SharkPod #100 ”Career Evolution” - Niall O‘Kelly - Partner, Darwin Hawkins

What is up SharkNation!

We made it to 100 episodes! Thanks to all our listeners and guests over the past 2 years, it's been a great experience and we hope to continue to deliver content that helps our audience to "Keep Moving Forward".

On this special episode Luke and Mark sit down with Mark's business partner - Niall O'Kelly,Partner in Darwin Hawkins. 

Mark and Niall started their finance recruitment business, Darwin Hawkins, just over 3 years ago and have built what they believe to be a lasting brand in the space. Niall, like Mark, is a qualified chartered accountant (training in PwC) and it was Niall that first suggested recruitment as a career path for Mark. 

Key takeaways:

1. Entering a tried and tested industry, but do it your way, and do it well. This is perhaps a lesson that is lost on the millennial generation that look up to the Zucks and the Bezos' of the world and think they have to re-invent the wheel to be a success in business. The majority of successful businesses are built on the back of real life experience in an established industry. Niall and Mark learned the business by working at successful recruitment firm, this helped give them the know how and the network to go out on their own. 

2. There is no perfect time to launch your business: Niall and Mark have weathered the initial covid storm and continue to grow the business. Timing is important but action trumps timing. Waiting around for perfect conditions is not the way to move forward. 

3. Burn the boats - go all in: Lots of people start businesses as side hustles with the safety net of a corporate job - Niall and Mark went all in, leaving their secure jobs behind and grinding out the first 6 months in the face of adversity. With no way back - no boats to flee upon they were forced to build a lasting business that is now growing rapidly. 

For more information on Niall: https://www.darwinhawkins.com/about/meet-the-team/

For feedback: Luke@shark.ie.