‘We have focused on ensuring we have a lifestyle we love and that bigger isn’t always better’

Steve Flynn, with his twin brother Dave, runs The Happy Pear vegan cafes and cookery school as well as writing cookbooks and a podcast, which is now in its second season.  

What’s the most important thing about money your careers as businessmen have taught you?

A few years ago we borrowed a large sum of money to grow our business and, as the business grew, so did our responsibilities and with that we found we were more stressed, had less time with our family and felt disconnected from our business. Since then we have focused on ensuring we have a lifestyle that we love and that bigger isn’t always better, so we have focused on doing what we do better rather than focusing on growth.

What has the coronavirus crisis taught you about money?

We couldn’t travel or socialise in the way we did previously so it focused us on the more simple things in life like family meals and a swim in the sea.

What is the most expensive place you’ve ever visited?

We were invited to a black tie dinner with Prince Charles in a Scottish castle, which was quite a surreal and fun experience. I arrived in shorts and was told I couldn’t meet royalty in shorts, so had to run to buy pants.

What’s the best advice you ever got about money?

I’ve always loved an analogy that Judy Wicks told me. Money is like manure: if you pile it high, it can start to smell like sh*t but if you spread it out among the community it can help many things grow.

Apart from property, what’s the most expensive thing you have ever bought?

I bought a fancy organic natural mattress for €2,000 recently. I thought I was being ridiculous but I have since realised it was one of the best investments ever as it’s so comfortable. We spend almost half our lives asleep so I appreciate it almost every night.

What was your worst job?

I worked in a cocktail bar in the south of France just after giving up drinking alcohol and I found I was working in an environment where I didn’t want to be.

Are you better off than your parents?

It’s all relative and hard to compare but we love our work which, more often than not, doesn’t feel like work to us. We also feel so blessed to be able to spend a lot of time with our family and friends here in Greystones.

What was your best financial killing?

I’m not sure if killing is the right word but after 10 years of working on our online courses, last year the revenues increased by 300pc and we had over 35,000 people from 120 countries signing up. The courses help participants get healthier, so it’s a win-win.

If you won the Euromillions, what would you do with the money?

I would hate to win the Euromillions. I often reflect on Gandhi’s seven dangers to human virtue where he talked of the challenges of wealth without work; that if we become wealthy without having earned it, we often don’t appreciate it. I believe in enjoying work, working hard and earning a livelihood that I can be proud of.

If you could design your own euro note, what image would you put on it?

Probably some nice pictures of nature. It might remind us how important our relationship with nature is and how we need to reconnect and nurture more biodiversity and sustainability.

What was the last thing you bought online?

Some Ethereum cryptocurrency.

Would you buy property now?

Dave has just bought a new home here in Greystones.

Do you ever haggle?

Only when I’m in countries where  haggling is part of the culture. Or when someone is trying to rip me off.

What three things would you not be able to do without if you were tightening your belt?

Time with friends and family, good food and nice chocolate.

Sunday Indo Business