Unfolding the Innovators: Meet two of Ireland’s most dynamic self-starters

Milena Jaksic, founder, Platinum Pilates

With 26 years’ experience, Milena Jaksic is one of the brightest lights, and most respected entrepreneurs in the Irish wellness and fitness industry. The dynamic co-founder of Platinum Pilates was a fitness instructor herself before opening her first studio in 2010. Fourteen years later, Platinum Pilates now boasts six state-of-the-art reformer Pilates studios and four physiotherapy clinics. The latest, brand new studio just opened on Dublin’s Hatch Street epitomises the enticing aesthetic and professional attention to detail that Milena has made synonymous with Platinum Pilates. With 30 highly skilled teachers, physios and movement practitioners, the studios operate 400 sessions per week and take care of 3,500 clients per week across the studios and clinics.

My father is from Serbia and my mother is from Kerry, so I think I inherited my hard-working spirit and interest in people from them. I have them both to thank for the roots they instilled in me – a deep sense of resilience and determination, as well as a genuine interest in people. From my dad, I learned the value of hard work and the importance of facing challenges head-on, traits that have given me the strength to grow Platinum Pilates with confidence. From my mum, I inherited a strong connection to community, the value of truly listening, and the importance of supporting others. These qualities have profoundly influenced how I approach my work, where I strive to build my business, not only as a place for physical wellness but also as a community that is welcoming, supportive, and encouraging for everyone who walks through our doors.

My lightbulb moment was realising that innovation doesn’t have to be complex. It’s not necessarily about creating something entirely new. It’s more about reinventing how people experience something familiar, and using those innovations to create groundbreaking solutions. During my early days in the wellness industry, I saw that many people felt disconnected from traditional exercise and gym environments and struggled to find joy or comfort in that environment and therefore struggled to find the motivation to keep it up. That’s when I envisioned Platinum Pilates – a beautiful space where people could learn to enjoy movement and the feeling of getting stronger. 

The most important quality key to success is adaptability. The landscape is ever-changing and success is often about how quickly you can pivot and adapt to change. You’re also going to need a good dose of resilience coupled with this!  Everyone talks about the hustle, but few recognize the power of being able to rise after countless setbacks. It’s the ability to endure failure, learn from it, and still push forward. Success often isn’t about getting it right the first time; it’s about having the tenacity to keep trying until you do. 

In a pitch, I would look for passion, clarity and scalability. Clarity: can you articulate your vision clearly? Passion: is your commitment contagious? And, scalability: does your idea have the potential to continue to grow, develop and make an impact on a larger scale? A great pitch strikes a balance between vision and pragmatism. I would want to see an idea that’s bold enough to excite, but grounded enough to seem achievable. 

As a working mum, my three beautiful daughters have literally been with me along each step of the way. When I first started Platinum Pilates, our kitchen table was essentially the head office. In those early years, it was a real juggling act – with a newborn, a four-year-old and an eight-year-old. Getting dinner on the table, helping with homework and bath times are not conducive to making and taking calls to get a new business off the ground. There were moments when I’d be trying to sound professional on the phone, while giving “the look” to keep everyone quiet. It was like conducting a mini-orchestra of chaos. The balancing act was tough, but it also brought plenty of laughter, and I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything. I hope that this journey will inspire the girls to work hard and understand the value of dedication, the importance of perseverance and the rewards of effort as they carve their own paths.

Dylan Bradshaw, founder, Dylan Bradshaw

Dylan Bradshaw has been working in hairdressing salons since he was 17. Having grafted his way up, with stints in New York and London, today Dylan is one of the most well-known and highly regarded names in the business in Ireland. His eponymously named salon in Dublin is completely unique, located in a spectacular space on South William Street, spread over six stories of a beautiful 18th-century Georgian building. Dylan is a multi-award-winning hair stylist with a celebrity list of clients that includes U2, Hozier, The Corrs and Victoria Beckham. When he is not travelling for work to weave his magic backstage at Dior during the Cannes Film Festival or Berlin Fashion Week, he is in his Dublin salon every day looking after clients. 

My lightbulb moment was the day I thought, yes I can do this. I can take what I’ve learnt and do this for myself; no disrespect to the guys I was working for at the time. But I realised I could put my own stamp on it. After that lightbulb moments just keep coming! I’m 25 years in this business and I still love it. It’s the lightbulb moments that keep me excited and make me want to do new things each week, to keep enhancing the Dylan Bradshaw experience. 

The most important quality key to success is belief. You have to believe in what you are doing, in the brand that you have created. And you have to surround yourself with good people, good people who also believe in your product. Once you have that, you can create a great energy – and that energy is contagious; it draws people in. 

If someone was pitching to me, I would need to buy into them straight away. You would have to make me believe that you have what it takes to drive your vision, and to really make it excel. I don’t care what you’re selling – the most important thing is that you are selling yourself. For me, it’s all about the person first and the product second. You have to make me believe in you. 

I’m not sure that I believe in luck. I believe in hard work and preparation. I was saying this to my 18-year-old son the other day, as he’s stressing about studying for his Leaving Cert, and he remarked that it was okay for me as I was lucky, and had a successful business behind me. But I explained that preparation is key. You have to have done the groundwork, or luck can come your way and you’ll miss the opportunity because you’re not ready for it. 

This business has taken me all over the world, but working in the salon here in Dublin every day is what really makes me tick. The film industry award ceremonies, international fashion weeks and TV gigs are great but it’s my clients here at home that mean the most to me. Working in the salon is my tonic. It’s the most grounding experience; I get such a sense of purpose from making someone else happy. That’s what the service industry is all about, you need to feel it – not just do it. 

The Pitch 2024 

The Pitch 2024 is open to entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs who are ready to accelerate their business with a game-changing prize fund worth €100,000.

The competition, which is an IMAGE Media and Samsung partnership, has two stages. Stage One involves sharing your business story in writing or by video through the application form here by October 18, 1pm. Your application should provide evidence of your business’s potential growth and viability. 

Finalists will progress to Stage Two where they have the chance to pitch their business in front of a panel of five judges. This is your Dragons’ Den-style pitch where you have seven minutes to bring your business story to life, to share your vision, your success to date and your goals for the future.

Now in its third year, The Pitch has already supported Jennifer Rock, CEO and founder of the Skin Nerd and multi-award winning Skingredients skincare range, and Karl Swaine, Niall Horgan and Diarmuid McSweeney, founders of Gym+Coffee, an Irish-owned and thriving designed athleisure brand, to bring their businesses to the next level. 

Key dates

Applications close on Friday, October 18 at 1pm. Application online here.

The live Pitch event is on Monday, November 11 in Dublin City Hall.

What are you waiting for?

Apply today or share this with someone who needs to know!

Don’t just dream it, PITCH it!

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