Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community is a podcast created for the people behind small businesses. Drawing on over 40 years of self-employment experience, we share honest conversations, real-life lessons and practical advice on the challenges business owners face every day.
From clarity, cashflow and business growth to networking, systems, wellbeing and the pressures of working for yourself, we talk about the things that really matter.
Joined by experienced guests and business experts, our message is simple: being self-employed doesn't mean you have to do it alone.
A 2 Dans Production in association with BridgeLink.
The Enquiry You Never Knew You Lost - The Importance of The Customer Experience
What happens when a potential customer contacts your business? Is their enquiry handled properly, or could valuable opportunities be slipping through the cracks? In this episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we're joined by Eddie Stack of Insight6 to discuss the importance of customer experience and how the way we handle enquiries can directly impact sales, reputation and business growth. We explore the hidden leakages in the customer journey and the simple improvements that can make a real difference. Sometimes growing your business isn't about finding more customers. It's about looking after the opportunities you already have.
#SelfEmployed #CustomerExperience #CustomerService #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusiness #BusinessOwner #Sales #BridgeLink
29 Sept 2026
Who Protects You When You’re Self-Employed? | Eugene Ryan
If you couldn't work tomorrow, what would happen to your income, your business and your family?
When you're self-employed, you're often the person everyone else depends on. You look after the customers, the staff, the bills and the business. But one important question is often overlooked:
Who looks after you?
In this episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we're joined by Eugene Ryan of Safeguard Financial Services to discuss the importance of financial protection for self-employed people and business owners.
We explore what can happen when illness, injury or unexpected circumstances prevent you from working, why it's important to understand the financial risks you face, and the steps business owners should consider when putting their own safety net in place.
This isn't about expecting the worst. It's about being prepared and protecting what you've worked so hard to build.
If your business depends on you, this is a conversation worth hearing.
Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community A 2 Dans Production in association with BridgeLink.
#SelfEmployed #FinancialProtection #BusinessOwner #IncomeProtection #SmallBusiness #FinancialPlanning #BusinessContinuity #Entrepreneurship #IrishBusiness #BridgeLink
22 Sept 2026
You Can't Build It Alone: Growing from Self-Employed to Business Owner | Eric Howey
What happens when your business starts to grow beyond what you can manage on your own?
In this episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we're joined by Eric Howey of EMH Technical Services, who shares his experience of building his business over the past seven years.
We talk about the realities of moving from doing everything yourself to building a team, making those important early hires, learning to delegate and trusting other people to help you grow the business.
Eric shares some of the lessons he's learned along the way, including the challenges, mistakes and decisions that have helped shape EMH Technical Services.
For many self-employed people, one of the hardest lessons to learn is also one of the most important:
You don't have to do everything yourself.
If you're self-employed and reaching the point where you simply can't do it all anymore, this conversation is for you.
Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community A 2 Dans Production in association with BridgeLink.
#SelfEmployed #BusinessGrowth #BusinessOwner #BuildingATeam #Leadership #Delegation #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #IrishBusiness #BridgeLink
15 Sept 2026
Work Smarter, Not Harder: Making Technology Work for Your Business
Are you using technology to make your business easier to run, or is it creating even more work?
In this episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we're joined by Eithne Dolan to explore how Microsoft 365 and better digital systems can help self-employed people and small business owners save time, improve organisation and work more efficiently.
We discuss practical ways to simplify everyday tasks, improve communication and collaboration, organise your business information and get more from the technology you may already be paying for.
The message is simple: you don't need to know everything about technology. You just need the right systems to help you work smarter.
Watch the full conversation and discover how better systems can give you back one of your most valuable resources: time.
Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community A 2 Dans Production in association with BridgeLink.
#SelfEmployed #Microsoft365 #SmallBusiness #BusinessSystems #Productivity #DigitalTransformation #BusinessOwner #WorkSmarter #BridgeLink
8 Sept 2026
What happens to your business when you're ready to step away?
Succession planning is something many business owners know they need to think about, but often keep putting off.
In our latest episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we're joined by Mairead Hennessy to discuss why succession planning needs to start long before you're ready to exit.
We talk about preparing the business, protecting its value, planning for the future and one of the biggest questions every business owner eventually needs to answer:
What happens to the business without me?
Watch this short clip and catch the full conversation on YouTube or Spotify.
#SelfEmployed #SuccessionPlanning #BusinessOwner #ExitPlanning #BusinessStrategy #SmallBusiness #BridgeLink
31 Aug 2026
Health & Wellbeing When You’re Self-Employed | Dr Fiona Barry
When you're self-employed, looking after the business can easily come before looking after yourself.
In this episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we're joined by Dr Fiona Barry to discuss the importance of health and wellbeing for business owners.
We explore the pressures of self-employment, managing stress, recognising when you're doing too much, creating healthier routines and understanding why your own wellbeing needs to be treated as a business priority.
Because when you're the person your business depends on, looking after yourself isn't a luxury. It's essential.
If you're constantly busy, struggling to switch off or putting yourself at the bottom of the priority list, this conversation is for you.
A 2 Dans Production in association with BridgeLink.
#SelfEmployed #HealthAndWellbeing #BusinessOwner #WorkLifeBalance #SmallBusiness #BusinessWellbeing #Entrepreneurship #BridgeLink
21 Aug 2026
Stop Saying Yes to Everything: Setting Boundaries as a Business Owner
When you're self-employed, saying yes can feel like part of the job. Yes to every customer, every opportunity, every request and every problem.
But what is all that saying yes actually costing you?
In this episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we explore the importance of setting boundaries, protecting your time and energy, and learning that saying no can sometimes be one of the best decisions you make for yourself and your business.
You don't have to be everything to everyone.
14 Aug 2026
Grow Online with Clarity – with Louise McDonnell
How do you grow your business online without becoming overwhelmed by social media?
In this episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we’re joined by award-winning social media strategist Louise McDonnell to discuss what really works online.
Louise shares practical insights on creating the right message, producing content that connects with your audience, building simple systems and using social media strategically to grow your business.
You don’t need to be everywhere online. You need to be clear, consistent and relevant.
Watch now and discover how to make social media work for your business.
7 Aug 2026
Why Business Skills are critical for the self employed.
Being great at what you do doesn’t automatically mean you know how to run a successful business.
In this episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we explore why developing strong business skills is essential for long-term success. From cashflow and sales to communication, systems, leadership and planning, we discuss the skills that help you move from simply doing the work to actually building a business.
You may be an expert at your trade or profession, but learning how to run the business can change everything.
31 Jul 2026
Networking isn't about collecting business cards. It's about building genuine relationships.
In this episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we explore why so many self-employed people experience isolation and how meaningful networking can provide the support, knowledge and opportunities needed to grow both personally and professionally.
Discover why networking done properly is about trust, collaboration and long-term relationships, not selling. If you've ever felt like you're building your business alone, this episode will remind you that the right network can make all the difference.
Listen now and discover why networking isn't sales – it's survival.
23 Jul 2026
Cashflow is the lifeblood of every business.
In this episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we explore why profitable businesses can still struggle if cashflow isn't managed effectively. We discuss practical ways to improve cashflow, avoid common mistakes and build stronger financial habits that give business owners greater confidence and control.
Whether you're just starting out or running an established business, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you strengthen one of the most important areas of your business.
Listen now and take control of your cashflow before it takes control of your business.
17 Jul 2026
The Hidden Leakages Costing Your Business Thousands
Where is your business quietly losing time, money and opportunities?
In this episode of Self-Employed: The Forgotten Community, we explore the hidden leakages that can impact your bottom line, from wasted time and inefficient systems to poor enquiry handling and missed customer opportunities.
Sometimes business growth isn't about finding more customers. It's about identifying and fixing the leaks in the business you already have.
🎙️ Watch now and ask yourself: Where is my business leaking revenue?
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