In this episode of The Founder CEO, I interviewed Oisin Hanrahan, co-founder and CEO of Keychain, about the journey from being a founder to becoming a public company CEO. Oisin shared personal stories and insights about how his upbringing and professional experiences shaped his leadership style and approach to business.

Oisin's entrepreneurial path began in Dublin, where his exposure to business started early through his father's construction supply company. That early exposure gave him a deep understanding of hard work and responsibility, sparking his desire to make things happen. His drive led him to launch a real estate development business in Budapest and, later, Handy—a home services platform that grew into a multi-million-dollar company and was acquired by Angie.

One key point Oisin emphasized during our conversation was the distinct difference between being a founder and a CEO. As a founder, the focus is on turning an idea into reality, often by overcoming challenges with creativity and persistence. The CEO's role, however, is to sustain that momentum, scaling the business and ensuring its long-term growth. Oisin's experience includes both roles, and he explained how each requires a different skill set and mindset. As the founder of Handy, he was responsible for bringing the idea to life. As CEO, he had to focus on creating structure, aligning the company with its goals, and leading it through growth, ultimately guiding it through its acquisition by Angie, where he later served as CEO.

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