Limerick born Aoife Mc Namara is founder of her eponymous sustainable, Irish made fashion label, Aoife Ireland. After attending a fashion show in her teens, Aoife was bitten by the fashion bug. While her friends went travelling Aoife upped sticks and moved alone to New York to intern with Marc Jacobs and then to Paris. After 6 months of multiple jo…

Dublin born Roisin Lafferty is CEO of award winning studio, Kingston Lafferty Design. Roisin has become a creative force in interior architecture and design. Her distinctive, innovative and inspiring creations have appeared in Elle Decor and Wallpaper Magazine. She has been recognised by multiple international design awards and is the 2020 presiden…

Due to Covid 19 we are not able to bring you new episodes of The Hero Podcast at the moment. Recording virtually brought some challenges and as the premise of The Hero Podcast is sitting down with someone and chatting to them in person I decided to take a few weeks off until I can do that again safely. For now, I am resharing some of the early epis…

Due to Covid 19 we are not able to bring you new episodes of The Hero Podcast at the moment. Recording virtually brought some challenges and as the premise of The Hero Podcast is sitting down with someone and chatting to them in person I decided to take a few weeks off until I can do that again safely. For now, I am resharing some of the early epis…

This week following the death of George Floyd and the global outcry against systematic racism. It is not just a US problem but a global problem. I am working to educate myself to be actively anti-racist and to help dismantle systematic racism. It is important to keep this conversation going and to use our platforms to elevate black voices and to su…

Unfortunately due to Covid 19 we are not able to bring you new episodes of The Hero Podcast at the moment. Recording virtually brought some challenges and as the premise of The Hero Podcast is sitting down with someone and chatting to them in person I decided to take a few weeks off until I can do that again safely. For now, I am resharing some of …

Shane Finn is an endurance athlete, personal trainer, podcaster, coach and speaker. In 2017 he ran 24 marathons in 24 days, followed by running and cycling 5,000 km across America in 5 weeks in 2018. To date, he has raised over €250,000 for spina bifida inspired by his best friend and cousin, Mary. Shane has turned his passion for endurance into a …

Brazilian born Pat Kane studied Economics and Finance in Rio De Janeiro. She worked across Latin America and the Caribbean for tech multinationals where she met her Irish husband while at Digicel. They now live in Dublin with their 2 boys. After having her first child she saw the amount of waste created by a family household and began to investigat…

When a mutual friend connected illustrator Jill Deering to printmaker Gill Henderson in 2016 they realised their combined talents could create something really special. That initial collaboration evolved into Jill & Gill, a multidisciplinary design studio. Their limited edition collections of fine art, fashion, textiles and design sell out in recor…

In light of the Corona Virus Pandemic I decided to share how I am keeping positive in Covid 19. My structured routine is helping me to feel in control and comfortable at this very uncertain time. I share my dad, Michael Hoyne's top 5 tips for businesses dealing with the serious business challenges they now face. I hope I can inspire coping skills t…

Emma Hogan Eyre is the owner of award winning, top Irish skin clinic, Eyrebrushed Skin and Beauty Clinic. She excelled in music from a young age and became a music teacher in her early 20's. She loved to teach but not the constraints and challenges of working in schools. Always driven by her passions she turned to makeup artistry and caught the bus…

Emma Farrell is a pioneer of Irish Makeup Artistry. The EF Creative Studios founder tells her story of cycling to jobs with her makeup kit on her back (because she couldn't afford a car) to winning the UK & Ireland leg of a global competition to be Creative Director for L'Oréal. She has painted the faces of The Corr's and Eva Longoria, walked the r…

Aisling Keenan is a Freelance Journalist, Content Creator and Creative Director from Dublin. Her creative eye can be seen right across Irish media from contributing to your favourite magazines and radio shows to the stunning Brown Thomas beauty imagery and on her podcast, Private Education. We talk about losing her dream job, the freelance hustle, …

Dublin born Hannah Saunders is founder of her eponymous agency, Hannah Saunders PR. She cut her teeth in Dublin and New York before starting her London based agency in 2016. In under 4 years she has built a fashion, beauty and lifestyle PR business to rival any long established agency. She has worked with clients like Easilocks, Spotlight Oral Care…

Dublin born Stephanie O’Quigley started her blog, which is now called StephanieOQuigley.com, while at college. A chance seating arrangement at a Cocoa Brown event led to an internship and then the role of Marketing Manager at the Irish business phenomenon. As Marissa Carters right hand woman, Stephanie learnt on her feet as the business grew to sel…

Fleur Emery is a start-up expert with 15 years’ experience both launching her own product ranges into major retailers and using her success to help other founders achieve. Her client roster includes Pip & Nut, Miso Tasty and Rosa Bloom. She recently spent three years setting up a premium ready meal business and with a product range ready to go, fun…

Fashion Designer, Emma Manley is the founder of her own eponymous label, Manley and Co-Creator of Bloss, a luxury Irish Designer Pop Up. Coming from an entrepreneurial family with a fashion designer mum, Emma always knew she wanted to be a fashion designer and nothing was going to get in her way. She interned in New York and in London with Alexande…

Maryrose Simpson is the ultimate slashie - Entrepreneur, founder of My Lady Bug, Irelands first period subscription box, Shopify Guru, Graphic Designer and Feminist Advocate. Side Note - She even vent viral on TikTok this summer (the girl who found the guys sunglasses lens at Electric Picnic!!) Maryrose and I met during the incredible Acorns progra…

#30 Emma Kelly - Elevate PREmma Kelly is one of Ireland's PR powerhouses She founded her Dublin based PR and Creative Agency, Elevate in 2001. Clients include Charlotte Tilbury, Kildare Village, Universal and Lily O Briens. We chat the reality of PR, Influencer marketing and how trying to predict the future is a thing of the past. https://www.linke…

Nadine Reid is a celebrity make up artist turned TV, Social Media and Cover Star. Born in Birmingham, with Jamaican roots she now lives in Dublin sharing a home with 94 year old Minnie. I met Nadine in Preen in December 2017. She did my makeup the morning of my TedxTalk when I was so nervous and apprehensive. She let me practice my speech, putting …

Jo Browne is founder of her eponymous brand, Jo Browne. She always loved solid perfumes and when in 2013 she could no longer find any she decided to make her own. In 2016 she launched her business from her hometown of Hacketstown in Carlow. Since then, the brand has become a multi-award winning success story. Jo tells her story of building her busi…

#26 Grace O'Mahony - ModelKilkenny gal Grace O'Mahony is one of Irelands top model. A total sweetheart, she is a million miles from the stereotypical model. Case and point, she still works in the family petrol station often selling magazines with her face on the cover. Having suffered with scoliosis in her teens she owns her looks and has worked ha…

Niamh Hogan is the owner of multi-award winning, Irish made, natural skincare brand, Holos. A serial entrepreneur, having been a holistic therapist for 15 years, her clients wanted to buy the blended oils she used in her therapy and Holos was born. Niamh has an unshakable belief in her products, proven by winning the coveted "Most Innovative Irish …

Courtney Smith is a Fashion Stylist, Creative Director & Designer. Her online feeds are filled with dreamy outfits, exotic locations and glamourous photoshoots. She is "living the dream" but if you look closely you'll see that Courtney's life is hard work, long hours and being the biggest risk taker in the room. In this episode we talk the business…

Jackie Tyrrell is a Kilkenny All Star Hurling Superstar. Hurling is an amateur Irish sport played at a professional level. Kilkenny, (specifically the years that Jackie played) has been the most successful team in the history of the sport. He is one of the most hard working people I've ever met, a complete perfectionist, he gives 100% to whatever h…

Geraldine has taken her passion for skin and turned it into a thriving business Mediskin in Nenagh, Tipperary. Her commitment to expertise and quality has seen incredible success, with the business winning multiple coveted industry and business awards. Not content with an award winning clinic, she has just launched her own cosmeceutical products an…

Heidi Higgins always wanted to be a fashion designer. Some might say you must be in the fashion capitals of the world to have a thriving fashion label but Heidi has done it her way. She runs her premium fashion label, by her own rules, from her hometown of Portlaoise. From humble beginnings she stuck to her vision of creating high quality, limited …

Jennie McGinn is some woman for one woman. An OG Blogger, Tech Entrepreneur of Prowlster & Opsh, University Lecturer, Brand Specialist, Agency Owner and all round Digital Expert. Jennie was at the forefront of the very new and very unknown world of digital and tech. She has a wealth of experience and wisdom that came from taking risks and experimen…

Niamh Martin finished school at 16, throwing herself into the working world, keen to make money and find her niche. She discovered a passion for makeup and business. Niamh has done her time on counter in the beauty halls of Selfridges & Harrods, been a teacher, a sales rep and everything in between. She tells her story of how she combined her passi…

Claudia Gocoul graduated from DCU with a BA in Journalism in 2014. 2 years later she was fashion editor at Xposé Magazine. Now at 25, she is the Managing Director at Carter Beauty Cosmetics. We chat about how she has come so far in such a short period of time, how hard work, self belief and having to do it all at a fashion magazine gave her transfe…

Laura Cunningham has done it all and she's only getting started. Popstar, Blogger, Award Winning Editor, Tech Entrepreneur, Author, Activist & Social Media Star. She is a seriously talented and accomplished lady. She talks through her career, life and taking a step back to get what she really wants. Instagram & Twitter: @cunninghamlaura Linkedin: h…

Joanne Condon is a creative force to be reckoned with. She studied Art in Crawford, Cork, intent on being an art teacher but soon found the structure of teaching capped her creativity. Flash forward to 2019, Joanne hosts sell out furniture painting workshops all over Ireland, she is RTE's Today Show upcycle and DIY expert, the DIY columnist for Con…

This week I’m chatting about travelling solo how I find it, why I do it, what it’s like, the pro’s & con’s of it and why you should give it a go! Don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Follow us on:Instagram @theheropodcastTwitter @theheropodcast_Contact Nicki @nickihoyne on Instagram or Twitter…

Ever heard of Grainne O Malley, the Pirate Queen of Ireland? In the 1500’s she sailed from Ireland up the Thames to meet Queen Elizabeth 1 at Greenwich Palace to persuade her to stop the English from encroaching on Irish nobles. They struck a deal and became firm pen pals. A story that should have held a place in Irish history, instead was deleted …

Cork native Stephanie Barry completed a degree is BIS in University College Cork and at 23 she moved to London to work in investment banking where she met her now husband, Tim. Steph caught Tim’s travel bug and love of Asia. Every trip away they imagined packing their bags and taking off around the world. About to get married and headed towards put…

From discovering her love of "the sesh" to 10 years in PR at Thinkhouse to founder & Madam of Tropical Popical, Andrea Horan has some serious human insight. Saoirse Ronan's mention of Tropical Popical on the Ellen Show launched it into the stratosphere and Andrea was constantly asked when Tropical Popical would do "more". Andrea realised that succe…

Louise Stokes dreamed of working in fashion. After graduating from Trinity College Dublin she interned with Louise Kennedy before moving to NYC where she found herself working with cutting edge jewellery designers like Alexis Bittar. In the fast paced New York jewellery industry, she calls Game Of Thrones for interns, Louise was exposed to the best…

I sat down with Rugile Mikutovskiene, CEO & Founder Of Ella Iconic known for its stunning CEO Of My Own Life Planner. We chat about her journey so far from City Of London corporate banking to Stationery Start-Up. How passion, perfectionism and never underselling herself has led her to create one of the stationery worlds hottest new brands. Instagra…

My childhood friend, Julie Cobbe, creator of Stylefish.ie, tells her story of how a love of fashion and teaching has taken her on a personal journey that has evolved as she has through her 20’s and 30’s from fashion masterclasses in a recession to Dragon’s Den to realising that sometimes success is letting go, making your own rules and that finding…

At 24, Leah Haines has a stellar career in luxury fashion. From Erdem to Simone Rocha, ASOS and now at Net A Porter she knows the inner workings of the fashion industry from packing boxes to presenting a collection to top fashion buyers. From Birr in Offaly she studied Fashion Design at Limerick School Of Art & Design. At 20 and in her 3rd year she…

If you don’t know who Niamh O’Donoghue is you need to stop and pay attention. I’ve watched from afar as she has experimented, innovated and worked her ass off to get where she is today. Currently the Digital Leader at Image Publications, she’s been part of its metamorphosis from fashion magazine to media powerhouse and she’s only getting started. B…

Jane Asple always wanted to work in fashion retail and set her sights on her dream job as a fashion buyer. Travelling the world as a London based buyer for Primark she was living her dream. The funny thing about achieving your dreams is they are then stepping stones to bigger dreams. She gave up the dream job to chase a wilder dream of having her o…

Lorna Ruane is my favourite high achiever. The oldest girl in a family of 10, in her teens she worked as the clerk in her fathers bookies training her brain to work like a computer. We met on Snapchat and have become real life mates who spend hours chatting about anything and everything whenever I’m in NYC. Listen in on one of our mega chats where …

One of the most common questions I get asked is, I have an idea but how do I start a business? This episode is a quick chat through my tips on how to take that leap and begin. From to do lists to business plans, networking and the 3 things I wish I knew then that I know now. Let me know what you think, what you got from it or if you have any questi…

In this episode I’m joined by Michaela O’ Shaughnessy, the Galway Gal taking New York by storm. She arrived in New York after college, landing not one but two dream jobs working at MTV and now as the Social Media Manager at Teen Vogue. She invited me to One World Trade Center to chat, Anna Wintour, Kylie Jenner, The Met Ball and what it's really li…

Horray for Episode 1 Of The Hero Podcast. To kick off let’s start with Who am I (Nicki Hoyne)? Why have I started podcasting? and who’s the Hero? I’d love to hear your feedback and questions so DM us on Instagram @theheropodcast or see what I’m up to @nickihoyne. My Tedxtalk: https://youtu.be/I-ah09HPIHo…