The State pension in Ireland currently sits at just under €300 per week for a full contributory pension. For many people, that is not enough on its own to cover the lifestyle they would like, particularly when you factor in rising costs, energy bills, healthcare, and general day-to-day living. This is where planning ahead makes a real difference, because the gap between what the State provides and what you actually need can be significant.

A useful way to think about it is this: many people aim for a retirement income of around 70 to 75 percent of their working salary to maintain a similar standard of living. When you break that down, the State pension might cover a portion of that, but the rest has to come from somewhere else, usually a pension, savings, or investments.

For those in their fifties, this is often the most important decade financially. You still have earning power, and crucially, you still have time. Pension contributions at this stage benefit from tax relief at your marginal rate, which can be a significant advantage. For example, a €1,000 pension contribution may only cost €600 if you are paying tax at 40 per cent. Increasing contributions during these years can have a meaningful impact on your eventual pension pot.

Investment strategy also becomes more important at this stage. Many people have pensions or funds sitting in very cautious or default options that may not be aligned with their timeframe. While risk should always be managed carefully, having some exposure to growth assets over the medium term can be essential to ensure your money keeps pace with inflation. Leaving everything in cash or very low-risk funds for too long can actually reduce your purchasing power over time.

In your sixties, the conversation begins to shift. It becomes less about building aggressively and more about structuring your assets properly. This is where understanding how and when you can access your pension, how much you can draw down, and how to make that income last becomes key. Many pensions in Ireland can be accessed from age 50 once you have left employment, and having a clear plan around drawdown versus lump sums can make a significant difference to long-term sustainability.

At this stage, it is also important to ensure you have a mix of accessible funds and longer-term income. A common approach is to have a portion of your money easily available for short-term needs, while the rest continues to work in the background to provide income over time. This avoids the need to dip into long-term investments too early or during market fluctuations.

By your seventies and eighties, financial planning becomes much more about simplicity and security. The priority shifts to ensuring that regular expenses are covered, that there is a buffer for unexpected costs, and that finances are easy to manage. This might include consolidating accounts, simplifying investments, and ensuring that everything is clearly structured.

This is also the stage where vulnerability can become a real concern. Relying solely on the State pension, or not having access to additional funds, can create pressure not just for the individual, but for their family. Planning ahead is what allows people to maintain independence for longer, make their own decisions, and avoid putting financial strain on those around them.

Across all stages, one of the biggest issues I see is that people either hold too much in cash or avoid investing altogether because they are unsure where to start. While cash is important for short-term security, keeping large amounts sitting in deposit accounts over long periods can mean that inflation gradually erodes its value. Even a modest return of four to five per cent annually over time can significantly change outcomes compared to leaving money idle.

That said, it is never about putting everything into one place. A well-structured financial plan will typically include a mix of savings for immediate access, investments for medium to long-term growth, and pensions for future income. The balance between these will depend entirely on the individual, their age, and their goals.

The most important step is not getting everything perfect from day one. It is starting. Reviewing what you have, understanding where you stand, and making small, informed adjustments over time. That might mean increasing a pension contribution, moving money out of low-return accounts, or simply getting clarity on what your current plan looks like.

Because when you strip it all back, financial planning is not about chasing returns or complicated strategies. It is about making sure that as you get older, you still have options. Options to live where you want, spend your time how you choose, and make decisions without financial pressure.

Halpin Wealth Management offers free consultations. Visit www.hwm.ie or email info@hwm.ie to learn more.

And rightly so: unless you are fortunate enough to be a cash buyer, getting AIP’d by a mortgage lender is a crucial step on the road to home ownership, and one that should be celebrated. However, it is only that – a step! – and to be frank, perhaps the most important words in the term Approval in Principle are the last two: ‘in principle’. 

Indeed, while it sounds very official, and looks quite fancy when printed neatly on the bank’s headed paper, the AIP does not actually commit the potential lender to anything, nor does it mean that the prospective borrower can suddenly relax and start spending without a care in the world, or stop that carefully-planned savings regime, which has been in place for the last six months. All the AIP really means is that a bank has looked at an applicant’s income and savings at a specific point in time, and agreed that for a particular period (typically six months or a year, depending on the lender) they would in theory … all else being equal … but only if nothing significant changes, and the cost of living stays broadly the same … and the house being purchased is up to their standards, be willing to consider lending the money required to buy it. 

This last qualification is an important one and emphasises that the mortgage assessments conducted by banks have two main targets: the applicants themselves and the property they are hoping to purchase. Bank of Ireland, for example, may think that recent applicant John, with his strong income, consistent savings, and absence of short-term debt, is the ideal candidate for a mortgage, but if he returns two months post-approval, having gone sale agreed on a ‘doer-upper’ which sits in an area prone to flooding and on land whose boundary is disputed by neighbours, his AIP won’t be worth the paper it’s printed on. Bank of Ireland, along with any other Irish mortgage lender, will be incredibly wary of this house because if they ever need to repossess it, they themselves won’t be able to easily sell it on and thus get their money back. Getting paid is ultimately what matters to the banks, understandably enough. 

What an AIP ‘will’ do, however, is allow recipients to go house hunting, meaning they can view homes in their preferred area, engage with estate agents, and crucially place bids. Should they then go sale agreed on a house that the bank approves of (a valuer will be sent by the bank to assess the property), and no significant changes to the applicant’s circumstances have occurred (such as a marriage, the birth of a child, a promotion or demotion at work, or a change of employment altogether), they will be well placed to receive a Loan Offer from the bank, which is a much more meaningful document than the AIP. Also known as a Letter of Offer, this is a formal, legally binding document from a lender outlining all the mortgage’s important details, such as the term-length and interest rate, and it will also list the requirements/conditions which need to be met in order to eventually draw down the funds. 

While Loan Offers do sometimes include ‘special conditions’ specific to more complicated cases, many of them will simply include the requirements typical for any mortgage, such as the need to have both home and life insurance in place for the term of the loan. Of course, even this standard small print can sometimes cause issues, namely when people belatedly discover they cannot get either home or life insurance for one reason or another. Both scenarios can be very difficult for prospective borrowers to navigate, and banks are rarely, ‘if ever’, willing to waive this condition or compromise on it. The house insurance, for example, really needs to have all the main perils — fire, flood, subsidence — covered to satisfy the bank, and there are parts of West Cork and the wider county where both flooding and subsidence have caused issues in the past. Subsidence, where there is movement of a building’s foundation caused by the loss of support from the soil beneath it, tends to be more of an issue in Cork City, but flooding has historically occurred in West Cork towns such as Skibbereen and Bandon, so if house hunting in these areas it’s worth asking yourself “will I be able to insure this home to the bank’s satisfaction?” Getting ahead of potential pitfalls like this can prevent heartbreak down the line and ease the drawdown process for all involved. 

Issues with life insurance (known in broker-speak as ‘mortgage protection’) can be even harder to navigate. Once upon a time, banks were sometimes willing, in certain cases, to waive the requirement for life cover, but since the 2008 financial crisis they have become much stricter about this, as they have about many other things. Essentially, if your income is being used as part of the mortgage assessment, either as a single or joint applicant, you will ‘need’ to have life cover in place to draw down the funds, without exception. The policy will be legally assigned to the bank, meaning they essentially own a policy on your life, and this is designed to protect the lender should a mortgage holder pass away or become unable to work during the term of the mortgage. 

In sum, if you are hoping to apply for a mortgage at any point in the future but also have reason to believe you may struggle to get life cover, perhaps due to an ongoing medical condition, it is worth investigating your options now, even prior to getting AIP’d. This can be done in numerous ways, but one is to speak with a life insurance expert at somewhere like Moneytree Finance – (We don’t just do mortgages you know!)  — who will be advise you on the best way forward. 

If you are a potential mortgage borrower and you have questions about any of the topics discussed above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Moneytree Finance today.  

by Naomi Fein

I know that feeling. You’re talking about something you care deeply about – something you’ve built, something that matters – and you can feel the other person closing off. Their eyes shift. Their shoulders soften in a way that isn’t quite listening anymore. Your story never connected with their heart. And the more you talk, the more they retreat. Tony from Daylight.ie knows that feeling too.

Tony’s product – the E’Window – uses LED Sky Panel technology to mimic natural daylight from sunrise to sunset, delivering its health benefits to any enclosed or windowless space. 

Tony has done his research: gathering learning from Professor Russell Foster at Oxford on sleep and circadian rhythm, and from Professor Glen Jeffreys at UCL on the importance of morning daylight, and he has stories about daylight for every industry that could benefit from it. When he came to me, his challenge was getting his message across. He has an excellent product, real expertise, solid science – but his pitch wasn’t landing.

Looking at his work together, the problem became clear. Tony, like most of us, assumed that if you give people enough good information, they’ll make the right decision. 

This challenge calls for the ‘Elephant, the Rider, and the Path’ – a model popularised by Chip and Dan Heath’s book: ‘Switch’. I’ve used it with clients again and again for over a decade. It shifts how people understand their own communication. And once they see it, they can’t unsee it.

The Elephant, the Rider,
and the Path
Jonathan Haidt described it first: we’re not one unified self. We’re a rider on an elephant. The Rider is the rational mind – it wants facts, proof, logic. The Elephant is the heart – it needs to feel that something matters, to have a reason to move. Most of us, when we’re passionate, flood the Rider with information and hope the Elephant follows. It doesn’t work that way.

Chip and Dan Heath built on Haidt’s idea in their book ‘Switch’, adding a third element: the Path. Even when the Elephant is moved, and the Rider is convinced, if the next step is unclear or feels too hard, nothing happens. The door stays closed.

And, it’s important to also remember, every Elephant is different, and every Elephant already has a direction it’s heading. Trying to redirect one that’s committed elsewhere takes enormous energy – and usually fails. The smarter question is: whose Elephant is already moving in the direction I’m heading?

Back to Tony. He identified care homes and hospitals as sectors that would most benefit from his product, with two key entry points: the Director of Nursing and the facility manager. Two completely different Elephants. The Director of Nursing’s Elephant moves toward healing and patient wellbeing – research shows that patients in daylight-filled rooms recover faster and go home sooner. The facility manager’s Elephant is heading toward cost control and efficiency – shorter patient stays mean lower costs. Same product. Two different stories. Two different conversations.

In Tony’s own words: “Before our session, I thought if I gave people enough information, they’d understand how good this is. Now I see I was flooding the room. Naomi’s visuals made it click: I need to find the person whose elephant is already moving in the right direction, and tell them the story that speaks to their heart first. Once they’re engaged, I can share the information that will help them make an informed decision.”

Engage the Elephant, inform the Rider, clear the Path
So before your next meeting, pitch, or work on any communication material, ask yourself:

How can I engage the Elephant? This means starting with what they care about and what motivates them – not what you care about. Ask, what does your audience care about? Can you connect your story to what they already value? Do your passion and motivation align? 

How can I inform the Rider? Direct the rider using relevant information. Ask: What information would support your audience’s motivation? Is the information short enough to actually land? Are the key facts there without drowning everything else? Edit ruthlessly – keep only what serves the outcome you’re trying to achieve.

How can I clear the Path? Ensure you shape the path to the results you want. Ask: Is the next step obvious? Have you removed the blocks and made yes easier than no? If saying yes still requires effort or guesswork, most people won’t take it.

Why is this hard to do alone?

Once you know something deeply, it becomes almost impossible to see it the way someone encountering it for the first time would. Chip and Dan Heath call it “the curse of knowledge”. That’s not a personal failing – it’s the nature of expertise.

If what you’ve read here resonated, and you notice a touch of that curse, feel free to reach out – we can explore a better way forward together.

Book your free conversation at thinkvisual.ie/letschat or call me on 086 3743132.

And if you’re curious about Tony’s E’Window, reach him at tony@daylight.ie.

My wife sometimes has trouble remembering the colour of the car I am testing. But no trouble last week as my test car, the Leap B10, came in Purple.

Colour is always important when buying a new car, especially for first-time buyers who may have had a favourite colour in their mind for years.

According to Google, the colour purple is associated with a variety of meanings, including wisdom, creativity, royalty, power, ambition and luxury. It can also represent magic, extravagance, peace, pride, independence and wealth. Do you fit into any of those categories?

Leap is the latest Chinese brand to come to Ireland. It’s a company that was only founded in 2015 and didn’t sell its first car until 2019. Yet in six years it has already sold over one million cars worldwide.

The B10 is Leap’s third model to be introduced to Ireland, following on the T03 city car and C10 SUV. The B10 is a mid-sized SUV that is designed to be budget-friendly while still providing modern technology and a huge amount of interior space for five well-built passengers.

Leap say they expect their main competitors in the Irish market for their B10 will be the BYD Atto 2 and Kia’s Elroq, but it’s larger in all dimensions than both of those cars.

Later in the year there will be a Hybrid version of the B10 and two more electric EV models, so by the end of 2026 Leap will have six cars on sale in Ireland.

Externally the car looks very solid. Inside you get a minimalistic look. The dash is dominated by a 14.6-inch display which works well. There are no old-style buttons on the dash. As mentioned earlier the interior is really spacious with plenty of leg and head room.

The boot is a decent size, officially 525 litres and you also get a Frunk at the front, which has 25 litres of space. And like their European counterparts, the Chinese don’t supply spare wheels either.

Prices start at €32,984 and the range in the small 56.2kWh battery is approx. 360km, while the larger 67.1kWh battery which I drove, should give you close to 430km with a full charge. It’s a fine spacious car with a good range and has a very competitive price. 

Leapmotor now have seven dealers in Ireland: Bright Airside, Swords, Dublin, Bright, Navan Road, Dublin, Dan Seaman Motors, Forge Hill, Cork, Fitzpatrick’s Garage, Naas, Greenhall Motors, Buttevant, Cork, Joe Norris Motors, Navan and Kennys, Tuam Road, Galway.

Apart from the Dawn Purple version I drove, other colours available are: Night Blue, Metallic Black, Galaxy Silver, Light White and Tundra Grey. 

Most new cars open when you approach with the fob in your pocket. However, Leap cars are opened by moving the fob card over part of the driver’s wing mirror. Don’t be caught out if you ask for a test drive and cannot figure how to get into the car. You might also have to ask where is the small button to open the boot.

James Brooks, who is the Opel M.D in Ireland, is also overseeing the Leap segment in Gowans and he says that Leap will benefit from the reputation and experience of their extensive dealer network. James is encouraging Irish motorists to ‘Take the Leap’ and take a test drive in one of their new cars.

We rarely ask the same question about our money. What are you growing financially right now? Not what you hope to grow, or what you plan to get around to later, but what your current habits are actually building.

Because whether we realise it or not, we are all growing something. For some, it is savings, small amounts put aside consistently, building a sense of security over time. For others, it might be debt slowly creeping up, not through one big decision, but through a series of small ones. For many, it is simply standing still, where money comes in, money goes out, and nothing is really being built in the background. And for some, it is stress, that constant feeling of not quite knowing where you stand.

None of this is about judgement. It is simply about awareness. Money tends to grow in the direction we give attention to. If everything is focused on today, then today is all that gets looked after. But when even a small bit of attention is given to the future, things begin to shift.

Savings, investing and pensions are often spoken about as if they are big, complicated steps. In reality, they each play a very simple role. Savings give you breathing space, investments give your money a job, and pensions give your future self options. But it is not about choosing one over the other. It is about having a mix of all three working quietly in the background.

Savings are what get you through the unexpected. The car repair, the higher-than-usual bill, the month where everything seems to land at once. Without savings, every surprise becomes stress. With even a small buffer, you have breathing room. Investments are what allow your money to grow beyond what you could do by saving alone. Leaving everything sitting in cash might feel safe, but over time it can lose value. Investing, even in small amounts, gives your money a purpose and allows it to build in the background while you focus on your day-to-day life. Pensions are the long game. They are often the easiest to ignore because they feel so far away, but they are one of the most powerful tools you have. They benefit from time more than anything else, and starting earlier, even with small amounts, can make a significant difference later on.

When these three areas work together, they create balance. You are covered for today, building for tomorrow, and protecting your future at the same time. When one is missing, it can create pressure elsewhere. Too much focus on spending today can leave you exposed later, while focusing only on long-term saving without flexibility can leave you stretched in the short term.

One of the biggest things I see is people waiting. Waiting to earn more, waiting for life to calm down, waiting until they feel more organised. The intention is always there, but time moves on quickly, and ‘later’ has a way of becoming much further away than expected. The longer you leave it, the harder it becomes to build momentum.

The truth is, most people do not have a money problem. They have a starting problem. It is not about having thousands to invest or large amounts to save. It is about building the habit of doing something consistently. It might be €20 a week into savings, a small pension contribution, or finally setting up something you have been putting off. Small, steady actions will always have more impact than big plans that never quite happen.

And real life does need to be factored in. Between the weekly shop and everything else life throws in, it is easy to feel like there is nothing left to put away. But even in those seasons, awareness matters. Knowing what is coming in, what is going out, and what is quietly building in the background puts you back in control. Doing nothing is still a decision. The question is whether that decision is giving you the outcome you want.

This is not about cutting out everything you enjoy or putting your life on hold. It is about balance. Enjoying today while still looking after tomorrow. You do not need to overhaul everything overnight, and you do not need a perfect plan. But having some structure, even a simple one, changes how money feels. It moves from something reactive to something intentional.

If you were to stop for a moment and look at your current habits, what would they say? Are they building security, flexibility, and options for the future, or are they simply getting you through the month? There is no right or wrong answer, only an opportunity to adjust.

Because the reality is, your financial future is not built in one big moment. It is built quietly, in everyday choices, over time. And whether you realise it or not, something is growing.

Halpin Wealth Management offers free consultations. Visit www.hwm.ie or email info@hwm.ie to learn more.

Applying for a mortgage as a first-time buyer is a daunting task, so it’s no surprise that many potential borrowers turn to the internet (and increasingly AI apps such as Chat GPT or Google Gemini) for advice before speaking with a bank or broker. Generally speaking, this is no harm – it makes sense to do some basic research any time you do something for the first time, after all. However, this approach does have some potential pitfalls, and from speaking with many first-time buyers it is clear there is still plenty of misinformation and outdated advice lurking out there on the world wide web! 

To give one relatively common example, I still sometimes speak to people who believe that they need a positive, US-style ‘credit score’ to get mortgage approved in Ireland, and have even met potential borrowers who, for the sake of it, took out a small loan purely with the intention of paying it back on time. These well-intentioned folks mistakenly believed that doing so would give them a ‘good’ credit score ahead of their mortgage application, but Irish credit reports don’t work like this, and Irish mortgage lenders don’t look at an applicant’s credit history in this manner anyway (though they do of course care if you have previously gone into arrears on a loan or written down debt in the past). To spell it out clearly: you do not need to have a previous credit history to get a mortgage in Ireland. For many people, their mortgage will be the first loan they’ve ever had.   

This example is one of the more persistent myths about what Irish banks and mortgage lenders are looking for (I blame this fact on us watching too many American TV shows!), but it is not the only one, so I thought it would be worthwhile to expand a little more on how the banks think when assessing a mortgage application. 

Are the banks eternal pessimists? 

First things first, it is true that banks tend to think in worst case scenarios. I don’t say this to worry or scare anyone who’s thinking of applying for a mortgage, but it’s worth bearing in mind as you try to understand the thought process of the people who’ll be running a fine-tooth comb over you and your finances! Put simply, the bank’s primary underlying question will always be: will we get paid!? This is obvious in the sense that they will want to see proof an applicant can afford the potential monthly mortgage payments, but the question will also underpin their assessment of your lifestyle (to the extent they can discern it from your bank statements) and the house you are hoping to buy. In the former case, for example, banks are always looking for behaviours that could one day become addictions. Gambling transactions and ‘excessive’ alcohol purchases (emphasis on ‘excessive’; you don’t need to be teetotal to receive mortgage approval!) are well-known ones, but less obviously addictive purchases such as Playstation and Xbox games/add-ons can also make the banks wary, if large in number. Their logic will be: if John and/or Mary are up all night playing PlayStation, how will they get up in time for work? And if they don’t go to work, how will they pay their mortgage? 

The same pessimistic outlook will apply if you try to buy a home that is in any way ‘unusual’, or if it has a complication such as a contested boundary with neighbours or a right of residence for a third party. Here the thinking will be: if we ever have to repossess this home, will we be able to sell it and get our money back? And if the answer is not a simple ‘yes’, you can expect some pushback from the mortgage assessors. The bank might think John and Mary, with their strong income and consistent savings, are the cleanest case ever, but if they don’t like the look of the house they’ve decided to buy, they won’t be relaxing their rules, or taking a chance on anything, for John and Mary’s sake. Remember, the person assigned to assess your mortgage may one day have to explain their decision to his or her superior, so it is in their best interest to err on the side of caution. And with the average sized mortgage in Ireland now being well in excess of €300,000 – €319,187, to be precise — we are talking about large sums of money here, after all. No one wants to be the employee who signed off on a massive mortgage that was never paid back. 

This brings me to an important, often overlooked point: we think of the banks as large, impersonal, and intensely bureaucratic organisations, but at the end of the day banks are made up of ‘people’. This applies even to the largest ‘traditional’ banks, such as AIB and Bank of Ireland, each of which has thousands of employees, most of whom operate behind the scenes and out of sight. Put another way, all of Ireland’s mortgage lenders are staffed by human beings like you and me – people who have both good and (hopefully occasional) bad days at work. When speaking with clients, I sometimes use the National Car Test (NCT) as an analogy: much like a mortgage application, the NCT is a ‘minimum standards/criteria’ test. If you pass the right tests, and tick the right boxes, you will pass/be approved, and most of the time the assessors ‘want’ to see you leaving with a smile on your face (it makes their own day easier, if nothing else!). Every now and again, though, you will run into the wrong tester on the wrong day, and that person will decide to query something, or take a stand on something, that would have sailed through without issue the day before.

This is very frustrating from a mortgage broker’s point of view, as we can never quite be sure what the banks will ask us when we submit an application, but that’s just how the system works. Wherever human beings are involved, unpredictability will be present, and no amount of bank guidelines will ever make matters truly black and white. And this is why ‘Google it’ is not always good advice. I’m biased, of course, but in my view, when it comes to mortgage applications, the best way of being well-informed on anything but the most basic information is to speak with a broker! So, if you do have any mortgage questions, in relation to the above or just in general, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Moneytree Finance today. 

Think Business by Naomi Fein

Growing up, I was part of an orienteering youth group, where I learned that when you’re unsure if you’re on the right track, the first thing to do is stop. Look around, identify landmarks, and climb the nearest hill to get a better viewpoint. Find yourself on the map and make sure you’re facing the right direction. Learning to read the map can make the difference between being lost and finding your way to the hot meal waiting at camp.

The same approach can help when navigating turbulent times as a business owner.

Many of us think of our businesses as machines. We expect them to follow a linear path from A to B to C. When progress stalls, we add more – more time, more resources, more software, more marketing – assuming more input will create more output. This way of thinking, rooted in the industrial revolution, has shaped how we understand and do business.

But what happens when, despite your best efforts, results don’t come? When long hours lead to stagnation or decline?

It may be time to pause and ask: Is there another way to understand change?

The Two Loops model, developed by Margaret Wheatley and Deborah Frieze of The Berkana Institute, is based on the idea that human systems – businesses, industries, ways of working – behave like living systems. They grow, peak, and eventually decline.

Unlike machines, living systems are not linear. As one system declines, another begins to emerge. As one way of working reaches its limits, new possibilities open elsewhere.

If you’re not seeing the results you want, it might be time to stop and ask questions like: Am I holding on to a mindset or practice that no longer serves me?; What else is happening in my field?; Are there new ways of thinking or new markets I could explore?; What can I learn from innovation outside the mainstream?; Are there tools or approaches that could save time or energy?; Where else might my expertise fit?

To bring this to life, here’s Rachel of Mix Coworking’s story.

Rachel of Mix Coworking in Clonakilty came to me feeling that, although things were progressing well, she was in the dark about managing seasonality spikes. Pleasing the customers, creating bespoke offers to fit every need, did not result in the level of commitment and monthly recurring revenue she hoped for. Instead, she was stretched and unsure which products were working. Rachel was wondering: “if I’m offering so much, why isn’t there more commitment?”

With my help, Rachel followed the steps, using the Two Loops Model as our guide, 

Stop: Rachel stopped and reflected. While the business was progressing well overall, seasonality spikes meant financial instability, managing many offers left her confused and tracking what works was difficult. 

Look back: Mapping her business onto the Two Loops Model, she considered what old beliefs and mindsets were guiding her. Like many business owners, she was focused on meeting every client’s need – giving more in the hope of stability. Rachel realised that she was paying a high price for trying to offer everything to everyone. She was ready for a change. 

Ask: where am I hoping to get to? To answer this, Rachel reconnected with why she first created Mix Coworking: “I wanted to create a place that helps people create and do their best work, build meaningful connections, and support their well-being”. Rachel also wanted to be more intentional with her own capacity and balance.

Look around: Together, we explored alternative operational approaches taking inspiration from the different places on the Two Loops Map. We found examples of businesses moving from a ‘buffet’ of options to a more focused offering – shifting from “what do you want?” to “what do you choose?” We also looked beyond business, exploring community-based practices that foster deeper connection and commitment.

Find your own path forward: Equipped with fresh clarity, Rachel engaged Mix’s Regulars, and guided by their input, she created three simple subscription plans that offered great value and prioritised her customers’ core needs. Rachel moved the sign-up process from email to the website, inviting her clients to show their commitment through a self-managed, direct debit subscription. 

Stay tuned: For Rachel, results came quickly. Her core members were happy to commit, and the Mix community feels energised. The self-managed subscription model led to more stability, predictability, and less admin. Rachel now feels more able to track what is working and better equipped to navigate the unknowns of business life.

This is the kind of work I do with clients – stepping back, making sense of what’s happening, and finding a way forward that fits both your business and your life. If that sounds useful, you’re welcome to book a free discovery call. In the coming months, I will also be running a leadership workshop, applying the Two Loops Model to your business. Email me to book your discovery call or to register your interest in the workshop Naomi@thinkvisual.ie. 

And if you’re curious about Mix Coworking, why not drop by next time you’re in Clonakilty or visit their website www.mixcoworking.ie. 

In February, I spoke at an event about this very stage in life, the sandwich generation. It is the period where you are supporting both the generation above you and the one below you at the same time. Afterwards, a few weeks later, a couple came to see me. Both in their forties. Two children in school. Both working hard. Parents beginning to need more support. They were not panicked. They were simply tired of carrying everything in their heads.

They described it as feeling responsible in two directions at once. Paying for school activities while helping organise medical appointments. Trying to build their own pension while quietly wondering what long-term care might look like for their parents. They had never paused to look at their full financial picture, and that pause is often what makes all the difference.

We are living longer. Many of us are having children later. Mortgages stretch further into our fifties and sixties. That overlap creates pressure, not dramatic pressure, but steady pressure.

And the financial questions begin to surface: Do your parents have a will? Do you know what an Enduring Power of Attorney is? If something happened to you, would your income be replaced? Are you building a pension that means your children will not have to support you later? What conversations have you avoided simply because they felt uncomfortable?

Most adults avoid these discussions. Not because they do not care, but because they feel heavy. It can feel intrusive to ask your parents about their finances. It can feel negative to talk about protection. It can feel overwhelming to review pensions when life is already busy.

But avoiding the conversation does not remove the need for it. It simply means decisions get made under pressure later.

During the question-and-answer session at the event, it became clear very quickly that many people were unsure about what supports even existed and what they were entitled to. There were questions about care options, about state supports, about what protection actually covers and what it does not. What stood out most was the relief in the room. Relief that other people were asking the same questions. Relief that it was okay not to have it all figured out.

At this stage of life, it is not about having everything perfectly organised. It is about having some structure. It is about knowing that if a bump appears in the road, you have something to fall back on. It is about having protections in place, understanding what your parents would want, and making sure your own income and future are not left exposed.

Protection is often framed as negative. I see it as an act of care. Life cover protects your family if you are not there. Income protection replaces your salary if illness or injury stops you working. Specified illness cover provides a lump sum on diagnosis of a serious condition. You hope you never need any of it, but it is far better to have it and not use it, than to need it and not have it.

The same applies to having a plan. It does not have to be perfect, and it can be amended along the way, but having something to work with will always help. Structure brings calm. Clarity reduces stress.

What I told the room in February is what I would say again now. Start with conversations. Have them with your partner so you are aligned. Have them gently with your parents while everyone is well. Even talk to your children in simple, age appropriate ways, so money is not a taboo subject in your home.

Then sit down with a financial advisor and connect the dots, because having a plan is better than having no plan. Knowing where you stand and what is in place gives you confidence, not just for today but for the years ahead.

When you are supporting both the generation above you and the one below you, the most powerful thing you can do is strengthen your own foundation first. From there, everything else feels steadier.

And perhaps the biggest comfort of all is realising that you are not alone in this stage of life. Many people are navigating the same quiet pressure. The difference is not who has it all figured out, but who is willing to start the conversation.

Halpin Wealth Management offers free consultations. Visit www.hwm.ie or email
info@hwm.ie to learn more.

After 12 years building a business supporting multinational, government, public, and private organisations to communicate and engage their stakeholders effectively – and over 30 years designing learning processes – I have now chosen to focus my energy locally with businesses in West Cork. I often find myself pulling out a blank page and drawing a simple diagram, as when my clients see their thinking process, penny-dropping moments come with ease. This is where the idea for a series of business articles came from. Over six issues, starting in March to coincide with Enterprise Week, I will introduce one visual model every month, sharing real-life examples, and offering practical questions that can be applied immediately. I encourage you to tear out the page or take a photo and return to it when needed.

The Hedgehog Concept – updated: Many local business owners have shared how they feel swamped by competing businesses and family needs. With rapid external influences such as AI, technological advancements, global instability, and communication overload, staying clear and focused is a daily challenge.

The Hedgehog Concept is Jim Collins’s model from his 2001 book ‘From Good to Great’. The hedgehog refers to the Ancient Greek poet Archilochus, who wrote “a fox knows many things, but a hedgehog knows one big thing”. Collins advises that businesses that want to survive must move away from being conspiring foxes who pursue many directions to be a razor-sharp hedgehog, finding their market niche, bringing together passion, skills, and economic power. 

However, the world of business has changed significantly in the past 25 years; in today’s reality, many businesses must juggle a few ventures to survive. The model is still beneficial if we hold complexity and focus as the yin and yang of business and life. It can help us find a dynamic focus, a compass that brings clarity and helps us make strategic decisions.

 The model is a Venn diagram with three circles: 1) Passion; 2) What we’re good at; and 3) What generates money. The overlapping centre – the hedgehog, represents our life and business compass.

The following are two examples that illustrate how this model can be used:

Example 1 – applying the model with your team: A few years ago, at our annual ‘Rethink Think Visual’ offsite, we drew the three circles on a large whiteboard. First, focusing on Passion and Good At, we pulled out clients testimonials, shared stories, and mapped our individual and collective perspectives. Second, we added the Money generated from each client to the diagram. 

The clients’ names spread over the diagram. The process revealed the clients who sat in the centre – clients that were aligned to our values, who paid well for work we loved and were excellent at. Those clients became our compass.

The clarity didn’t lead to dramatic change overnight. It showed up in small decisions: which projects we declined, how we rewrote our website messaging, and where we focused our energy. Over time, those small shifts strengthened both our confidence and our income.

Example 2: Making your personal story make sense: I’ve recently used this model with a client who, like many creative entrepreneurs, found herself juggling not one but four ventures. Instead of asking what to drop, we used the model to reframe her story, asking similar questions adjusted to an early business stage.

Passion: What are you truly passionate about? What can’t and won’t you stop doing?

Good at: Where have mentors, friends, or clients named your brilliance? What feels effortless to you but difficult to others?

Money: Which work generates money? Which doesn’t? Which clients value and respect your work? Which part of your work has higher potential to make money?

The outcome wasn’t a drastic cut. It was a clear sentence – a way of describing her core direction. It helped her shift her story from a woman standing at foggy crossroads into a heroine carrying her many gifts in her rucksack, her north star guiding her forward.

Adding a fourth circle

Inspired by the Japanese concept of Ikigai, you can choose to expand the reflection and include a fourth circle: 4) What the world needs.

This fourth circle allows us to connect to the bigger picture, asking questions like: What change do you care about? What values guide your work? What do you believe is needed right now?

Applying the Hedgehog Concept to your business

Scan the QR code to download a printable version or draw three (or four as shown) overlapping circles on a sheet of paper. Use the questions above. Write freely. Add client names, offers, and projects. Notice patterns and tensions. 

Use this model to navigate your life and business toward the centre of the circles, but remember the goal is not about getting there. It’s a dynamic map. Passion shifts. Markets change. Life evolves. The model is not a destination; it’s a compass. Reaching the centre can take years. 

If you feel overwhelmed, unsure where to focus, or unclear about how to communicate what you really offer, this exercise can help you reconnect to your core.

Do you have a business challenge that you wish had a simple visual diagram you could apply? Have a comment, question, or thought? I’d be happy to hear from you.

Naomi Fein is based in Clonakilty and works one-to-one with business owners, as well as hosting ‘Her Circle’ coaching groups for women in business across West Cork.
naomi@thinkvisual.ie.

We know your name. We know your coffee order. We know you’re wearing a new pair of glasses. We know you’re expecting your first child or that you’re struggling with your teenager. We know you’re excited about your upcoming vacation, you’re working your arse off building your own home, you’re dealing with health issues. We know you’re struggling with your new job. That you’re allergic to dairy, you’re visiting your daughter overseas. We know you’re fed up. We know you’re sneaking in for a quiet coffee before school pickups. We know you’re after burying a loved one. We know. And we care. Now imagine your ‘local’ being replaced with a chain such as Starbucks when all they see is stars in their eyes as they make big bucks. 

Forbes and I opened our doors March 2020, excited to become a part of the Clonakilty community. There is an indescribable warmth in West Cork which we have felt from the get-go. The support has been constant and steadfast. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for the Government. While efforts of support were made during Covid, the current situation is daunting, to say the least. The VAT rate for the hospitality industry has been returned to 13.5 per cent which has become crippling to small businesses such as our own. One might understand the VAT rate being increased to 13.5 per cent, however the Government has failed to consider the fact that all costs have been increased in recent times: Wages, PRSI, electricity, rates, insurance and a considerable nationwide inflation.

While having a heart-to-heart with another local business owner, we collectively agreed that the increase in VAT was breaking us. We came to the conclusion that action needed to be taken. Voices needed to be heard. Government needed to be reached. A small WhatsApp group chat was created and with that; the movement began. Liam from Wazzy Woo, Ryan and Anne Marie from Pike Deli, Peter and Elaine from The Fishbasket, Gavin from Monk’s Lane, Jamie from Budd’s, Vic and Deborah from Camus Farm Field Kitchen and Revel joined arms. Standing alone would mean we all fall. Pulling together means there is hope, albeit sometimes it feels like only a sliver. While countless politicians have publicly stated their support, it would seem that our future lies within the hands of Michael McGrath, Minister of Finance. Supposedly, returning the VAT to nine per cent is a “big job”, but tell me, what would the Irish economy look like without all the small businesses? While we might be ‘small’, collectively we create a large impact. If we were all to fall, would the local economy fall with it? There’s a domino effect that would see the market tumble. 

Aside from the negative impact all these closures will have on the economy, can we take a moment to consider the effect it will have on the community? Where is the last place you met your friend for a catch up, to share how your life has been lately. Was it at a coffee shop? What about the people that ordinarily wouldn’t meet someone from one end of the day to the other? For some, popping down town is their only social interaction. Loneliness can be crippling and a breaking point for mental health. Other than the economic support small businesses offer, we also provide great support to the local community. Forbes and I have always said we want everyone who walks through our doors to feel welcomed and appreciated. All our customers bring something to the table and we love each and every one of them for it. We all lift each other up. Now let’s see that same level of support from our very own Government. 

All qualifying entrants to the Cork Company of the Year Awards progress through a thorough judging process which is managed by an experienced panel of business leaders.

Founded in 2003 by childhood friends from Union Hall, John O’Connell, Denis McCarthy, and Ger McCarthy, West Cork Distillers embarked on a mission to craft premium Irish whiskey that honoured tradition while embracing innovation. Over the years, their dedication to producing exceptional spirits has propelled the company to the forefront of the global whiskey market.  The distillery is now in the completion stages of a significant expansion which will enable production capacity to increase by 400 per cent during 2024 and brings additional employment to the area.

West Cork Distillers currently employs a team of around 150 employees, a jump from 80 employees working at the company during the pandemic.

The business also has built a significant international business and in 2024 has grown its commercial team across key markets such as North America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa and the Asia Pacific region.

Beyond its commitment to quality, innovation and growth, West Cork Distillers has remained deeply rooted in its local community, embodying the spirit of Cork through its support of local initiatives and sustainability efforts.

Receiving the Large Cork Company of the Year award is a testament to West Cork Distillers’ unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and community.

In accepting this prestigious accolade, John O’Connell, Co-Founder of West Cork Distillers, expressed gratitude for the support of the Cork Chamber and the local community, emphasising the company’s commitment to continued growth and excellence.

The seed: Germination of your business idea

Every business starts as a simple concept — an idea that germinates in the fertile soil of your imagination. It might come to you in a moment of inspiration or evolve slowly over time as you identify a need or follow your passion. Just like any seed, it requires the right conditions, care, and nourishment to grow into a sustainable business. Entrepreneurs are discovering that the journey includes cultivating not only their business but also themselves.

Strengthening the soil:
Personal growth

First, I suggest you explore your identity as an entrepreneur. What makes you tick? What drives you? Understanding yourself and identifying your strengths and stretches are fundamental to nurturing your business idea. Just as a plant requires a strong root system, your business needs a solid foundation rooted in your values, beliefs, identity and commercial potential and viability.

Why are you the right person for this business? Why do you do what you do? Your why is about the impact you want to have and the ripple effect of that impact.

When we look at this first it can appear quite surface level. When you peel it back it has much more depth. It is about looking under the layers. Your why isn’t just about money, it’s deeper. What is it that motivates you? What fuels and inspires you.

Planting the seed:
Turning ideas into action

Once you have your business idea, it’s time to plant the seed. This involves taking concrete steps to turn your concept into reality. Research is your first tool in this process. Understand your market, your potential competitors, and the needs of your target audience. At this stage I’d recommend signing up for a Start Your Own Business programme with the Local Enterprise Office or booking one of their advice clinic sessions. 

• Creating a business plan is like crafting a blueprint for your seed’s growth. It outlines your goals, strategies, financial viability and market. A well-structured business plan  serves as your roadmap, in truth many entrepreneurs unless seeking investment shy away from committing to this process. At the very least, I highly recommend you commit to fleshing out your management (you), market and money plans on paper, it does not have to be formal at this stage. 

• Vision development is the cornerstone of strategic planning. Where do you see your business in the future? What is the change you want to bring about in your industry or community? Crafting an outline of your vision is like charting a course for your entrepreneurial journey and gives you direction.

• Business values are the compass that guides your decisions and actions. They form the core of your brand’s identity and are an essential part of your business DNA. 

• Consider your brand as a living entity, with a personality, voice, and values. When these elements align, the impact is profound. Developing your voice pillars allows you to communicate effectively with your target audience, creating resonance and connection.

• Financial planning is also critical. Ensure your business has a solid financial foundation with a budget, cash flow management, and a strategy for raising capital if needed. It helps you identify and explore the commercial reality of your business idea.

Nourishing the seed: Passion and
perseverance

Much like a plant needs water, sunlight, and nutrients to grow, your business idea requires nourishment in the form of passion and perseverance. This is where many female  entrepreneurs shine. Your passion for your idea will sustain you through the inevitable challenges and setbacks.

Just as a plant adapts to changing conditions, your business idea must evolve to meet the demands of a dynamic market. Sole entrepreneurs are usually more agile and able to adapt and innovate which is crucial for long-term success. Pay attention to customer feedback and market trends, and be willing to make adjustments to your products or services accordingly.

Entrepreneurship is a journey that tests your resolve. Your doubts, and limiting beliefs can be formidable obstacles. Embracing them, instead of shying away, is key to creating lasting change. Leadership isn’t just about managing a team; it’s about leading yourself effectively. You wouldn’t treat a dear friend with anything less than respect, strong boundaries, encouragement, compassion, and love, would you? Apply the same principles to yourself as your own boss. Learning how to become your own best boss is part of business growth.. 

The journey ahead: Embrace the seasons

Just like the changing seasons, your entrepreneurial journey will have its ebbs and flows. There may be times of rapid growth and seasons of introspection. Embrace them all. Entrepreneurship is not merely a means to an end but a journey of self-discovery, growth, and making a positive impact on the world.

Surrounding yourself with a supportive network is also essential. Seek out mentors, advisors, and fellow entrepreneurs who can provide guidance, share their experiences, and offer emotional support. The Local Enterprise Office is a wonderful resource for this support, through providing mentors, training courses and inspiring networking events such as NWED. 

Nurturing your business idea is not a solitary endeavour. West Cork is blessed with a supportive business community and local resources. Networking events, like those organised by Network Ireland West Cork also provide platforms to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs. The road to success can be lonely at times, but a strong support system can provide the encouragement you need to keep nurturing your business.

Remember, your journey as a woman in enterprise not only enriches your life but also inspires others to plant their own seeds of success. Cultivate your idea, watch it grow, and let it be a beacon of hope and innovation in your community and beyond.

Jackie Gowran is a business coach who specialises in blending traditional business training with a holistic person centred approach. With over 35 years of business experience she helps you weave the heart and soul into your business.
www.businessweaving.com