IGNITE Start-up Spotlight: Paul McCabe

1 Oct 2025

We were delighted to recently have Paul McCabe give a very inspiring talk to our founders in IGNITE this week. Paul is CEO at J1Accom.Com,  FortuneFavours.ie and also owns and runs J.Dalys's Pub and guesthouse in Ballydehob.

We were delighted to recently have Paul McCabe give a very inspiring talk to our founders in IGNITE this week. Paul is CEO at J1Accom.Com,  FortuneFavours.ie and also owns and runs J.Dalys's Pub and guesthouse in Ballydehob. His story shows that while entrepreneurship takes grit and resourcefulness, it also thrives on energy, creativity, and fun. For him, enjoying the process from nightclub buses to J1 accommodation to company retreats has been as important as the financial results.

Early Ventures & First Lessons

• Paul’s entrepreneurial streak began young, running nightclub buses at 16. He learned negotiation from his dad and discovered that business could be enjoyable as well as profitable.
  

The J1 Scam that Sparked a Business

• After being scammed for accommodation in San Diego, Paul spotted a gap in the market and decided to set up a trustworthy service for J1 students.
  

Growth Through Enjoyment

• Fun has been central to his journey: from brainstorming ideas with colleagues over drinks, to building student add-ons like boat parties, to organising company retreats that felt like holidays with friends.
  
  
• Even setbacks and funding struggles were tackled with humour and creativity he emphasised that keeping things enjoyable makes the hard work sustainable.
  

Approach & Advice

• Execution over perfection: act quickly on ideas, test them, and learn.
  
  
• Negotiate everything - it’s both a skill and, in Paul’s case, something he genuinely enjoys.
  
  
• Don’t keep ideas locked away; share them, get feedback, and build networks.
  
  
• You don’t need money or privilege to start; what matters is persistence, adaptability, and keeping your work energising.
  

Reflections

To him, entrepreneurship is like sport for others -  it’s fun, it’s where he gets his kicks, and it’s the reason he keeps creating.