Business Club Spotlight Series: Koncept Windows & Doors

Through the Looking Glass with Declan - Shedding Light on Koncept Windows & Doors

For the next blog in our Business Club Spotlight Series, we caught up with the newest member of the Naas Racecourse Business Club. We're joined by Declan Carroll, one of the duo from Koncept Windows & Doors who is an avid fan of racing being an owner and also a podcast host!

1.     Tell us about Koncept Windows & Doors and what you have to offer? 

I set up Koncept with my colleague Ben at the beginning of the year. We're a window and door company with a wealth of knowledge and over 15 years of experience which allows us to offer bespoke solutions to our clients. We have a showroom in Fonthill Business Park in Clondalkin that showcases our range of products that we offer which include but are not limited to aluclad, aluminium, pvc and composite doors. We specialise in large sliding doors and screens which are spec'd on a lot of high-end new builds but we also focus of full house replacement. There are very few companies that can offer as much as we can but once you have the right products and the right installation crews you can tackle both sides of the industry. Anyone interested in replacing their windows or planning a new build can contact us on 01564 4841 or sales@konceptwindows.ie 

2.      What sets Koncept Windows & Doors apart from other companies in the industry?

We spend a lot of time choosing the right products so that we are confident that our customers are always going to be happy with what we put into their homes, but what's most important to us is the service we offer and how we treat our clients. We've found over the years that when issues arise it's how you deal with them that separates you from your competitors and we pride ourselves in how we deal with after-sales.

3.      Do you have any plans or hopes for Koncept Windows & Doors?

Well I suppose we want to take over the world haha! We'd like to grow at a steady rate and do things right. Creating jobs and training people well enough so that they might start their own company someday is a personal goal of mine but as a company, we want to be known for our product, how good it is, and most importantly how we treat our customers.

4.      What advice would you give to someone starting their own business?

Be patient and be brave but I think you should become your own accountant even if you have an accountant. If you've decided to start something then you're obviously good at what you do so that side will look after itself so stay on top of your accounts and learn as you go. The most important thing is to enjoy it.

5.      Would you encourage other businesses to consider joining the Naas Racecourse Business Club based on your experience?

Absolutely. It's brilliant value, gives you a great opportunity to network with other businesses that are part of the club as well as inviting your own guests, all while enjoying a day at the races. We loved presenting connections of recent winner Marty The Party with their trophy and picking best turned out. I genuinely believe Naas is the best racecourse in the country. 

6.      You’re an avid racing supporter, how did racing peak your interest?

I would have been in the Phoenix Park in my pram so I kind of had no choice. My Granda would have gone racing every day it was on once he retired. I've just always enjoyed watching racing particularly on a cold winter morning at the track. I love the fact it can get you out of the house on your own or with your family and you're guaranteed to have a great day and meet great people. It's not expensive to go racing in Ireland so it's ideal for a family day out. 

7.      What is your most memorable day of racing?

It would probably be the day Hurricane Fly won his last Morgiana at Punchestown. He'd been written off having been beaten twice by Jezki in the spring but he rolled back the years and reversed the form that day. I'll never forget the rush of people back to the parade ring to welcome him back in.

8.      Do you have a favourite racemeeting at Naas Racecourse?

It's probably the Opera Hat meeting in February. Usually, a meeting that produces some Cheltenham winners. Trainers run good horses at Naas on the flat and over jumps so it's always worthwhile to take note of the form. 

9.      You also run a successful new podcast Take A Pull Podcast, can you tell us a bit more about that?

I had met Andy Cummins on another podcast called Under Starters Orders which covered the best of British and Irish racing. We had noticed that people were beginning to look forward to when we'd give a tip in a low grade handicaps in Ireland at the end of the show so we banged our heads together and came up with TAP.  The idea is to cover as many full cards in Ireland as possible, particularly the midweek meetings with low grade handicaps and get people interested and talking about these races as well as understanding them better. To my knowledge, there's no other podcast that's focused solely on promoting Irish Racing and the feedback has blown us away. We've listeners from all over Britain and Ireland and even one from America who didn't know jump racing existed before discovering the podcast. 

10.  Do you have any horses in training or involved in any syndicate?

I'm involved in How's Your Father Syndicate and own Ceanndána trained locally by Ross O'Sullivan. It was always a dream to own a horse and had hoped we might get lucky once, but he's won 3 times so far. He's brought us all around the country and I was sent a great video of myself and my son running around the parade ring celebrating in Killarney which is so special to have. He was recommended to me by Maria Kelly, and she was absolutely spot on, I can't thank her enough. We're living the dream with him and he truly is the horse of a lifetime 

The team at Naas Racecourse wish all at Koncept Windows & Doors continued success. To find out more about them visit - www.konceptwindows.ie 

To find out more or get involved in the Naas Racecourse Business Club visit naasracecourse.com/naas-racecourse-business-club.