Entrepreneur Experience - 24 Hours of Success, Failure & Execution

I have been most fortunate to gain the opportunity to attend Entrepreneur Experience over the past two days.

What is the Entrepreneur Experience you might say?

Emerging entrepreneurs, each at one of three levels – early stage, investor ready, or preparing to scale – get a chance to pick the brains of seasoned entrepreneurs during the 24-hour event organised by CorkBic.

Sitting at a oval table surrounded by eight early stage startups and eight battle hardened entrepreneurs, each of whom have multiple notches on their belts. Each notch signifying a venture, successful/failure who really knows?

Embracing honesty,the group sessions offered us early birds the opportunity to ask the vets the hard questions, I am struggling to attain a route to market? how do I make a sale? I have a problem and a solution, but I can't find an investor? The list goes on.

Each of us learning from our peers problematic queries and our mentors input and encouragement. Some agree, others object but always offering the ever so sweet nuggets of advice that only experience can teach.

The one on ones sessions with our assigned mentors prove to be exceptional. Having carried out a personality assessment in advance, Peter Crowley and I were a match made in an office @CorkBic (some of whom might just call it heaven).

Instantly hitting it off, we got to work. Over the 24 hours I gained a deep admiration for Peter and his exploits over the past 41 years in business.

Peter laughs, chuckles, smiles and frowns, he's an introvert like myself. When he's quiet, he's thinking. When he speaks people listen. Pencils touch paper and the trail thats left read of Peter's words.

I find it incredibly humbling that such successful business leaders, would take time out of their busy schedules to spend a few hours, helping bewildered lambs find their way on the beaten path and even offering follow ups for the future.

The one of the best parts of attending Entrepreneurs Experience has to be, the quality fellow participants. Its a breath of fresh air to see people hard at work, advocating for change. Each promoter doing his/her best to bring their vision to life or scale to be international leaders.

All in all, I would highly recommend attending the Entrepreneur Experience if the opportunity presents itself. There's no regrets, just a sense of urgency to go forth and triumph!

I would like to thank Fionnuala Wall, Eileen Maloney and Pete Smyth for organising the event.

Best Wishes 
Kieran Normoyle