The weekly podcast from Luke Curry and Mark Baker, discussing all things business, tech, creative, health, and general lifestyle advice. Each Wednesday join the brothers in-law, as they interview an eclectic range of guests from blue collar grafters to multi-millionaire investors, each with their own stories to tell, and lessons learned along the way. If you have a side hustle, want to start a passion project, or just want to hear some great career and life advice, this is the podcast for you.
Episodes
Monday Jan 24, 2022
Monday Jan 24, 2022
What is up SharkNation!
After a short hiatus Luke and Mark are back. On this episode Luke and Mark talk about their shared love of Irish band - U2.
Listeners had emailed asking us why Mark's art (markbakerart.com) has been so heavily influenced by U2.
The guys discuss their favourite albums, songs, performances and rants. And why they think the young people are missing out by not getting into the U2 back catalog.
A lighter topic than usual but with some live music clips and a fly on the wall experience for the listener.
For feed back : Luke@Shark.ie
Wednesday Jan 05, 2022
Wednesday Jan 05, 2022
What is up SharkNation!
On this episode Luke and Mark break down 2021 and chat about their biggest wins and losses as well as lessons learned along the way.
Key Takeaways:
1. Hindsight is 20-20: The guys reflect on their biggest wins of the year and some of the best decisions they made. At the time it's hard to see how small decisions will impact you.
2. Be careful how you spend your time - get an ROI: Luke discusses spending a couple of months during the year trading forex. He made money but the income vs time invested didn't make sense and the stress it caused was not worth the small profit.
3. There is no room for pessimism if you want to make money. Optimists are the ones who capitalise on opportunities.
For Feedback: Luke@shark.ie
Wednesday Dec 29, 2021
Wednesday Dec 29, 2021
What is up SharkNation!
In this episode Luke is starting to worry about his weight gain and sets up a 10 week challenge to get back to his sub 100kg - optimal weight. Final weigh in will be 7th March 2022.
Luke and Mark chat about the plan, the tools, and the method Luke has used in the past to achieve a 10kg weight loss in under 10 weeks.
The goal is to achieve body fat reduction and even if Luke doesn't get down to under 100kg - a reduction from 19.9% BF to under 17% will be considered a win.
You can follow Luke's Progress on the Shark.ie website under the blog section. Where Luke will share all his starting stats, graphs and before and after photos. Luke will also share the training plan if you would like to follow along.
For feedback or to send encouragement: Luke@shark.ie
Full plan for the challenge on our blog: https://www.shark.ie/post/how-to-lose-a-gut-in-10-weeks
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Friday Dec 17, 2021
What is up SharkNation!
We made it to 100 episodes! Thanks to all our listeners and guests over the past 2 years, it's been a great experience and we hope to continue to deliver content that helps our audience to "Keep Moving Forward".
On this special episode Luke and Mark sit down with Mark's business partner - Niall O'Kelly,Partner in Darwin Hawkins.
Mark and Niall started their finance recruitment business, Darwin Hawkins, just over 3 years ago and have built what they believe to be a lasting brand in the space. Niall, like Mark, is a qualified chartered accountant (training in PwC) and it was Niall that first suggested recruitment as a career path for Mark.
Key takeaways:
1. Entering a tried and tested industry, but do it your way, and do it well. This is perhaps a lesson that is lost on the millennial generation that look up to the Zucks and the Bezos' of the world and think they have to re-invent the wheel to be a success in business. The majority of successful businesses are built on the back of real life experience in an established industry. Niall and Mark learned the business by working at successful recruitment firm, this helped give them the know how and the network to go out on their own.
2. There is no perfect time to launch your business: Niall and Mark have weathered the initial covid storm and continue to grow the business. Timing is important but action trumps timing. Waiting around for perfect conditions is not the way to move forward.
3. Burn the boats - go all in: Lots of people start businesses as side hustles with the safety net of a corporate job - Niall and Mark went all in, leaving their secure jobs behind and grinding out the first 6 months in the face of adversity. With no way back - no boats to flee upon they were forced to build a lasting business that is now growing rapidly.
For more information on Niall: https://www.darwinhawkins.com/about/meet-the-team/
For feedback: Luke@shark.ie.
Friday Dec 10, 2021
Friday Dec 10, 2021
What is up SharkNation!
On this episode Luke and Mark chat to Ruaidhri (Rory) Prendergast, Entrepreneur, Coach, and Author - The Game Changer Formula.
The book is not just a look back on Ruaidhri's entrepreneurial journey, but also his experience sailing across olthe Atlantic Ocean and developing an "Operating System" for living a full and effective life.
Key takeaways from the Game Changer Formula:
1. The Power Vision: In order to build a map to where you are going in life, you need to have a clear picture about what you want.
2. Priming yourself for success: The book describes, in detail, how to build a 'mindset manual' that allows you to set intentional focus for the day.
3. Decide on the vision, then back engineer the actions: If you have a clear vision 15 years from now, all you need to do is back engineer the actions to take every 5 years, every year, every month, every week, every day, and you should be able to achieve your goals.
4. Accountability is key: The book describes the power of accountability and how you should leverage this to achieve your vision for your life.
If you'd like to learn more about Ruaidhri and take advantage of the free training he provides businesses owners and startup founders, you can learn more here: https://roryprendergast.com/learning/.
For feedback: Luke@shark.ie
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
What is up SharkNation!
Today on the podcast Luke and Mark chat to Paddy Finn, CEO - VIOTAS.
VIOTAS was born from a desire and drive to lead the development of smart grid technology and accelerate the use of renewable energy worldwide.
In order for green energy (like wind or solar) to work effectively, there must be a system in place to manage down time and ensure balanced output of energy to the masses. VIOTAS solves for this and also allows their customers to earn income in the process.
Key takeaways:
1. Starting a company in a competitive landscape is fine as long as you offer a better service. Paddy mentioned there were perhaps 10 competitors already in Ireland when they started the company.
2. It's a big world out there. You should think about how your product or service can serve customers in different territories.
3. Passion is key to enjoying your work. Paddy talks about the staff at the company feeling like they are solving a problem worth solving, this helps drive them forward during tough times.
4. Relationships are as important as good ideas. Paddy talks about the close ties the firm has with regulators and other state bodies, this helps allow the company to evolve in lock step with the government regulations.
For more information on VIOTAS: https://viotas.com/about-us/
For feedback contact Luke@shark.ie
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
What is Up SharkNation!
In this episode Luke and Mark break down the Ryan Holiday best seller - The Obstacle is the Way.
'The Obstacle is the Way' is a book about being ruthlessly optimistic and rational in life. We tend to get easily dejected, disappointed, and frustrated by our failures and eventually give up too easily. The author argues that with a simple change in our perspective and attitude, what seems like challenging obstacles to become once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The book is build on the concepts of stoicism but uses modern examples to illustrate points to the reader.
Key takeaways:
1. The book gives the reader a good grounding in stoicism and allows the reader to reflect on how this philosophy can help them navigate life.
2. Perception is key. How you see obstacles will determine the action you take. Lost your job? How can you see this as an opportunity?
3. Action is Key. You must continue on the path no matter the challenges in your way. It's the staying power that produces the most impressive results in life. You must not get rattled, angry, or upset by setbacks.
4. Amor fati. Love everything that happens to you and meditate on your own mortality. By accepting what is, and putting events into the context of your own mortality you will be able to be proactive rather than reactive.
Luke and Mark give the book an 8/10
For feedback: Luke@Shark.ie
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
What is up SharkNation!
On this episode, Luke and Mark go deep on the business of YouTube with veteran Irish Youtuber and Entrepreneur, Paddy Galloway.
Paddy has built a business around not only growing his own YouTube channels, but also consulting for some of the world's biggest YouTubers like Mr. Beast.
Paddy shares the basics of the Youtube business and explains why some people succeed but also why most people fail to capture an audience and grow a business on YouTube.
Key takeaways:
1. Start now - Paddy explains how it could take up to 3 years to figure out your approach to building a YouTube audience
2. You can learn and improve - Paddy helps some of the biggest YouTubers in the world grow their views by the millions. If those experts have something to learn - so do you.
3. Skip getting a 'real job' after collage to satisfy other people. If you have a passion and think you can make a living in it, then go for it.
4. Guarantee results, if you can: Almost no business will commit to giving you an ROI. If you're like Paddy and can deliver value - commit to it and stand out from the crowd.
For more on paddy: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClga3ybuyyjpvqsh-cf3DvQ.
For feedback: Luke@Shark.ie
Wednesday Nov 03, 2021
Wednesday Nov 03, 2021
What is Up SharkNation!
In this episode Luke and Mark chat with Ireland's Premier Caricaturist - Niall O'Loughlin (caricatures.ie).
Widely regarded as one of the ‘best in the business’ and the most well-known caricaturist in Ireland, Niall enjoys sell-out exhibitions and has appeared on numerous Radio and TV shows including the Saturday night and Late Late show and completed commissions for many well known celebrities from both Ireland and abroad.
Mark has known Niall for many years and Niall was a mentor for Mark when Mark was breaking into the art business. They have stayed in touch, had numerous joint exhibitions, and in this episode Luke and Mark talk to Niall about his career path and building a successful art business in Ireland.
Key takeaways:
1. Improve constantly: Niall mentions repeatedly during the podcast that constant improvement is the best way to stay relevant and growing as an artist and as business person. Warning... Mark and Niall get quite technical!
2. You'll have to take risks: Niall talks about leaving a steady job to pursue being an Artist full time. Through trial and error he developed a niche in weddings services and this is still the foundation of Niall's business today.
3. Talent is not enough - you need exposure: The Late Late Show is the biggest talk show on Irish TV - after Niall was featured here his business took off. You need to get seen and come up with creative ways to reach new audiences.
4. Know what pays the bills: Niall enjoys all different kinds of painting but he focuses on caricatures as the core part of his business.
For more info on Niall: caricatures.ie
For feedback: Luke@shark.ie
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
What is up SharkNation!
Today on the SharkPod Luke and Mark chat to Alan Coleman - Founder and CEO of Wolfgang Digital.
In 2007, Alan fell in love with AdWords and applied for a job in Google. He believed then, as he does now, that Google was the best marketing opportunity the world had ever seen. So, when he didn’t get the job, he decided “fekkit I’m going to do this for myself”, and he started digital marketing agency Wolfgang Digital on his kitchen table.
Fast forward to 2021 and:
- Wolfgang has been awarded status as Google's No 1 Search Partner and No 1 Shopping Partner in EMEA.
- Wolfgang has won Best Large Integrated Agency in Europe, twice.
- Wolfgang has won Best SEO Agency in the World!
Key Takeaways:
1. You gotta hustle: The agency lives off its reputation today but in the beginning cold outreach was the only method to get the first customers in the door.
2. Legitimacy matters - Alan mentions the business took off once they had a real office address included on their website.
3. Sell ROI: If you can make money for your customers - and prove it - you'll be fine. Focus on this ability first.
4. Look after yourself: Alan moved to a 4 day week to help him enjoy life more and give himself time to explore other interests. One of these became the Wolfgang Reforest Mission - to restore Ireland's devestated natural forestry... And reintroduce Wolves to Ireland!
For more info on Wolfgang: https://www.wolfgangdigital.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwzt6LBhBeEiwAbPGOgTcM2ga-5bYd0tl12cW26x3hhOlgPbBf0-7y5hKPKi4L0fxfDgOLzxoCB8gQAvD_BwE
For feedback: Luke@shark.ie