A lesson for start-ups: A great idea will only get you so far

The start-up community in Ireland is thriving, with more than 20,000 new companies registered here in 2016, according to latest figures from Vision-Net.ie.

However, a great business idea will only take you so far. Setting up your own business is a minefield of financial planning, product development, consumer research, marketing, and branding. Here, successful Irish entrepreneurs share their wisdom and reveal what they’ve learned since they first started out.

Having the right people around you is key, according to Lulu O’Sullivan, founder and chief executive of GiftsDirect.com.