Transition Year

Entrepreneur: James Kearney
Company: Dublin Demolition Ltd.Company
Location: Unit 3 Ballymun Town Centre, Ballymun, Dublin 11.
Interviewer: Ciara Kearney

Where did you get your idea from?
I got my idea from working in the construction business dismantling tower blocks, flats and buildings that contained asbestos in Ballymun. I learned that most of the work is done by companies outside of Ireland so I thought why bring in companies from outside Ireland when the work can be done by local people. I started to research asbestos and the asbestos market in which I identified a niche in the market for this kind of work.
How long are you in business?
I am in business just over one year.
Have you tried other ideas before this one?
No, this is the first business I have ever established.
Why did you choose this sector?
I know how the construction business works and I wanted to train and employ local people as asbestos specialists, to work in our local area.
What are the characteristics do you think make a successful entrepreneur?
Dedication and determination.
What are the characteristics that make you an entrepreneur?
I think that I am hardworking and determined.
What motivates you?
I have been motivated from the start to succeed. I want to help employ local people in my area and also make it as a successful entrepreneur.
How much time do you spent working / do you take holidays?
I don’t take any time off. Running a business is a constant process and I am always trying to get more work whether I am in the office or at home.
What barriers, personal and professional, have you encountered?
When starting up my company, I came across a lot of obstacles and knock backs especially when I would go for work against the well-known companies. I think the hardest part for me has been getting my company’s name known and trying to get work.
How did you overcome these barriers?
I never gave up. I just kept on working to get to where I wanted to be.
What is your legal structure?
I run a Public Limited Company in which I am both Director and Secretary.
How did you recognise the opportunity?
I recognised the opportunity as Ballymun is currently being regenerated and the flats, tower blocks and buildings contain asbestos.
What kind of market research have you done?
I have researched the asbestos market in Ireland and how to approach the market.
How do you market your business?
I market my business by handing out leaflets, business cards and word of mouth.
Has the media influenced your business?
Yes, I have done a small job because of an article in the local news paper.
Why did you choose this specific location to set up your business?
I chose this location because it is my local area and also because the area is currently being redeveloped.
Why did you choose/not choose Ireland?
I choose Ireland because I wanted to target the Irish asbestos market.
How did you source finance – do you have investors? If so, what sort of relationship do you have with your investors?
I financed the company from personal savings.
How much involvement do you have in managing and controlling company finances?
I have an accountant to help me with my finances.
How do you set your prices?
By the size of the job, how many metres of asbestos has to be stripped, how much time it will take and how much asbestos has to be disposed of.
What is your profit margin? Is this always stable?
At the moment there is very little profit. Any profit I make goes back into the company’s account.
Do you plan on growing your business? If yes, how? Where do you think the new markets will be?
Maybe in the near future I will expand my company; expansion is always a good thing in business.
Is there anything you would do differently?
No I don’t think so. There is always learning, whether it is from a victory or a failure.
Is there one incident in your business career that has taught you a valuable lesson?
Yes, always trust your own ideas.
What advice would you give someone starting off in business?
Put all you can into your business and never give up.