew Thompson
Podcast Interview With Tea Master Oscar Woolley From Suki Tea

Meet Bill Wolsey, the Belfast-born man who has built a hospitality empire with some of the most noteworthy and memorable establishments in the UK. 

In this honest, casual conversation, Bill shares about the lessons he’s learnt along the way, how Beannchor balances creativity with profitability and how he juggles a large portfolio while prioritising family.

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Matthew Thompson
Pursuing Your Dreams: A Podcast Interview With Jude Henderson From OutsideIn

Meet Jude Henderson…The Comber woman who packed in her Corporate job to pursue her dream and passion.

Jude now works for OutsideIn, a street-wear brand that bridges the gap between society and homelessness through their unique wear on share one model.

In this interview we caught up with Jude to chat about the transition from a comfy steady job to start-up life, how to keep moving slowly towards your goals and why the big picture matters.

Check it out.

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Matthew Thompson
Podcast Interview With Linzi Rooney, The Creative Entrepreneur Behind Born And Bred/Studio Souk

Meet Linzi Rooney…The photographer who became a silversmith before founding a creative charity and opening a shop in George Best City Airport.

Our interview with Linzi Rooney was as diverse as her experience and passions.

Tune in for a fun, energetic conversation about creativity, making money as an artist, life in the departures lounge and the importance of supporting quality, local goods

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Matthew Thompson
Podcast Interview with Nancy Brown: The Innovative Coach Your Business Has Been Waiting For.

Q: What do you get when you cross a New Yorker, creativity, entrepreneurship and resilience?

A: Nancy Brown. 

Really enjoyed this chat with a personal mentor and friend of mine.

We dive deep into the importance of work-life balance, how to bounce back after a freak accident and how getting better quality sleep could take your business to the next level.

Hope you enjoy.

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Matthew Thompson
Podcast Interview With Simon Worthington, Editor Of Turf & Grain Magazine

Meet Simon Worthington, the EY accountant with the coolest hobby ever: founding, running and editing the beautiful Turf & Grain magazine.

Turf & Grain is a super-high-quality magazine that features in-depths interviews with noteworthy indiviudals across the whole island of Ireland.

Each issue is based around a theme. Last time it was ‘Makers’ and documented the stories of local craftsmen and women who are creating incredible things.

The magazine is a work of art and often feels more like a published book rather than a magazine… That’s all down to Simon’s absolute obsession with quality, slow-cooked journalism and creating something that is beautiful to showcase just how great this part of the world is.

In this interview we sat down with Simon at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast (where he does a lot of his work for Turf & Grain) to hear his story, how he manages to this while working for EY and how he balances the business side with the creative.

Check it out.

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Matthew Thompson
Drone Operator David Kenny from Soarscape (Podcast Interview)

Meet David Kenny, an accountant who packed it all in to start Soarscape, an aerial videography and photography company that covers all of your drone needs!

In this episode we hike up Cave Hill to chat about all things drones… how can they be used for good? Will they ever replace my post-man?

But we also dive deep into David’s personal story. What’s it like to be self-employed? How does one make money flying drones? What does a typical week look like for you?

Check it out.

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Matthew Thompson
Colin Geddis - Comedian and Podcaster (Video Interview)

Colin Geddis is the comedian behind online characters like Barry The Blender Henderson, The General Banter Podcast (which is pushing 1 million downloads) and stand-up gigs across Northern Ireland and beyond.

After exploding into local viral fame with his mockumentary 'I am Fighter' 9 years ago, Colin has been able to create a thriving career out of making people laugh. 

In today's show we get Colin on the other side of the mic to hear his story so far, the challenges he's faced a long the way and how podcasting is playing a massive role in that.

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Gavan Wall: King Of LinkedIn + Founder Of The Wall Group (Video Podcast)

Gavan Wall is the founder of The Wall Group, a company that owns a series of Spars, Subways and a YoggieBerrie in North Belfast. But he's probably most well known for his charisma, speed-mentoring and being the Northern Irish King of LinkedIn. In this episode, we get to chat about all thing from The Greatest Showman (asking if enough will ever be enough) why Gavan kicked booze out his life for good and why he didn't go to the hairdressers for 7 years...

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Matthew Thompson
Jess Lowe – Headshot Photographer – Best Of Belfast Podcast Interview

In this month's show, we sat down with Jess Lowe, a local headshot photographer with a passion for capturing the portraits of local entrepreneurs, creatives and business owners.

Jess is one of our city's best headshot photographers, and we have been so blown away by her work over the past few months and the process of her craft that we had to get her on the show so we could find out more.

In this episode, you'll hear Jess Lowe discuss her journey to self-employment, how she got into photography, who her clients are and how websites/social media pages have become the new shop window.

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Matthew Thompson
Micheal Deane: Chef + Restaurateur of Deanes Belfast (Full Video Podcast Interview)

Michael Deane is the godfather of fine dining in Northern Ireland and the chef/restaurateur behind the 'Deanes Belfast Empire.' With 7 establishments in the city and a Michelin star, Michael Deane's career as a chef is unarguably a huge success. But we caught up with him to hear about some of the challenges he faced along the way in this incredible journey, how he's seen the city change during his career and where he likes to eat in Belfast for under fiver!

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Matthew Thompson