The Uncomfortable Truth That Entrepreneurs Ignore - Dan Kiely

Dan Kiely built one of Ireland’s great entrepreneurial success stories. Alongside Linda Green Kiely, he transformed Voxpro from a small Cork business into a global company working with some of the biggest technology companies in the world. But what did that level of success actually cost? In one of the most open conversations we have had on The Entrepreneur Experiment, Dan talks about the sacrifices required to build a company of that scale, the obsession that drove him, his relationship with Linda, cracking America, building powerful networks and eventually selling Voxpro. Then came the part nobody prepares founders for. Dan remembers looking at €45 million in his bank account after the deal and realising he had never felt more miserable. We talk about identity after an exit, addiction, giving up alcohol, learning to be present, men's mental health, his relationship with success and why he is now going back to the classroom to become a better coach and listener. Dan also explains what he looks for when investing through MASV, why Irish founders need to think globally much earlier and why relationships remain one of the greatest competitive advantages in business. This is a conversation about building a huge company. But more importantly, it is about what happens to the person who builds it. Show Notes In this episode we discuss: 00:00 Dan and Linda's extraordinary partnership 00:42 Why Linda was the original venture capitalist 04:30 Building a company valued at €150 million 05:42 What success actually cost Dan 10:00 The hidden pressure behind public success 15:00 Why Dan fought for the idea of “operational beauty” 20:40 Our growing addiction to Reels 25:30 AI will either serve you or you will serve AI 35:45 Why Irish founders need to go where their market is 40:30 Why your network is everything 46:10 Why Voxpro was “50% business and 50% show business” 50:08 Ireland's complicated relationship with failure 52:40 How America changed Dan's mindset 59:30 Addiction, ambition and giving up alcohol 01:01:13 Becoming more present and getting to know himself 01:06:15 Why every entrepreneur needs to understand their exit 01:10:50 Life immediately after selling Voxpro 01:11:27 “I had €45 million in my bank account and I've never been so miserable in my life” 01:15:00 Finding a new identity and creating MASV 01:19:10 Men's mental health and helping other founders 01:20:00 Why Dan has gone back to education 01:25:00 Linda's next chapter and using fashion to create impact Guest resources Dan Kiely on LinkedIn MASV