Trading Up

Bernard Sloan studied chemical engineering at Queen's University but found his true calling when he moved to Nigeria with his wife Kerry to run a brewery. He decided to bring that job to an end when a neighbouring business was robbed at gunpoint and his security team took fright and disappeared. But he'd got the beer bug, so he persuaded his dad to let him turn an old cottage on the family farm in Attical, County Down (that had been a potato store) into a brewery. A river, the Whitewater, ran past the house. So, Whitewater brewery was born. Equipment was added as funds allowed with Bernard working as a college lecturer, and later industry consultant, to pay the bills. But 30 years later, Whitewater is going strong in a new 15,000 square foot facility in Castlewellan. Its beers are sold throughout pubs and restaurants across Northern Ireland, with export markets in the US and Japan opening up. Meanwhile, engineer Bernard is constantly adding to the production facilities with bespoke solutions that allow him to offer canning and bottling services to other drinks companies. It's still a team effort with wife Kerry, especially on pizza night when it's all hands to the beer pumps and ovens in the brewery's welcoming beer hall. After 30 years in business, Bernard reflects on how he has constantly pivoted to stay in business and has no intention of slowing down any day soon.

Does Donald Trump have an economic strategy and what does it mean for us? What are Tariffs? Who pays them? What's the latest development? What's happening with that UK-US deal? Why is Elon Musk so annoyed about Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill"? And what's the lesson from the classic movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off that we need to learn? In this episode, economist Richard Ramsey (Professor of Economic Practice at Queen's University) joins Jim Fitzpatrick to unpack the big issues that are impacting businesses, big and small, everywhere. Given the pace of change, they made sure to record this episode while the President was asleep to keep all the analysis up-to-date.

There's not much that immediately connects a controversial Irish language rap group from West Belfast and a former Royal Marine and George Cross recipient turned entrepreneur from Armagh. But the story told by film producer Trevor Birney, who brought the niche rap group to the world through the award-winning Kneecap movie; and the incredible life-story of Sam Shephard who served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq with the Royal Marines and displayed off-the-scale heroism that saw him awarded the UK's highest honour for non-combat bravery, do have surprising common threads. There's something about managing dynamic situations, thinking quickly, and not being afraid of danger. There's also something about taking calculated risks and being prepared to manage a situation as it develops in real-time. These are two entrepreneurs with a lot of learning to impart to anyone in business.

Mark Hutchinson was only 18 when he took charge of the family engineering business in rural South Derry. His father, Creighton, had built a successful business doing bespoke work mainly for the agricultural community in Northern Ireland. But unfortunately Creighton had been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and wanted Mark to take the reins. That was 1997 and the young Mark wasn't slow in making bold decisions - such as buying a new bit of equipment that was almost as much as a year's turnover. His father let him get on with things. He reorientated the business away from small bespoke jobs to winning contracts from big manufacturers. Over years of investment in premises, plant, equipment and people, the business is now employing 160 and turning over around £21million. Mark wants that number to hit £50 million. Mark has been joined in the business by his brother and sister and his father's legacy and values remain key. He's building a training academy named after his father that will not only provide training for his employees, but may one day offer services to others across the region.

Tom McLaughlin built his first boat in 1965 at the age of seven. It had its maiden voyage in the family garden. By 1977 with a strong desire to avoid going back to school, Tom started his own business with his first sea-worthy vessel. That boat - a simple wooden construction called Redbay One - is now on display in the company showroom. Since that early sale (which he managed to purchase back some years later from the customer), Tom has been making making boats of varying shapes and sizes at his Cushendall base in the Glens of Antrim. Around 20-25 each year. Redbay Boats specialises in RIBs (rigid inflatable boats). They're hard-hulled vessels with an inflatable collar - "like a life jacket for the boat" says Tom. They're renowed for their safety in rough conditions. And there's nowhere better to test them than just off his Antrim Coast base in the choppy waters of Rathlin Sound or near Torr Head on the famous Causeway Coast. A top of the range Redbay Boat could set you back £1.5 million. A more modest vessel might run to £60,000. These are bespoke boats where the customer has a big input into the build process. And the connection with the customers continues long after they've got their boat as Tom, and his team, manage the ongoing relationships. "Our customers become our friends," says Tom, with absolute sincerity. Tom's son Conor is now taking a central role at the business, having learnt his trade (like his father) in the workshop. In this episode Tom and Conor tell Jim about their business journey and how they deal with customers ranging from government agencies to leisure enthusiasts and spread from across Ireland and Scotland to far flung places such as the Falklands and Svalbard in the Arctic.

Who would you rather work for: Saddam Hussein or Mickey Mouse? Mervyn McCall has worked for both. As co-founder of construction giant Mivan, he built palaces for Saddam before Gulf War One put an abrupt end to that; wiped out half his business overnight; and landed him with a hostage crisis situation as 90 ex-pat staff were held by the Iraqi dictator as "human shields". With that episode behind him, he turned his focus to getting work in the massive "Euro Disney" project underway near Paris. He got a foot in the door with one director and six staff. He sent them with a firm instruction to grow that work to 60 staff. Before long it was 600 and Mickey Mouse had replaced Saddam as his number one customer. Next, he turned his attention to Asia where a revolutionary construction system he ultimately acquired, enabled him to build cheap housing in rapid order as the economies in the East boomed. At one point in his early career as he flew back into Northern Ireland after a spell away in Iraq, he noticed two things: it was green and small. The green was good - nice place to live. But the small meant bad place to work. The world was his oyster now. In this episode Mervyn dives deep into his incredible global career, the highs and lows; the personal sacrifices made along the way; the learnings for anyone keen to grow in business.

It may be a tough business, but it seems like "wee buns" to Tim Andrew. Join Tim and Jim as they delve into Andrew Ingredients' 80-year history. Discover how the family business evolved from an agency set up by his Dad at the end of the War; how Tim took a holiday job which evolved into becoming boss; how he innovated with investments in things like the test kitchen to help customers develop new products; and how he navigated challenges like Brexit and COVID-19 by adapting and embracing digital.

Discover how this Belfast-based independent retailer is thriving against the odds. Learn about what Linzi Rooney means by her culturally relevant products; how she doubled online turnover while growing high street sales and all the while maintaining her support for local makers. Explore Linzi's unique brand, realistic growth plans, and even her surprising encounter with the PayPal CEO Alex Chriss. A must-listen for retail inspiration!

Discover the inspiring journey of Tina McKenzie, from launching a recruitment business that went from zero to 150 million in short order. From running Staffline in Northern Ireland to becoming a leading figure in UK business with the Federation of Small Businesses. Hear about her meteoric growth, strategic acquisitions like Grafton, and ill-fated foray into politics. Tina shares insights on resilience, leadership, and making a real-world impact. Proving a job is just a job while purpose matters.