CEO Corner: Season 4, Episode 2
“It’s very easy to compete on price, and it’s a race to the bottom. Or you could try and get a brand and a reputation.”
What does it take to build a premium supercar business from a rented yard, and to keep it growing when social media does most of the selling?
In this episode of CEO Corner, Nadia Adan, Founder and Dealer Principal of Ashford Motors, joins Sarah McGrath for a candid conversation about risk, reputation and the hard work behind one of Ireland’s best-known supercar dealerships.
From arriving in Ireland with nothing to selling Lamborghini’s and Range Rovers from a base in Wicklow, and opening a second site, Nadia shares how she built Ashford Motors on cash flow discipline, big early bets and content people actually want to watch.
This is an honest discussion about entrepreneurship, brand building and the realities of growing a business from the ground up.
Nadia shares insights on:
- why social media does the selling before a customer ever walks in, and how Nadia tracks it
- the blue Lamborghini that went viral, and the 30 million views that came with it
- what a finance background teaches you about cash flow, margins and risk
- how consignment and sale or return can help a business grow beyond its own available capital
- why building a strong brand and reputation matters more than competing on price
- handling trolls, being open about the hard days, and learning to let go of doing everything herself
An essential conversation for founders, business owners and anyone building something from nothing.
About Nadia Adan
Nadia Adan is the Founder and Dealer Principal of Ashford Motors, an award-winning Irish motor dealership built on ambition, innovation and a passion for the motor industry.
Since establishing the business in 2020, Nadia has built a recognisable brand in the Irish motor industry. In 2024, she opened a bespoke dealership in Ashford, Co. Wicklow, establishing what has become the Garden County’s premier dealership. In 2026, she entered an exciting new chapter, expanding from a single-site operation to a multi-site business with the opening of a second dealership, broadening the choice and experience available to customers.
Ashford Motors has received industry recognition through the SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards 2026 and the Cars Ireland Awards, alongside becoming a Guaranteed Irish member, proudly championing Irish business.
Beyond business, Nadia is passionate about giving back, supporting charitable causes including BUMBLEance and Men’s Aid through fundraising initiatives. Her journey reflects entrepreneurship, resilience and a commitment to building an ambitious Irish business with purpose.
Listen on:
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/1yhqQhGFxtGWtE4acqVUaS?si=1e706f3a7ed44c54
Thank you for being a loyal listener, and we hope you find our interview with Nadia Adan useful. If you enjoy the episode, please consider sharing it with your network and leaving a review. Your support means the world to us.
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