When Androids Dream: Love And Robots

Choosing thoughtful presents is one of those skills that some people effortlessly have, but for most of us, we struggle to find the a gift that says more than 'I just rushed into the nearest shop, panicked and then bought you this!'

The right gift, carefully chosen, recognises the individuality of the receiver and even better, rewards the giver with gratitude and brownie points. A win/win situation, but one we don't find ourselves in too often.

The Power Of The Personal

Our featured business on Kickstart Your Business Love&Robots is here to help us win a few more brownie points. Founded by three sisters Emer, Katie and Aoibheann O'Daly, Love&Robots uses  advancements in 3D printing and digital manufacturing to establish a personalised and made-to-order offering to compete with the mass-produced gifts available on the main street.

We're Not Robots You Know

Whilst Gerard admired the way in which Love&Robots helps androids dream, he suggested that the website plays down the part that design ingenuity plays in helping customers to create their own personalised gift.

He recommended that the DIY element be given much more prominence in the overall offering so that newcomers are left in no doubt as to how they can bring a little love to the robotic mix.

Over To You

What can the sisters do to spread the love (and robots) and grow their business? Listen back to Love&Robots on Kickstart Your Business and tell us what you think.

We'd love to hear from you.

Kickstart Your Business is broadcast live on The Right Hook on Newstalk106 in Ireland every Thursday at 6.15pm and is available on Playback immediately afterwards.

A Shoe-In For Success

"A shoe is not only a design, but it's a part of your body language, the way you walk. The way you're going to move is quite dictated by your shoes" Christian Louboutin

He would have to say that, wouldn't he, after making a fortune from designing outrageously expensive footwear? But, he has a point. Well-made quality shoes can be the difference between stepping out in style and stepping 'ouch' in discomfort.

Best Foot Forward

This week's feature start-up on Kickstart Your Business was Equipage, an Irish company who believe it's not only important for the shoe to maketh the man, but for the man (or woman), with a little help from the experts, to maketh the shoe!

Founded by Julien Berwick, a shoe designer, maker and trainer, and Marie Brennan, an arts development expert, Equipage, alongside its atelier-based offer Shoeniverstity, are in the business of producing handmade dynamic footwear for a world market.

The Right Shelf

Although the Equipage approach is rooted in the traditional atelier model (where customers learn to make their own shoes and, potentially launch their own range of footwear, under the watchful eyes of Julien and Marie), this model is longer one that's familiar to today's mainstream customers.

With that in mind, Gerard suggested that the Equipage team needs to make it very clear on which 'shelf' their offer sits. Is it the one marked 'Fun Day Out' or 'Expert Craftwork'? Whilst these two offers can work alongside one another, the Shoeniversity site is currently sending mixed rather than complementary messages.

Over To You

What can Marie and Julien do in order to make their offer even more engaging? Listen back to Equipage on Kickstart Your Business and let us know what you suggest?

We'd love to hear from you.

Kickstart Your Business is broadcast live on The Right Hook on Newstalk106 in Ireland every Thursday at 6.15pm and is available on Playback immediately afterwards.

Bizimply The Best

One of the most important operations in any service business is managing staff and shift schedules. It can be tricky and time consuming, even when the business operates from just one premises but add in multiple locations, and the challenge escalates.

Up to now, owners and managers have used spreadsheets, notebooks, punchcard machines and emails in order to keep on top of it but surely there must be a simpler way of managing employee scheduling and timesheets?

A Zimple Idea

Our latest Kickstart Your Business feature Bizimply is a simple workforce management software for any business with an hourly team. The brainchild of Gerard Forde, a director with the popular café chain Nude, the simple app aims to change the way restaurants and retail businesses manage their workforce forever.

A Harder Working Brand

Whilst Gerard T. and George recognised the powerful zimplicity of the brand name, they suggested that Gerard F. and his team must build a much harder-working brand that can clock in from the get-go and put in a great shift in winning over new customers, and becoming a real talking point amongst potential customers.

The challenge for a software startup lies in gaining real prominence in a sector. Great brands ooze personality, and Bizimply needs to step up in terms of bringing the offer to life in an even more engaging way.

Over To You

What can Bizimply do to suggest that the zimple things in business as in life really are the best? Listen back to Bizimply on Kickstart Your Business and let us know what you'd do?

We'd love to hear from you.

Kickstart Your Business is broadcast live on The Right Hook on Newstalk106 in Ireland every Thursday at 6.20pm and is available on Playback immediately afterwards.

A Great Night's Sleep With Care To Comfort

Nothing drains our energy or ability to recover from an illness or injury like tossing and turning uncomfortably throughout the night, and as anyone caring for an elderly parent at home will tell you, conventional beds are not designed to cater for people with compromised mobility.

There are specialised beds available but up to now, those beds have been strong on function and very poor on form, creating an unfortunate hospital-like environment in the home.

Sleep Tight

Care To Comfort, our featured Kickstart Your Business start-up, have developed a range of electric adjustable beds that are both elegant and practical. Founded by Yvonne Cassidy and Martin Deasy, Care To Comfort promises a product designed to fully support your body in a stress-less position, thus dramatically improving the quality of your sleep.

A Bedtime Story With A Difference

Whilst Yvonne was naturally keen to remind listeners that the Care To Comfort range of beds will prove a boon to many different types of people facing sleeping difficulties, Gerard stressed the importance of focusing first on those ideal customers who are most likely to "need, want, value and be able and willing to pay for" a perfect bed.

Based on some of their success stories, these are likely to be families caring for a loved one at home who require hospital-standard support in a more hospitable environment.

Over To You

What can Yvonne and Martin do to appeal to their ideal customers? Listen back to Care To Comfort on Kickstart Your Business and let us know what you suggest?

We'd love to hear from you.

Kickstart Your Business is broadcast live on The Right Hook on Newstalk106 in Ireland every Thursday at 6.20pm and is available on Playback immediately afterwards.