SFA Awards 2026 podcast episode 02: ‘Not everything is going to go to plan’ – important advice to new businesses in Ireland

You don’t have to look very far within the small business sector in Ireland to find a huge amount of variety. From eco‑friendly start‑ups with big ideas to family‑run companies that have been part of their communities for generations. Together, they bring fresh thinking, passion, and real drive to the country’s economy. What’s great is that their creativity and resilience don’t just fuel their own success, but they also inspire other business owners.

That’s part of why the National Small Business Awards, run each year by the Small Firms Association, feel so special. The event celebrates businesses with less than 50 employees based all across Ireland, and the awards help to shine a light on their achievements in all kinds of industries, whilst recognising just how important they are to local communities and to Ireland as a whole. And for a lot of the entrants, the experience is about much more than picking up a trophy. It becomes a chance to reflect on everything they’ve learned along the way, such as the connections they’ve made, the advice they’ve shared, and the insights they’ve brought back to their own companies.

On episode two of the SFA Awards 2026 video podcast, in partnership with the Irish Independent, you will hear from SFA Director, David Broderick and previous awards finalists and winners Alisson Moffatt from Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway and Morgan Pierce from SolarSmart. We hope you enjoy hearing their experiences.