Tour America founder tells start-up owners to hold on to equity

Entrepreneurs should avoid giving away shares in their new business unless they absolutely have to, according to the chief executive of the successful travel business Tour America.

Mary McKenna, who survived a near-fatal car accident in 2004 and who now employs just under 50 staff in Dublin and Cork, said giving away equity in the firm she founded 23 years ago was her biggest business regret.

“When I’m mentoring entrepreneurs now, I always ...