My first million: Padraig O'Ceidigh of Aer Arann

Padraig O'Ceidigh, founder and MD of Aer Arann, was a schoolteacher before he remortgaged his house to buy the local airline. It is now the fastest-growing regional airline in Europe. He shares the secrets of his success with MoneyWeek.

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So O'Ceidigh remortgaged his house, and set about developing the airline from a small island-hopper serving the Aran islands off the Irish west coast to one of Europe's fastest-growing regional airlines. From languishing in the doldrums, the airline has made a profit every year since 1994, with a turnover in excess of e95m last year.

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Jody Clarke

Jody studied at the University of Limerick and was a senior writer for MoneyWeek. Jody is experienced in interviewing, for example digging into the lives of an ex-M15 agent and quirky business owners who have made millions. Jody’s other areas of expertise include advice on funds, stocks and house prices.