Your Pursuit Of Happiness

Episode 61 - Alejandro Gutierrez - Defactor & Defactor Labs

Alejandro is Co-Founder of Defactor and CEO of Defactor Labs – who this week are launching Europe’s first institutional grade DeFi product. A well known figure in Blockchain and Web3 in Ireland (and Globally), we speak about all things from moving from engineering, to supply chain to Web3 via Sydney to Dublin. Alejandro shares insights on what the market wants and where the ecosystem is going as well as advice on getting into Web3.

 

• 0:30 – Intros and Alejandro’s background
• 2:50 – Getting into blockchain for the first time
• 4:20 – What difference does blockchain make in the supply chain process?
• 5:50 – Further down the blockchain rabbit hole with the Happy Pear
• 7:20 – Co-Founding Consol Freight
• 9:30 – Pilot with Maker DAO
• 10:50 – The concept of Defactor – spotting a market gap
• 11:40 – What do Defactor do?
• 14:00 – Growth strategy
• 15:20 – What has the Defactor journey been like so far?
• 16:50 – Regulation & compliance being a commercial advantage
• 17:40 – Being regulated doesn’t equal safe
• 18:20 – FTX and it’s impact on DeFi and the opportunity it creates for real world assets
• 20:00 – Where next for Defactor?
• 20:30 – Alejandro’s view on Web3 in Ireland
• 22:50 – Interest in blockchain and opportunities from the TechWreck
• 24:50 – The next evolution of Web3
• 26:40 – The range within Web3 and how to look at Web3 projects
• 24:30 – New skills in demand in Web3
• 28:35 – Advice for someone thinking of getting into Web3

 

Defactor: https://defactor.com/

Alejandro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-gutierrez-98979b43/

Hackathon: https://www.ethdublin.io/

 

 

Episode60 - Andrew Quinn - PAT Business School

Delighted to have Andrew Quinn back on the show for a second time. Andrew talks about how he went from bringing down Lehman Brothers 😉, before skipping off to the Bahamas, to education. Andrew has been a long time friend of Top Tier Recruitment and a real pleasure to hear his back story and his passion for what he does today supporting the Compliance & Risk industry in Ireland.

 

• 1:00 – Andrew’s background and how he went from trading to academia!
• 4:00 – Making a positive contribution to society
• 5:50 – What do you do now with PAT Business School
• 10:00 – Compliance by Design and how technology is changing things – including ChatGPT
• 11:00 – Embracing technology
• 11:45 – What is going to be important to know if you are in compliance and risk over the next few years?
• 14:20 – Will technology make compliance more strategic?
• 15:30 – Ireland & the EUs high standards in risk & compliance
• 16:30 – What has changed from 2007 to today when hiring in Risk & Compliance – is Compliance becoming more commercial?
• 19:30 – Speed to market & compliance
• 20:00 – From FinTech to Blockchain
• 23:15 – New avenues for Compliance & Risk professionals?
• 26:00 – Compliance in Crypto
• 27:50 – Find out more

 

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewquinn3/

PAT FinTech - https://pat.edu.eu/fintech/

Episode 59 - Sara Jane Kenny - Web3

Sara Jane, at 18 years of age, is probably one of the best known people in and around the Web3 space in Ireland… and beyond. For anyone who want’s to get into Web3 (or any industry for that matter), this podcast is for you. Sara Jane has had her own start up, worked with Mel Ventures, Sors, Algorand, Unbanx and invests in Crypto and Web3 projects – we chat about everything from crypto to taking risks to get what you want.

 

 

• 1:00 – Tell us about your background and how you got into Web3 & Blockchain
• 7:00 – You don’t need to be from a tech background to get into Web3
• 9:00 – Attempted career recap!
• 10:20 – How to get into Web3 & Blockchain
• 12:45 – Networking in Web3 in Ireland
• 13:45 – Always upskill!
• 15:00 – Non technology roles in Web3 & Blockchain
• 16:45 – Advice for getting into Web3 & Blockchain
• 18:30 – Is Web3 more about the person than the skills?

 

Don’t forget to connect with Sara Jane!

 

LinkedIn: Sara Jane Kenny

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ganainmtech

Episode 58 - Owen O Driscoll - Plandail

Back in 2023 with our focus on Web3 & Blockchain. First up, Owen O Driscoll, Founder of Impact Investing platform - Plandail. Paul & Owen get into all things Plandail, the world of Web3 and how to break into it and advice for someone thinking of going out on their own.

• 0:38 Seconds - Intro
• 1:35 – Owen & Plandail – the back story and blockchain
• 8:10 – The Maltese Accelerator
• 9:00 – The fundamentals of a business are sector and technology agnostic
• 10:00 – a good idea is not necessarily a commercial idea and raising money through VC
• 11:30 – What exactly Plandail do
• 14:20 – Why blockchain technology was important for Plandail
• 17:10 – Web3 – where is it going in Ireland and globally in 2023 and beyond
• 22:20 – Advice for budding entrepreneurs – talk to people and validate
• 25:50 – Stepping away from a ‘steady’ pay check
• 30 – Is redundancy the right time to start your own business?
• 28:50 – Getting into the blockchain / Web3 world
• 30:15 – Web3 & Blockchain community in Ireland

Links:

Plandail.com

Owen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenodriscoll/

Episode 57 - Gavin Pitcher - CKS Finance

Gavin Pitcher is Head of Corporate Finance and Technology Advisory for CKS Finance. In this episode, Gavin speaks about all things CKS and how they are on a track to become the premier Corporate Finance advisory in Ireland. 

Episode 56 - What a Good CV/Resume Looks Like!

In this episode, Paul and Laura cover various aspects to consider when drafting and editing your cv. Did you know you should adapt your cv to each and every role you apply to?

Episode 55 - Your Job Search in 2021!

As we look back on 2020, Paul and Laura discuss how this year will differ from previous ones. Tune in for plenty of tips!

Episode 54 - Recruitment During the Christmas Period

Recruitment always gets slower coming up to Christmas. Companies are focused on their end of year results and hiring Managers take time off to spend with their families, so it always takes a back seat. It is the perfect time to brush up on your cv, interview skills and job search strategies.

Episode 53 - Recruitment During the Second Lock Down

We are now in our second lockdown, however, this time does feel a lot less severe – perhaps it has become out new normal.

Episode 52 - What do you need to think about if you are considering a career change?

In this episode, we discuss:

1. What is the reason for being at a point where you are considering changing career?
2. Do you know what you want to do?
3. Mind the gap!
4. How will you know you are making progress?
5. What is your timeline?
6. What are you prepared to do to achieve your goal?