Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster

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Oct 2026

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Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster un-filters success giving you the knowledge you need to live your dream life. SJ cuts through the bullshit with every guest and topic, asking the questions you want the answers to.Sarah Jane Interviews those in the entertainment industry who are successful, how they intend to stay there, how they overcome challenges and the advice they would give having overcame them. New Episode every Wednesday.Want more? Join the Unfiltered Detectives @unfilteredwithsjf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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October 21, 2026Episode 1132 min

How To Spot a Champion Racehorse | Robson Aguiar

EPISODE SUMMARY Can you really spot a champion racehorse before anyone else does? Robson Aguiar joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to reveal what it takes to identify, buy and develop a potential champion racehorse, and why even the most expensive horses don't always deliver. From working with horses at just five years old on a farm in Brazil to Group 1 success in Ireland, Robson has built his career around understanding horses and recognising their potential. In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of the bloodstock industry, revealing why the fastest horse isn't necessarily the best, what he looks for at the sales, the financial risks involved and the expensive mistakes he's made along the way. He also opens up about arriving in Ireland without speaking English, competing at the highest level and his ambition to take on the world's biggest racing stages. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN How to identify a potential champion racehorse Why Robson looks at a horse before checking its pedigree Why breeze-up speed doesn't always predict racing success What makes a racehorse worth serious money The business of buying, training and selling horses The costly mistakes behind bloodstock investments How Robson built his career from Brazil to Ireland What separates natural ability from a truly exceptional racehorse His ambitions for the future of international racing TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Meet Robson Aguiar 00:19 Growing Up in Brazil 01:44 Moving to Ireland Without Speaking English 02:42 The Passion Behind His Success 03:54 Developing Group 1-Winning Racehorses 06:06 How to Spot a Good Racehorse 07:02 Why Speed Doesn't Guarantee Success 08:53 What Makes a Horse Worth Serious Money? 09:42 Finding Value at Horse Sales 11:22 The Changing Bloodstock Market 13:22 The Rise of Breeze-Up Sales 14:49 Becoming a Racehorse Trainer 18:48 Handling Pressure in Racing 19:50 The Business of Horse Racing 21:43 Expensive Mistakes and Business Lessons 23:31 What Makes a Champion Racehorse? 24:08 The Horse He'll Never Forget 25:24 International Racing Ambitions 26:26 Quickfire Questions ABOUT ROBSON AGUIAR Robson Aguiar is a Brazilian-born horseman and racehorse trainer based in Ireland. Having worked with horses since childhood, he moved from Brazil to Ireland and established a career in the bloodstock industry, becoming involved in the preparation and development of multiple Group 1-winning horses. His work spans racehorse selection, breeze-up sales and training, with ambitions to compete at the highest level internationally. WATCH & EXPLORE UNFILTERED Watch the full video interview, explore previous episodes and access exclusive podcast content: https://www.sarahjanefoster.com/podcast CONNECT WITH SARAH JANE FOSTER Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjanefoster/ Website: https://www.sarahjanefoster.com JOIN THE GREEN ROOM Get behind-the-scenes access, exclusive podcast content and more from Sarah Jane Foster. https://www.sarahjanefoster.com/podcast EPISODE SPONSOR This episode of Unfiltered is proudly sponsored by Kilbeggan Races. Discover upcoming race meetings: https://kilbegganraces.com/ ABOUT UNFILTERED Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders and extraordinary people about ambition, money, success and the stories behind their achievements.

October 5, 2026Episode 101 hr 14 min

Philip Reynolds | How I Built a €500 Million Business | UNFILTERED

What does it really take to build a €500 million business, and what happens when everything you've spent decades building is suddenly destroyed? In this episode of Unfiltered, Sarah Jane Foster sits down with businessman and investor Philip Reynolds, son of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and former CEO of C&D Foods. Philip joined the family business at 18 and took over its leadership at just 25, when the company was generating approximately €10–15 million in turnover. He went on to oversee its expansion into a major European operation, with seven factories, nine international sales offices and €500 million in sales. But the journey was far from straightforward. Philip takes Sarah Jane inside the night a devastating factory fire left the business facing an uncertain future, the decisions that followed and what it takes to rebuild when everything is on the line. In a candid conversation, they explore leadership, family legacy, ambition, the loneliness of making difficult decisions and why Philip believes people can ultimately be the biggest disappointment in life. They also discuss the future of artificial intelligence, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and why, despite everything he has achieved, Philip still doesn't consider himself an entrepreneur. An Unfiltered conversation about business, resilience, people and the decisions that define a career.

May 20, 2026Episode 935 min

Paddy Dunning | How To Build What Doesn't Exist

Paddy Dunning joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to share the entrepreneurial mindset behind some of Ireland's most iconic creative and entertainment businesses. From bringing Michael Jackson to Westmeath and building Grouse Lodge Recording Studios to creating The Button Factory, The National Wax Museum, The Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience and now the world's largest moving statue, Paddy shares the lessons he has learned from a lifetime of creativity, risk-taking and innovation. He opens up about entrepreneurship, reinvesting profits, spotting opportunities others miss, the future of music, the impact of AI, and why some of the best businesses are built by solving problems nobody else sees. Whether you're a founder, creator, entrepreneur or someone with a big idea, this episode is packed with practical lessons on vision, perseverance and building things that matter. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN • How to spot opportunities others overlook • Why the best businesses solve missing problems • The importance of reinvesting in your vision • How Paddy built multiple iconic Irish businesses • What Michael Jackson was really like in Westmeath • Why musicians need new revenue streams • The future of AI and creativity • How to think bigger when building a business • Why legacy matters more than success • The mindset behind building the world's largest moving statue TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Michael Jackson In Westmeath 04:09 Inside Grouse Lodge Studios 06:01 How Musicians Actually Make Money 10:40 The Best Advice Paddy Ever Received About Money 13:18 Building Ireland's First Sound Training College 15:42 The Story Behind The National Wax Museum 18:00 Lessons From Tourism & Business 18:45 Why He Built The Button Factory 19:46 Creating The Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum 22:49 The Giant Project Explained 25:35 Building The World's Largest Moving Statue 27:40 How The Giant Will Transform Cities 29:31 The Future Of Music & Technology 30:14 Why Creators Should Embrace AI 31:32 Legacy, Giving Back & Impact 32:56 How Paddy Switches Off 33:44 Final Thoughts FOLLOW UNFILTERED Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredwithsjf/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredwithsjf TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredwithsjf FOLLOW SARAH JANE FOSTER Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahjane_foster YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sarahjanefoster TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjane_foster Website https://sarahjanefoster.com JOIN THE GREEN ROOM https://www.sarahjanefoster.com/vault Get exclusive founder insights, business lessons, content strategies, podcast takeaways and behind-the-scenes access from Sarah Jane Foster. SPONSOR This episode was sponsored by Apache Pizza Mullingar. https://www.apache.ie/promotions

April 17, 2024Episode 81 hr 10 min

Dáithí Ó Sé | How To Stop Caring What People Think

Dáithí Ó Sé joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to share the lessons he learned from over 25 years in television, broadcasting and life. From being asked to leave school twice to becoming one of Ireland's most loved television presenters, Dáithí reflects on the opportunities, risks and mindset shifts that shaped his remarkable career. He opens up about taking chances when opportunities appeared, why he stopped caring what other people think, the reality of fame, fatherhood, the Rose of Tralee, social media, confidence and the importance of living without regret. Whether you're building a business, pursuing a dream or navigating criticism, this episode is packed with practical life lessons and perspective. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN • Why you should stop caring what other people think • The difference between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret • How Dáithí built a 25-year career in television • Why backing yourself is often the biggest risk worth taking • The importance of staying present and enjoying the moment • How fame changes your perspective • Why confidence comes from experience • The reality behind long-term success • What the Rose of Tralee really means to him • How fatherhood changed his life TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Meet Dáithí Ó Sé 00:45 How He Accidentally Started In Television 03:30 The Boat Job That Changed Everything 09:36 Leaving Security Behind For RTÉ 11:59 The Pain Of Discipline vs The Pain Of Regret 13:42 Why He Doesn't Share Everything 15:00 Prayer, Perspective & Staying Grounded 16:20 Learning To Live In The Present 18:18 The Power Of Lists 19:50 When Did He Realise He Was Famous? 22:12 Fame & Social Media 22:44 Why Success Takes Time 23:49 Stop Caring What People Think 25:25 Why People Gravitate Towards Him 27:01 The Success Of The Today Show 29:01 His Rose Of Tralee Rituals 32:35 Why The Rose Of Tralee Matters 37:16 Rachel Duffy & The Courage To Be Judged 41:37 Hair Restoration & Self Confidence 47:10 Being Comfortable In Your Own Skin 48:04 What Other People Think Is None Of My Business 50:20 His Cancer Diagnosis 54:29 Why You Should Always Get Checked 56:13 The Problem With Social Media 57:27 How He Met His Wife Rita 01:03:05 How Fatherhood Changed Him 01:04:29 Career Highlights 01:05:18 Working With Snoop Dogg & Keanu Reeves 01:07:36 Being Nominated For A Grammy 01:08:57 What He Wants To Be Remembered For 01:10:26 Outro FOLLOW UNFILTERED Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredwithsjf/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredwithsjf TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredwithsjf FOLLOW SARAH JANE FOSTER Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahjane_foster YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sarahjanefoster TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjane_foster Website https://sarahjanefoster.com JOIN THE GREEN ROOM https://www.sarahjanefoster.com/vault Get exclusive founder insights, business lessons, content strategies, podcast takeaways and behind-the-scenes access from Sarah Jane Foster. SPONSOR This episode was sponsored by Glass Online. https://glassonline.ie

April 10, 2024Episode 752 min

Nathan Carter | Why Success Never Feels Like Enough

Nathan Carter joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster for one of his most honest interviews yet, opening up about fame, ambition, relationships, success and the pressure of always wanting more. From growing up in Liverpool and moving to Ireland at just 19 years old to becoming one of the biggest names in country music, Nathan reflects on the journey that changed his life. He shares the lessons he learned from success, the realities of life in the public eye and why he still finds it difficult to switch off. Nathan also discusses grief, songwriting, business, friendship, dating, managing change and what keeps him motivated after achieving more than most people dream of. Whether you're a founder, creator, entrepreneur, musician or someone striving for the next level, this episode is packed with insights on ambition, resilience and staying grounded while building a successful career. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN • Why success never feels quite enough • How Nathan built a career from a passion for music • The realities of fame and public perception • Why ambition can be both a gift and a curse • How to navigate change in business and life • The importance of staying grounded • Lessons from moving country at 19 to chase a dream • What grief taught him about life • Why relationships matter more than success • How to keep growing after achieving your goals TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Being Confident 00:54 Misconceptions About Nathan Carter 02:44 Nathan Carter As A Child 03:43 Nathan Carter's Favourite Foster & Allen Song 06:40 Wanting To Be A Musician In School 07:41 Growing Up In Liverpool 09:47 Being Close With His Nan 10:34 What Nathan Would Do If He Wasn't A Singer 12:47 Nathan's Love Of Cars 13:54 Buying A Mercedes For His Nan 16:23 Fame & How People Change 18:50 Moving To Ireland At 19 20:31 Building A Band 21:48 Why Change Can Be Healthy 24:59 Nathan's New Management Team 26:08 Writing Songs 30:36 Writing Wings To Fly 34:13 A Day In The Life Of Nathan Carter 38:13 Dating & Relationships 39:06 Nathan's Ideal Date 40:59 Philomena Begley & The Viral Music Video 44:25 Success At A Young Age 47:42 Managing Ceol 49:45 What Keeps Nathan Up At Night 50:53 How Nathan Wants To Be Remembered 52:01 Outro FOLLOW UNFILTERED Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredwithsjf/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredwithsjf TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredwithsjf FOLLOW SARAH JANE FOSTER Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahjane_foster YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sarahjanefoster TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjane_foster Website https://sarahjanefoster.com JOIN THE GREEN ROOM https://www.sarahjanefoster.com/vault Get exclusive founder insights, business lessons, content strategies, podcast takeaways and behind-the-scenes access from Sarah Jane Foster. SPONSOR This episode was sponsored by Lakeland Interiors. https://lakelandinteriors.ie/

March 27, 2024Episode 61 hr 9 min

Foster & Allen | The Secret To Building A Lasting Career

Foster & Allen join Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to share the lessons, discipline and mindset that helped them build one of Ireland's most successful music careers over five decades. As Mick Foster's granddaughter, Sarah Jane brings a unique perspective to the conversation, exploring both the public success and private lessons behind one of Ireland's most enduring music acts. Having sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and performed across the globe, Mick Foster and Tony Allen reflect on the sacrifices, opportunities and decisions that shaped their extraordinary journey. From playing local pubs to performing on Top of the Pops and touring internationally, they share the business, marketing and life lessons that kept them relevant for over 50 years. Whether you're a founder, creator, entrepreneur, musician or someone building something for the long term, this episode is packed with insights on consistency, resilience, professionalism and building a lasting legacy. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN • Why consistency beats talent over the long term • How Foster & Allen built a global brand before social media • The importance of showing up every day • Why professionalism matters • How they marketed themselves before the internet • The discipline required to sustain success • Why they never chased trends • How to build a career that lasts decades • The importance of knowing your audience • Why passion alone isn't enough TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Meet Foster & Allen 02:22 The Beginning Of Foster & Allen 04:29 Making Music A Full-Time Career 05:22 The Marketing Strategy That Started It All 08:02 Realising Success Was Happening 11:34 Lessons From Their First Jobs 13:12 Why They've Lasted 50 Years 14:38 The Story Behind The Famous Green Suits 17:42 Performing On Top Of The Pops 22:25 Why They Never Wrote Their Own Songs 23:45 The Best Part Of Being Foster & Allen 29:14 Favourite Places To Perform Around The World 31:26 The Importance Of Promotion 35:35 Business Lessons For Success 38:39 How Music Marketing Has Changed 42:10 Their Favourite Interviewers 46:07 Behind The Scenes Of Their Music Videos 50:49 Work-Life Balance & Family 52:00 Why Consistency Matters 54:45 Knocking Take That Off Number One 57:16 Bringing A Hit Song Back To Life 58:30 Performing In Croke Park 01:03:00 Facing Fear & Learning New Skills 01:07:27 Their Most Memorable Career Moments 01:08:06 How They Want To Be Remembered FOLLOW UNFILTERED Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredwithsjf/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredwithsjf TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredwithsjf FOLLOW SARAH JANE FOSTER Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahjane_foster YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sarahjanefoster TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjane_foster Website https://sarahjanefoster.com JOIN THE GREEN ROOM https://www.sarahjanefoster.com/vault Get exclusive founder insights, business lessons, content strategies, podcast takeaways and behind-the-scenes access from Sarah Jane Foster. SPONSOR This episode was sponsored by The Westmeath Examiner. Established in 1882, The Westmeath Examiner has been a trusted news source for generations, providing coverage of political, sporting, economic and community events across County Westmeath and beyond. Visit: https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 20, 2024Episode 531 min

Maria Harte | How To Turn Your Passion Into Something Bigger

Maria Harte joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to share how she turned a lifelong passion for food into a thriving personal brand by trusting her instincts, embracing authenticity and finally backing herself. From losing her father at a young age to navigating motherhood, ADHD and a successful career in marketing, Maria opens up about resilience, self-belief and the importance of creating something that feels true to who you are. She shares how consistency, creativity and taking imperfect action helped her build an engaged audience and land a regular spot on national television. Whether you're a founder, creator, entrepreneur or someone waiting for the "perfect time" to start, this episode is packed with practical lessons on confidence, authenticity and taking the first step. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN • Why waiting for the perfect time is holding you back • How Maria built a successful personal brand from a passion project • The importance of authenticity in content creation • Why consistency matters more than perfection • How ADHD shaped her creativity and career • The power of trusting your instincts • Why you don't need to follow every trend • How to overcome imposter syndrome • The importance of asking for opportunities • How to back yourself even when you're scared TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Meet Maria Harte 02:22 When Food Became An Obsession 04:31 Losing Her Father At Seventeen 06:04 Why She Chose Marketing Over Cooking 07:45 Resilience, Confidence & Self-Belief 09:21 Starting Her Food Content Journey 10:22 Why Consistency Matters 11:44 Living With ADHD 14:07 Getting Diagnosed As An Adult 17:23 Motherhood, ADHD & Burnout 23:48 Starting Before She Felt Ready 24:35 Building An Authentic Personal Brand 25:06 Why She Doesn't Follow Trends 27:09 The Problem With Social Media Copycats 28:40 How She Landed Virgin Media 29:55 The Importance Of Asking 30:41 What's Next For Maria Harte 31:05 Her Dream Of Writing A Cookbook 31:13 Outro FOLLOW UNFILTERED Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredwithsjf/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredwithsjf TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredwithsjf FOLLOW SARAH JANE FOSTER Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahjane_foster YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sarahjanefoster TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjane_foster Website https://sarahjanefoster.com JOIN THE GREEN ROOM https://www.sarahjanefoster.com/vault Get exclusive founder insights, business lessons, content strategies, podcast takeaways and behind-the-scenes access from Sarah Jane Foster. SPONSOR This episode was sponsored by Home Instead. https://www.homeinstead.ie/

March 13, 2024Episode 443 min

Cliona Hagan | Never Let Fear Hold You Back

Cliona Hagan joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to share the story behind her rise to becoming one of Ireland's most successful country music stars. From being a painfully shy child to leaving a secure teaching career to pursue music, Cliona opens up about self-belief, sacrifice, hard work and the people who encouraged her to chase her dream. She shares the realities of life on the road, building a loyal fanbase, balancing relationships and the lessons she has learned throughout her career. Whether you're pursuing a dream, changing careers or looking for the confidence to take a leap of faith, this episode is packed with inspiration, honesty and practical life lessons. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN • Why fear should never stop you chasing your dreams • How Cliona went from teacher to country music star • The importance of having supportive people around you • Why confidence comes from taking action • The sacrifices required to build a successful career • How to overcome self-doubt • The reality of life on the road as a performer • Why authenticity matters • How to build strong relationships while pursuing ambition • The mindset behind long-term success TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Meet Cliona Hagan 00:44 Growing Up With Music 02:34 Performing In School & Overcoming Nerves 04:09 The Importance Of A Strong Support System 05:44 Friendships, School & Growing Up Shy 08:07 The Teacher Who Changed Everything 10:28 The Sacrifices Of A Music Career 13:11 Social Media & Building A Following 14:07 Working Multiple Jobs Before Music 15:02 Studying To Become A Teacher 16:00 Leaving Teaching To Follow Her Dream 17:02 Taking A Leap Of Faith 18:05 The Hard Work Behind Success 19:13 Learning To Be Proud Of Yourself 20:17 The Reality Of Performing On Stage 22:38 Building A Loyal Fanbase 24:36 The Most Surprising Fan Story 28:40 Life On Tour 31:10 Pre-Show Rituals & Performance Preparation 34:43 Marriage, Music & Working Together 37:10 Recording Music With Her Husband 38:14 Dolly Parton Receiving Her Album 40:40 Her Dream Performance With Dolly Parton 41:15 Receiving Her Own An Post Stamp 42:35 What's Next For Cliona Hagan 43:35 Final Thoughts FOLLOW UNFILTERED Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredwithsjf/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredwithsjf TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredwithsjf FOLLOW SARAH JANE FOSTER Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahjane_foster YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sarahjanefoster TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjane_foster Website https://sarahjanefoster.com JOIN THE GREEN ROOM https://www.sarahjanefoster.com/vault Get exclusive founder insights, business lessons, content strategies, podcast takeaways and behind-the-scenes access from Sarah Jane Foster. SPONSOR This episode was sponsored by Home Instead. https://www.homeinstead.ie/

March 5, 2024Episode 343 min

James Doyle | How To Build A Personal Brand From Nothing

James Doyle joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to share the lessons he learned building a personal brand from scratch and growing an audience of over one million followers. He opens up about overcoming an eating disorder, dealing with self doubt, navigating social media fame and why success doesn't always bring happiness. James also shares his ambitions for television, the mindset behind his growth and the reality of going viral. In This Episode You'll Learn • How James built a personal brand from nothing • The mindset behind reaching one million followers • Why consistency matters more than motivation • The reality of social media fame • How he overcame an eating disorder and body image struggles • Why authenticity wins online • How to create opportunities instead of waiting for them • Why success doesn't always bring happiness • The role fitness played in rebuilding his confidence • How to keep going when nobody believes in you Timestamps 00:00 Meet James Doyle 01:21 Why Authenticity Wins Online 03:40 Fame, Attention & Trust 06:04 Relationships & Social Media 10:17 Mental Health & Confidence 12:18 Overcoming An Eating Disorder 18:55 How Fitness Changed His Life 22:22 The Video He Was Afraid To Post 25:16 The Birth Of Protein Bar 27:56 Why One Million Followers Didn't Feel Different 29:56 Success Doesn't Always Bring Happiness 34:45 Creating Content Every Day 37:40 Why He Wants To Work In Television 41:03 What Drives James Doyle? 42:18 Why He Never Lives In The Moment 43:00 Outro Follow Unfiltered Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredwithsjf/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredwithsjf TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredwithsjf Follow Sarah Jane Foster Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahjane_foster YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sarahjanefoster TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjane_foster Website https://sarahjanefoster.com Join The Green Room https://www.sarahjanefoster.com/vault Sponsor This episode is sponsored by Apache Pizza Mullingar." https://www.apache.ie/promotions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February 27, 2024Episode 243 min

Mandy Maher | The Entrepreneur Mindset Every Woman Needs

Mandy Maher joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to share the entrepreneurial mindset, resilience and self-belief that helped her build one of Ireland's leading modelling and influencer agencies. From growing up in Tipperary to launching a business that many believed would never succeed outside Dublin, Mandy shares the lessons she learned about confidence, independence, entrepreneurship and staying true to yourself. In this episode we discuss building a business from scratch, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, overcoming rejection, reinventing yourself during difficult times and why successful people never stop learning. Whether you're a founder, creator, entrepreneur or someone looking for the confidence to take the next step, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN • Why confidence comes from action, not validation • How to build a business when people doubt your vision • Why successful entrepreneurs never stop learning • The importance of staying authentic in business • How Mandy reinvented her business during Covid • Why independence matters • The mindset needed to overcome rejection • How to build a personal brand people trust • The reality of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship • Why you should stop waiting for permission TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Meet Mandy Maher 01:40 Growing Up As The Youngest Of Four 03:00 How Her Parents' Divorce Shaped Her Independence 05:15 The Importance Of Open Communication 06:27 Why Mandy Never Followed A Traditional Career Path 07:06 Her Dream Of Becoming A Model 08:36 Training As A Professional Model 09:59 Being Told College Wasn't For Her 10:32 Fitness, Business & Following Her Passion 11:46 The Business Opportunity Everyone Missed 12:34 Building A Model Agency People Said Would Fail 13:47 Persistence, Rejection & Winning The Opportunity 14:25 Being A Woman In Business 15:14 Staying Authentic In Business 17:27 What Makes A Great Model 18:31 Building A Team Culture 21:16 The Reality Of Running A Business 22:12 How Covid Changed Everything 24:40 Launching A Second Business During Covid 25:52 Why Successful People Keep Learning 26:42 Working With Major Brands 27:47 Botox, Fillers & Beauty Standards 30:04 Influencers vs Entrepreneurs 31:00 Why Every Creator Needs A Niche 32:45 What Makes Mandy Say Yes To A Brand 33:25 Turning 50 & Embracing Life 36:23 The Reality Of Motherhood & Business 39:27 Learning To Let Go As A Founder 41:50 Advice For Aspiring Entrepreneurs 42:22 Never Give Up On Your Dream 43:10 Outro FOLLOW UNFILTERED Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredwithsjf/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredwithsjf TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredwithsjf FOLLOW SARAH JANE FOSTER Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahjane_foster YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sarahjanefoster TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjane_foster Website https://sarahjanefoster.com JOIN THE GREEN ROOM https://www.sarahjanefoster.com/vault Get exclusive founder insights, business lessons, content strategies, podcast takeaways and behind-the-scenes access from Sarah Jane Foster. SPONSOR This episode was sponsored by Athlone Town Centre. https://athlonetowncentre.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.