Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster · Episode 9 · · 70 minutes

Paddy Dunning | How To Spot Opportunities Everyone Else Misses

An interview with Paddy Dunning, hosted by Sarah Jane Foster. Produced by SJF Productions.

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About this episode

Paddy Dunning joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to share the entrepreneurial mindset behind some of Ireland's most iconic creative and entertainment businesses.

From bringing Michael Jackson to Ireland and building Grouse Lodge Recording Studios to creating The Button Factory, The National Wax Museum, The Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience and now the world's largest moving statue, Paddy shares the lessons he has learned from a lifetime of creativity, risk-taking and innovation.

He opens up about entrepreneurship, reinvesting profits, spotting opportunities others miss, the future of music, the impact of AI and why some of the best businesses are built by solving problems nobody else sees. Whether you're a founder, creator, entrepreneur or someone with a big idea, this episode is packed with practical lessons on vision, perseverance and building things that matter.

Key takeaways

  • How to spot opportunities others overlook
  • Why the best businesses solve missing problems
  • The importance of reinvesting in your vision
  • How Paddy built multiple iconic Irish businesses
  • What Michael Jackson was really like in Ireland
  • Why musicians need new revenue streams
  • The future of AI and creativity
  • How to think bigger when building a business
  • Why legacy matters more than success
  • The mindset behind building the world's largest moving statue

About Paddy Dunning

Paddy Dunning is one of Ireland's most innovative entrepreneurs and the founder behind some of the country's most recognisable creative and entertainment ventures.

His projects include Grouse Lodge Recording Studios, The Button Factory, The National Wax Museum, The Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience and The Giant project.

Throughout his career Paddy has consistently identified opportunities others missed and transformed ambitious ideas into successful businesses that have shaped Ireland's cultural and entertainment landscape.

If it doesn't exist, build it.

Chapters

  1. 00:00 Michael Jackson In Ireland
  2. 04:09 Inside Grouse Lodge Studios
  3. 06:01 How Musicians Actually Make Money
  4. 10:40 The Best Advice Paddy Ever Received About Money
  5. 13:18 Building Ireland's First Sound Training College
  6. 15:42 The Story Behind The National Wax Museum
  7. 18:00 Lessons From Tourism & Business
  8. 18:45 Why He Built The Button Factory
  9. 19:46 Creating The Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum
  10. 22:49 The Giant Project Explained
  11. 25:35 Building The World's Largest Moving Statue
  12. 27:40 How The Giant Will Transform Cities
  13. 29:31 The Future Of Music & Technology
  14. 30:14 Why Creators Should Embrace AI
  15. 31:32 Legacy, Giving Back & Impact
  16. 32:56 How Paddy Switches Off
  17. 33:44 Final Thoughts