When I stood in front of a group of students at the School of Business in Maynooth University recently, I opened with a question I’ve asked myself many times over the years:

What does motivation mean to you?

This isn’t just a question for reflection. It’s the heartbeat of why we do what we do—whether in life, in work, or in business.

For me, motivation has never been fixed. It has shifted and evolved over time. But at its core, it’s always been rooted in one thing: a deep sense of purpose. That inner voice that whispers—and sometimes shouts—“this matters.”

Why Do People Start Businesses?

There are plenty of academic theories that explore what drives people to become entrepreneurs. And when I reflect on my own journey, I can see how these ideas play out in real life:

• McClelland’s Need for Achievement explains the satisfaction I get from setting goals, building something from the ground up, and pushing past my own limits.

• Rotter’s Locus of Control reminds me I’ve always believed I could shape my own future. I didn’t wait for permission—I created my own path.

• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs highlights how entrepreneurship can meet so many levels of fulfilment—from security and belonging to self-actualisation.

These theories remind me of something we don’t say enough:

People don’t start businesses just to make money. They start them to matter.

My First Step into Business

I started my first business at 21. I didn’t have a business degree or a step-by-step plan. What I had was a gut feeling—and a business idea I couldn’t shake. Alongside two co-founders, we launched a niche recruitment agency that put people first.

Since then, I’ve built and co-created multiple ventures—flower vending machines, a catering training network, a charity that supports educational projects. Each one started with a feeling: a gap I saw, a problem I couldn’t ignore.

That’s how I define business idea ideation.
Sometimes it’s a spark. Sometimes it’s a persistent itch that won’t leave you alone until you do something about it.

And through it all, I’ve learned this:

If you don’t go within, you go without.

Knowing what drives you isn’t optional. It’s the foundation of everything.

Purpose, Self-Awareness & the Future of Work

At Maynooth, I shared a tool I often return to: a Purpose Chart I found online years ago (creator unknown). It reflects the Japanese concept of Ikigai—a powerful philosophy that explores the intersection of:

❤️ What you love
🌍 What the world needs
💼 What you can be paid for
🧠 What you’re good at

When all four align, you find your Ikigai—your reason for being. That, to me, is the sweet spot of meaningful entrepreneurship.

And in today’s world, as we navigate one of the biggest shifts in work since the industrial revolution, I believe one truth stands strong:

People still connect with people.

In a world being reshaped by AI, your greatest value won’t come from task efficiency. It will come from how well you know yourself, how clearly you communicate your values, and how courageously you follow what motivates you.

A Note to the Students—and to You

So I left the students with this invitation:

Stay curious. Listen to what speaks to your heart. Don’t be afraid to take the road less travelled.

Because when you understand what motivates you, you’ll always find your way—whether that leads to a career, a cause, or a company of your own.

These are the themes I’m exploring more deeply in the book I’m currently writing on entrepreneurship and business start-ups. If this resonates, I’d love to have you on that journey with me.

A special thank you to Aisling Hurley for the invitation to speak—and for giving me the opportunity to reconnect with my own ‘why.’