Paddy Smyth explains why a disability shouldn't get in the way of your dreams

In this episode we celebrate 40 episodes and 1 years since Solo Powered launched. Thank you so much to everyone who has listened or has been a guest. To celebrate we are offering one lucky listener the chance to win a Solo Spa Day in the fabulous Powerscourt Springs in Co. Wicklow. To win message me or comment, share about Solo Powered on your social channels. We also talk to American listener Dr Vivian Vo. A multi-passionate Life Coach, Doctor, and Yoga Teacher, who has witnessed and experienced first hand the unique challenges folks of the global majority face. She is a coach who is passionate about helping AAPI folks. "We juggle societal expectations, internalized pressures, the strong need to help our communities, and the constant feeling of needing to prove ourselves." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susie is a business growth coach. She has been around the block what feels like a million times before getting to the stage that she's at now. She has worked in sales, the event industry, marketing, graphic and web design. She started her own cosmetics company at 21 and has started multiple businesses since then. Not understanding the importance of her "Why" and her Purpose led her on paths that were not fulfilling her goals. It was only when she started looking at the "Ikigai" method of understanding your purpose that Susan realised what her passion and purpose really was - she absolutely thrives when she is helping women startup and grow their own businesses and so The Visionary Room was born. Her zones of genius lie in sales and the "new norms" for selling online, branding, design, growth strategies, e-commerce, spotting opportunities for new revenue streams, product creation, sourcing products, social media, online course creation and creating content that sells. Susie shares her Solopreneur journey running Seven Companies while also being a Solo Mom. This is an inspiring episode showing how you can overcome adversity, strive forward, learn from mistakes and stay true to your authentic creative self. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate St Patricks Day I am thrilled to welcome Lorraine O’Dwyer an 8th generation Bean Feasa (Translation: Wise Woman) or Witch for want of a better word onto the Solo Powered Podcast. Based in the southeast of Ireland, and famed for her unique storytelling walks and workshops that draw us back into the past, to a world almost lost today. From tree and herblore to kitchen craft skills and foraged foods with more than a little magic along the way! In this episode she talks about what trees to hug and when, Brehon law, Irish Folklore, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Fierce Irish Warriors. With her company Gallivanting.ie Lorraine takes people on mystical ancient woodland walks imparting her vast knowledge and legendary storytelling. She also talks about growing up in 80's Catholic Ireland as a self proclaimed pagan. This is a fascinating episode full of information and entertaining stories.

Streat School, an Irish food truck provider and marketing agency, has turned over more than millions of euro and has helped over 300 new outlets to get up and running. The company was founded by Seany McCleary, the owner of Blasta Street Kitchen, a month before the pandemic started. It has gone from strength to strength since and in June 2022 claimed the One to Watch prize at the National Enterprise Awards.

On this episode Ariana chats to Mary-Kate Murphy about the searing pain of pet grief. Mary-Kate is a teacher and a solo'prenuer as owner of her own dance school as well as running a successful pet-sitting business called 'Teach Tubs'. The business is named after her beloved miniature schnauzer Tubs who sadly passed away last year at the age of 11. Tubs was Mary-Kate's companion throughout painful breakups and has lived with Mary-Kate solo for most of his life. Losing him was extremley sorrowful and we explore that often underrepresented or much maligned grief of losing a pet on this episode. Mary-Kate is also a fan of the podcast and since tuning in has embarked on two Solo travel trips to Iceland and Belgium which she tells us all about.