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Durable Entrepreneurs

Durable Entrepreneurs

By: Sean O'Hara MBA
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 Welcome to Durable Entrepreneurs – the podcast built for those who don’t just want to succeed, but want to last. Entrepreneurship is tough, but you don’t have to go it alone. Each week, we bring you raw, real, and practical insights from battle-tested entrepreneurs and sharp industry experts who’ve been through the trenches – and came out stronger. From breakthrough stories to road-tested strategies, we share the tools, mindset, and grit you need to build a business that not only grows, but endures. No fluff. No fake hype. Just powerful conversations to help you thrive long-term. Let’s build something that lasts. Welcome to Durable Entrepreneurs. Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Your Story Makes a Difference - with Andrew Poles

    Your Story Makes a Difference - with Andrew Poles
    Mar 24 2026
    In this episode, Sean welcomes Andrew Poles, a three-time founder and seasoned business coach with over 20 years of experience. Andrew discusses the critical transition from being a grinder to becoming an effective leader. He shares a deeply personal story of missing a milestone in his daughter's life to attend a meeting, which became a turning point in his understanding of professional success versus personal fulfillment. KEY TAKEAWAYS While early-stage entrepreneurship often requires intense hours and "hustle," relying on that same mindset as the business grows prevents a founder from becoming a true leader. Success is hollow if it comes at the cost of irreplaceable personal moments. Andrew highlights how a single missed event at his daughter’s senior prom forced him to re-evaluate his "loyal soldier" mentality. The skills required to be a high-performing individual contributor are fundamentally different from the skills needed to lead a team. Effective delegation requires "slowing down to speed up." Investing time in thorough training and clear context today prevents the need for micromanagement and "fixing" work later. A founder's primary job is to be the "Chief Storytelling Officer," providing the "Why, What, and How" that gives team members the context they need to think and act independently. BEST MOMENTS "The pain of violating something important to you... is the fire that ultimately transforms you." "Not everything is actually existential. Not every single thing is a make-or-break moment for your company." "The skill set of being a hard worker and knowing how to personally produce results is completely, totally different from the skill set required to lead or manage other people." "You can't typically be successful if you don't know how to grind... but if that's the only thing you know how to do, you will get trapped." "Human beings are fundamentally, neurologically story-based in our interaction with the world... we act on the stories." HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it. Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    46 mins
  • Finding the Right Franchise Opportunity - with Adam Goldman

    Finding the Right Franchise Opportunity - with Adam Goldman
    Mar 17 2026
    Today, Sean sits down with franchise coach and consultant Adam Goldman to explore the world of franchise entrepreneurship. Adam shares his personal journey from selling a business in Europe to finding his niche in the U.S. and debunking common misconceptions about franchising, including the idea that it is limited to fast food or requires millions in capital. Their conversation dives deep into the benefits of ‘buying a system’, the power of the franchise network, and the flexibility of semi-absentee ownership. KEY TAKEAWAYS Beyond quick-service restaurants, franchises exist in over 75 different industries, including pet services, home healthcare, and even niche businesses like "goose chasing". Buying a franchise means buying a proven brand and an operational system (the "secret sauce") that reduces the risk of starting from scratch. One of the most underrated benefits is the community of fellow franchisees who act as mentors and sounding boards, offering support and training without a direct monetary motive. You don’t always have to be an owner-operator; many franchises allow for semi-absentee ownership, where a manager runs the daily tasks while the owner commits 5 to 10 hours a week. Aspiring entrepreneurs can use various funding methods, including ROBS (Roll-overs as Business Start-ups) to invest 401(k) funds without penalty, or traditional SBA loans. BEST MOMENTS "I think that sometimes the biggest challenge is not necessarily failure, but success." "Entrepreneurship through franchising is like bowling with bumpers." "Just because you start small doesn't mean you have to end small." "AI is actually emphasising more than anything a human connection. There are certain businesses that are kind of AI-proof." "Everyone thinks that they have more than one flashlight. In reality, we only have one flashlight. That’s how she talks about our attention." HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it. Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    40 mins
  • Delegate to Accelerate Your Business Growth - with Renee Hastings

    Delegate to Accelerate Your Business Growth - with Renee Hastings
    Mar 10 2026
    In this episode, Renee Hastey, founder of Executive Help Now, joins Sean to discuss the pivotal moment that nearly broke her as an entrepreneur and how it led to a revolutionary shift in her business operations. Renee shares her raw experience of working multiple jobs on just three hours of sleep, the toll it took on her health and work quality, and the life-changing decision to hire her first virtual assistant. We dive deep into the mindset shifts necessary for founders to overcome the fear of letting go, the importance of aligning with a team that shares your core values, and practical strategies for identifying which tasks to delegate first. Renee’s journey is a powerful testament to the idea that true success isn't found in doing it all yourself, but in empowering others to help you scale sustainably while protecting your peace. KEY TAKEAWAYS Hiring support isn't just about business efficiency; it's a critical investment in a founder's mental health and overall well-being. High personal standards can lead to burnout if you don't have the capacity to maintain them. Perfectionism shouldn't be a barrier to growth. Founders should spend the majority of their time on activities that move the needle financially. Everything else is a candidate for delegation. When building a support team, aligning on core values and work ethics is more important than just technical skills for long-term success. Effective delegation replaces negative, overwhelming stress with ‘eustress’, a positive stress that fuels innovation and excitement for the future. BEST MOMENTS "When you're operating on three hours of sleep, the quality of your work starts to suffer. You start to miss opportunities because you're burning the candle at both ends." "Delegation is not just a business move; it’s self-care. It’s an investment in your own mental health." "I had to battle my own fears of delegating and allowing someone else into my private circle, my bubble of life." "You should be spending all of your time in revenue-generating activities. Anything that is not a revenue generator is something that should be delegated." "A team could look like one person doing one thing or two people doing several things. All of it takes things off your plate so that you can focus on the things that you built the business for." HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it. Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    46 mins
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