In Tent On Success

Only the most committed outdoor types haven't been put off the whole camping experience by the too-hot or too cold airless sleeping environment that is the traditional tent. It's oh-so difficult to enjoy the great outdoors when the small indoors is so uncomfortable.

The Great Indoors Outdoors

A keen camper all his life, this week's Kickstart Your Business feature, Derek O'Sullivan of Thermo Tent, endured rather than enjoyed the under-canvas aspect of his camping trips, so decided to design an even more enjoyable camping experience by developing ' the thermo tent', a tent that insulates against both climate & noise.

From Base Camp To Summit

 George and Gerard applauded Derek's invention and ambition but suggested that he might consider climbing one peak at a time, rather than trying to scale the opportunities represented in the leisure camping, glamping and emergency shelter markets all at once.

In particular, Gerard recommended teaming up with festival event managers and the like to pitch the Thermo Tent to their customers. In this way, Derek is likely to be able to protect his relationship with the customer and keep his own profit margins competitive.

Pitch Your Ideas

What else can Derek and his team do to get the world sleeping under his Thermo Tent? Listen back to Derek 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 Newstalk 106 in Ireland every Thursday at 6.15pm, and is available to listen to on Playback immediately afterwards.

We Talk Tuk Tuk

Much of the thrill of visiting Asian cities such as Bangkok comes from sampling their bustling street-life aboard the ubiquitous tuk tuk taxis, which boldly go where other more unwieldy vehicles grind to a standstill.  Ever wondered what it might be like to sample Dublin's streets broad and narrow from the seat of this iconic transport?

Transported From Bangkok To Dublin

With a background in environment and heritage, archaeologist-turned-entrepreneur Thomas Carolan set up Tuk Tuk Dublin, this week's Kickstart Your Business feature, so that native Dubliners and visitors alike could explore the city's great and small outdoors from the best seats in town. Already, the distinctive electric vehicles are becoming a regular feature of the sight-seeing routes of old Dublin town.

Tech Tech Opportunities?

Both Gerard and George admired the boldness of Tuk Tuk Dublin's foray onto the streets, but suggested that Thomas needs to identify ways to keep the vehicle's gainfully deployed both in high and low tourist seasons.

In particular, Gerard suggested that many of Tuk Tuk Dublin's target customers are likely to be found working for many of the tech companies (both global and start-up) that have a need to ferry colleagues and clients throughout the city. Imagine for a moment how much colour and buzz a Dublin Tuk Tuk might add to the delegate experience at an event such as Dublin's now-iconic Web Summit.

Your Take On Tuk Tuk Dublin?

What else can Thomas and his team do to get the wheels of Tuk Tuk Dublin ticking over even faster? Listen back to Thomas 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 Newstalk 106 in Ireland every Thursday at 6.15pm, and is available to listen to on Playback immediately afterwards.

Have Dog, Will Travel

For the pet-owner planning a road-trip, it's a question of two legs good, six legs even better. But the appeal of travelling with faithful companion alongside soon fades when faced with the difficulties of planning an itinerary that guarantees the pet-friendly elements that make for a great travel experience. Although many accommodation and attraction providers promise a pet-friendly experience, the reality is often a huge disappointment.

One Man & His Dog-Friendly Idea

When this week's Kickstart Your Business featured guest, Gerry Molloy of WoofAdvisor, heard his pet-loving siblings complaining about how unsatisfactory it was to try and plan a trip away with man's best friend, he sniffed an opportunity to make pet-travel much more fun, and to build a great business besides.

He set up WoofAdvisor to include all of the information needed to plan the perfect road-trip with your pooch, much of it to be provided by other pet-lovers, keen to share the good news (and the cautionary tales) with their fellow travellers on the road.

Barking Mad About A Great Idea

Both Gerard and stand-in host Fergus Finlay applauded Gerry's pet project, with Gerard noting that whilst many online initiatives claim to create community (whilst really only enabling those with a common interest to congregate in some way), WoofAdvisor has the potential to capitalise on the true spirit of kinship that exists between one pet owner and another (and one pet with another for that matter!).

Give Us A Helpful Paw

What more can Gerry do to turn one man and his dog into one million and one? Listen back to Gerry 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 Newstalk 106 in Ireland every Thursday at 6.15pm, and is available to listen to on Playback immediately afterwards.

The Picture Perfect Business

As a child outgrows the playroom, and wall and fridge-door space is at a premium in the busy home, doting parents and grandparents alike are often reluctant to throw away the artworks created by their little ones.

But what to do with the piles of paper that gather dust and end up in drawers or attics where they languish unseen and unappreciated?

Now Picture This

Our Kickstart Your Business feature, doting parent and professional graphic designer Obi Nwana of ArtFables, identified an opportunity to establish a niche business by turning your children's original artwork into custom-designed coffee table books, to take pride of place in your family home, and display and preserve those precious paintings and drawings for future generations.

Balancing The Books

George and Gerard admired both the simplicity of Obi's idea, and the elegant way he offers it via his well-designed and accessible website. However, they agreed that rather than try to cater to a range of budgets by offering three ways to have the artwork bound (coil, perfect back and hard cover), Obi should concentrate on the premium end of the market (and put real distance between his offering and the DIY model that might be available to parents courtesy of a main-street or online printer).

Crayons At The Ready

What more can Obi do to turn parents and grandparents into more effective art-collectors? Listen back to Obi on Kickstart Your Business with ArtFables 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 Newstalk 106 in Ireland every Thursday at 6.15pm, and is available to listen to on Playback immediately afterwards.