Category Archives: Hot Seat 2012

Sinead Buckley-Quinn, Serial Entrepreneur

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Having 3 businesses keeps Wicklow Town based Sinead busy; iBagsIt.com is an on-line retail shop offering Fashion and Travel items not easily found on the High Street. Local Zone.ie takes old run down shops on the Main Street, refurbishes the façade and then displays other businesses in the window – “Putting a Face on a Space.” CFL Events grew out of Corporate Fairways which Sinead ran for 18 years, now focused on PR, Marketing and Event Management.

What led you to starting your business?
Local Zone: Realising that there were few opportunities for small businesses and artisan producers to promote their business on Main Street apart from tying into a long lease through a premises. This initiative gives businesses the presence on Main Street without all the hassles.

After 17 very successful years organising Corporate and Charity Golf Events here in Ireland and abroad I experienced, as many did, the effects of the downturn in the economy. As my clients were mainly from the banking sector my business was hit pretty badly overnight as many senior managers and decision makers could no longer be seen on the golf course flittering away their marketing budgets! Luckily in 2009 I had already set up another business to satisfy my love of everything quirky and new with iBagsIt.com Holding onto the tail of that Tiger was fun and I enjoyed setting up the business and it continues to grow as I spot new trends and stock these on the website. Because of the way it started – as a second small business, almost by accident, I was never too worried until it became the breadwinner! But it took the pressure off in the early days. Maybe that is the way to go – have a few businesses on the go!

I continue to operate Corporate Fairways under CFL Events as I now include PR & Marketing as well as Event Management to the repertoire undertaking many Awards Ceremonies, Artisan Food & Craft Events and Restaurant re-branding.

I have always been an ideas person – I get these crazy ideas pretty often and I have had many opportunities to act on them! I have had a few other businesses over the years. Last summer I came up with the idea of Local Zone; a simple yet effective initiative offering local businesses the opportunity to showcase their products or services on Main Streets, while breathing life into vacant shops in Towns and encouraging community spirit that offers economic and social benefits to the area. I take these vacant shops and re-energise them by painting them in vibrant colours, using their windows to display products from various businesses. The shops will remain closed but their windows will tell the story! These shops are still on the market to let by the landlord but meanwhile I am giving them a “Face on a Space!” I have achieved our objective and have turned over 3 shops in Wicklow Town and 2 in Drogheda, with a happy a Landlord as a result of this initiative! And a Happy Town!

I have in place a Local Zone Ambassador Programme where by this can be replicated in other towns using local people to become Local Zone Ambassadors and run their own Local Zone shops in their towns. It is a good business for the right person with contacts and an eye for display!

How did you raise the start-up funds you needed?
CFL Events: In 1994 £1,000 was all I had to get a brochure with full photos off the ground to promote the business…we had no Facebook, Twitter or eZines back in the good old days! Savings! I was working at Hewlett Packard at the time so double jobbed until it was in full flight!
iBagsIt: In 2009, €2,000 was for the website and stock. Funded by the existing business in CFL Events.
Local Zone: In 2011, €700. Very little was used to set up Local Zone – hard work, elbow grease and good negotiation skills were all I needed!

What was the most significant lesson you learned in starting your business?
Trust your instinct and also never put all your eggs in one basket, don’t rely on customers to always be in business, some close.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read, business or non-business?
I have so many business reference books on the shelves that I dip in and out of all the time. But when I was a young teenager I read a book by Barbara Taylor Bradford called A Woman of Substance and I loved it, the character was terrific in business. The sequel To Hold the Dream was equally good. Both were star movies.

Who is the entrepreneur you admire the most?
Norah Casey. I know her personally and professionally – and I think she is empowering, witty and a very generous person with her time, advice and energy!

 

 

 

What have been the biggest challenges in your business to date?
Multi-tasking ! With 3 businesses and family it always takes a lot of planning….but that’s what I like best – to plan!

What has been the proudest moment in your business so far?
When the RTE’s Local Heroes asked me to set up a Local Zone in Drogheda as part of the Local Heroes series last Autumn and being filmed as part of the Town Rejuvenation.

What was the best piece of business advice you ever got?
Running a business should never be all about the money!

Can you recommend a good time management technique for other entrepreneurs out there?
One hour of worrying during the day (work or personal worry, we all have it at the moment) – just one hour, no more! And the usual suspects….one hour of catching up on emails and one hour or PR and Marketing….the rest is as you please and what is necessary!

What magazine do you never miss each month?
Quite a lot actually – as I have to check (and buy) if my clients were covered with the PR I do for them! Makes it both interesting and expensive!

What is your favourite film?
Sliding Doors!

What is your favourite ad?
Mostly for the song!

This video was created to support Wicklow in the entry of the 2010 Livcom awards in Chicago, USA. Wicklow was awarded second place and a Gold award as being the most livable community in the world. Project submission & management: Grainne McLoughlin.

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business?
Running a business isn’t all about the money. And it shouldn’t be. As an entrepreneur, you should be passionate about what you do, be motivated to help others, and have a desire to make the world a better place.

What do you like to do when you’re not running your business?
Playing golf.
Walking.
Travelling.
Driving fast cars.
Voluntary Leader of Wicklow Guides.
Enjoying family & friends.

Have you found the self-employed formula for a work/life balance?
Prioritise – both at home and at work and then over all. Sometimes it doesn’t always work but you can…but try!

What’s your website?
http://ibagsit.com/

http://www.localzone.ie/

Do you have a Facebook page?

https://www.facebook.com/CFLEvents

https://www.facebook.com/iBagsIt

https://www.facebook.com/localzone

Are you on Twitter?
On the list of things to do!

How has Wicklow CEB helped you and/or your business?
I run the Network of Entrepreneurial Women for Wicklow CEB for the last few years on contract and this has helped me through networking with other women in the County – we all need support especially when operating on our own and this is a great way to get that.

If you could start up all over again, would you do anything differently?
No – not a thing! Maybe live in a sunnier climate!!

 

Sinead is one of the primary organisers of Christmas at Kilruddery, the Victorian Christmas Artisan Fair in Wicklow Town at the Assembly Hall in Bachelors Walk, and the 12 Days of Christmas in Bray this year. Hop on down and take a peek!

Christmas at Killruddery – 2 weekends
November 23/24/25
November 30/December 1/2
TIMES: Fri 3-8pm, Sat 10-6pm, Sun 10-6pm

Christmas Artisan Fair in Wicklow Town – at the Assembly Hall – 3 weekends
December 7/8/9
December 14/15/16
December 21/22/23
TIMES: Fri 3-8pm, Sat 10-6pm, Sun 11-6pm

12 Days of Christmas in Bray – 4 weekends
November 30/December 1/2
December 7/8/9
December 14/15/16
December 21/22/23

Emma Hand, Aromacare

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Aromacare is run by Emma Hand and is located in Bray. Emma offers a wide range of massage treatments and takes the holistic approach to treating a person. Each treatment is tailored specifically towards the client’s needs. Aromacare offers treatments such as Swedish massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Hot Stone massage, Indian Head massage, Pregnancy massage, Deep tissue massage and Facial pamper packages using hand made organic cleansers, toners, moisturisers, scrubs and masks.

What led you to starting your business?
I always loved health and wellbeing. 9 years ago I studied Swedish massage and Reflexology in Galway after which I worked in Spirit One Spa in the Radisson for 2 years. I love exercise and sport and have always had an interest in anatomy and physiology. This led me to further my studies in UCD where I went on to complete a degree in Physiotherapy. I believe in the holistic approach to treating a person which takes into account a person’s whole being including the physical symptoms, psychology, environment and nutrition and the effects, positive and negative, that these can have on the body as a whole. Starting my own business gave me the ideal opportunity to incorporate everything I’ve learnt over the years into my practice and spend my life working in a field which I love. I am a trainee counsellor/psychotherapist and hope to eventually also incorporate this into my business.

How did you raise the start-up funds you needed?
Before starting my business I was unemployed for a year during which time I did a Start Your Own Business course with the Enterprise Board. When I started my business I was entitled to Back to Work Enterprise Allowance from the Department of Social Protection and some grants to help me purchase goods and services to help me start up the business.

What was the most significant lesson you learned in starting your business?
Look after your clients and the business will look after itself.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read, business or non-business?
I hate to say it, but business bores me to death. I didn’t even buy the business book in school in Transition Year when we had a compulsory module in it. I pretended to forget it every day!  I love reading philosophy or psychology books. They are much more inspirational!

Who is the entrepreneur you admire the most?
Rachel Lee. She’s a yoga teacher who works in various different venues throughout Wicklow including the Navara Centre. She loves yoga and has decided to spend her life teaching it. You only live once and I admire people who decide to spend their lives doing something they are passionate about.

What have been the biggest challenges in your business to date?
I’m not very patient when it comes to the technical side of the business and I hate maths, so the accounts, website construction and maintenance etc. would be areas I avoid like the plague. I know lots of entrepreneurs do these things themselves, but I decided to pay someone else to do them. This gives me more time to spend on the parts of the business I enjoy which are the hands-on work obviously, and the marketing.

What has been the proudest moment in your business so far?
Probably the launch I held when I started the business. There was a good turn out and as a result I was fully booked up for my first week in business. This was a real high to actually see the business functioning after all the preparation time when there’s nothing tangible to be seen for your efforts.

What was the best piece of business advice you ever got?
‘Madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.’ Einstein.
If something isn’t working, take a different approach.

Can you recommend a good time management technique for other entrepreneurs out there?
I’m generally not very good at time management. If I was to say anything, I’d say try to book your clients in on the same day or part of the day so you free up blocks of time for other parts of your work or leisure!

What magazine do you never miss each month?
Eisteach. It’s not a monthly magazine, it’s a quarterly journal of counselling and psychotherapy.

What is your favourite film?
Hmmm, that’s a very hard one. ‘Tree of Life’ is a very beautiful film, but it’s quite heavy. I also love comedy, horror, dramas-anything highly charged or emotive I suppose.

What is your favourite ad?
I haven’t watched TV in about 6 months!

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business?
If you love what you do, go for it! There’s nothing more enjoyable or liberating than being your own boss and being able to follow up and put into action your ideas and dreams.

What do you like to do when you’re not running your business?
Is there a word limit on this one? I love the outdoors and outdoor sports, especially running, climbing, hiking, mountain biking… I’m always doing some course or other, usually in the massage or counselling/psychotherapy line. I love travelling and experiencing different cultures and meeting new people.

Have you found the self-employed formula for a work/life balance?
I work to live. When I’m working I put heart and soul into it and I love my work. But life isn’t a dress rehearsal, so once I’m confident that the business is ticking over, I spend as much time as possible enjoying life!

What’s your website?
http://www.aromacaremassage.ie/

Do you have a Facebook page?
Facebook.com/Aromacare

Are you on Twitter?
I’m not on Twitter!

How has Wicklow CEB helped you and/or your business?
I did a Start Your Own Business course with Wicklow CEB which was very helpful. I arranged a one-to-one business advice meeting with a member of staff to discuss my business specifically. I also attended a seminar regarding the technical aspects of the business. I participated in the CEB Christmas Fairs in the Wicklow area which was a brilliant way of marketing my business as well as selling my products directly.

If you could start up all over again, would you do anything differently?
No! :)

Here is Emma’s stall at the Marley Park Farmer’s Market where she sells some of her personally developed products – but her studio is in Bray!  Emma can even make up a customised blend of aromatherapy products to suit individual skin conditions.

 

 

In addition to all of the personal treatments, Emma and Aromacare offer a wide range of handmade Aromatherapy body products including; cleansers, toners, moisturisers, massage oils, bath oils etc.  For more details see aromacaremassage.ie or contact Emma at emmahand1 [at] gmail.com or on 087 6849235.

Christy O’Rourke, Crime Control

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Crime Control is a wholly Irish owned company founded in 1991, whose growth and expansion within the Security Industry exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit which first launched the company in 1991. Crime Control grew and evolved through commitment, ethos, standard of service, technology, research and development but most importantly – people. Today, Crime Control is a security company with operations in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Wexford employing over 75 people. Christy O’Rourke is the captain of the Crime Control ship and took a spin in the Enterprise Hot Seat for our October slot. Thank you Christy.

What led you to starting your business?
I always wanted the freedom to make my own decisions and to control the direction my life was taking. When you work for someone else you don’t have total control over the direction of your life.

How did you raise the start-up funds you needed?
When I left the Irish Aer Corp I was given a lump sum gratuity. I had also saved some money from the time I spent in the Lebanon 6 months before I left the Aer Corp. One of the best things I did at start-up was to get a loan from the bank. With this loan I bought a van. Buying the van this way meant I was able to claim the VAT back in one lump sum. This lump sum actually paid for the van repayments for the first 6/7 months!

What was the most significant lesson you learned in starting your business?
ALWAYS put things in writing. Confirm everything via email. Verbal conversations can be misinterpreted differently by everyone. If there are 5 people in a meeting for instance, each person will walk away with a different “take” on the meeting. However, if you follow up the meeting with an email then it’s YOUR version of that meeting that takes precedent.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read, business or non-business?
“If it was easy everyone would be doing it,” and “It’s not rocket science.” I don’t know if there are 2 books of that name but if there isn’t there should be! Running a successful, sustainable business is hard work however you should never try to make it complicated, a lot of it is common sense, it’s a pity common sense is not more commonly used.

Who is the entrepreneur you admire the most?

I think Michael O’Leary had the right idea however he has lost his way. If you want to tell a customer to fe*k off at least you can be polite about it!

 

 

What have been the biggest challenges in your business to date?
Trying to keep the personal touch with my clients as our business grew. It’s very easy to lose touch with your customers. You should be able to stop any of your customers as they walk down the street and ask them how their kids are etc.

What has been the proudest moment in your business so far?
Succeeding in business when everyone said I couldn’t do it and surviving two (or is that three?) recessions in the process.

What was the best piece of business advice you ever got?
Never say “I don’t have the time.” Time is the one thing everyone has the same amount of, you have the same amount of time per day as Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg. You may say that they have lots of people to delegate to however they still had to get to that point and they still have to monitor what is been done on their behalf.

I may have finessed the above quote a little bit however I am sure that Blaise won’t mind.

Can you recommend a good time management technique for other entrepreneurs out there?
It may not seem like time management at first glance however if you start the day with the hardest job you have to do the rest of the day gets easier and your mind is free to get other things done.

What magazine do you never miss each month?
I don’t read magazines…

What is your favourite film?
Top Gun, I know I am showing my age now but it’s a film that has everything, it’s a love story, it has great music and the good guys kick the bad guys’ ass, kind of what Crime Control does, but without the music!!!

 

What is your favourite ad?
The Specsavers ads are very funny and quite effective. I especially liked a photograph I saw on the internet a few years ago when a bus crashed into a Luas, the add on the side of the bus read “should have gone to Specsavers”, I am still not sure if that was a real add or if it was photo shopped but it was a great ad for Specsavers.

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business?
I have always thought it was stupid of successful entrepreneurs (especially TV entrepreneur’s, yes you know who you are!), to say “Don’t take no for an answer.” That’s easy for a successful business person to say but what if you have a really bad idea or if you are going about it the wrong way?! For all the people that were turned down by 20 publishing houses or turned away by 15 banks, most of them went on to fail because their idea was ill-thought. You will ALWAYS get the exception but you should NEVER base your business idea on exceptions, that’s like betting on the lottery, someone has to win it but the chances are it won’t be you. Now that’s not me being pessimistic, it’s being realistic. The best advice I could give is this: Adapt your idea to fit the market. There is no point offering a service or making a product if people don’t want it, or if you put so much time & money into it that only a select few can afford it.

What do you like to do when you’re not running your business?
I like to spend time with my children and my partner. I spent too many years not doing that and I think that sometimes you can get lost in work and lose sight of the important things in life. That being said, I am a workaholic so I have no significant hobbies and even when I am with my family I am always thinking of work ideas or fitting some work into our leisure activities. The one thing I will say is that you need 2 weeks holiday per year, 2 weeks were you can de-stress and recharge your batteries. There is no point in me saying “Don’t contact the business,” because that’s not practical, but you should keep your contact with work to a minimum.

Have you found the self-employed formula for a work/life balance?
When my partner, Kathy, tells me to stop working and give her some attention I do exactly that. That seems to work, however I do try and mix pleasure with work when I can get away with it (see Q. 14)!

What’s your website?
http://www.crimecontrol.ie/ and http://www.celticinvestigations.ie/

Do you have a Facebook page?
Facebook.com/CrimecontrolCelcicinvestigations

Are you on Twitter?
@CelticChristy

How has Wicklow CEB helped you and/or your business?
I have done a number of courses and seminars organised and part funded by Wicklow County Enterprise Board and I have found them to be very informative and proactive. They have formulated their courses & seminars to suit the economic circumstances. Their mentoring and advice service is second to none.

If you could start up all over again, would you do anything differently?
Very little actually, don’t get me wrong we have made mistakes and there are a number of things that we could have done differently or better, but I believe that you have to make mistakes in order to learn. The mistakes we have made have helped us to become the successful company that we are now, Certified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, Licenced by the Private Security Authority & Corporate Members of the Security Institute.

Thank you again Christy for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. It’s great to hear what life is really like for someone who started up over 20 years ago and has survived the ups & downs in the economy.  The services available include:

Security Services
Static & Mobile Security Officers
Keyholding & Alarm Response
Opening & Closing of Business Premises
Contract Cleaning

Private Investigation Services
Investigation of false or exaggerated Insurance claims
Serving Court Papers
Tracing persons
Investigating internal company theft

Jenny Kelly Pottery

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Jenny Kelly started creating beautiful eye catching pottery under her own name in late 2010.  Since then her pieces have become well known in the Irish Craft Industry and she continues to develop new pieces and styles to bring to the market.  Keep an eye out for Jenny Kelly Pottery in your local craft store – if she isn’t there now, it’s only a matter of time…  Our thanks to Jenny for telling us more about her business at this busy time – she is only recently married! Congratulations Jenny!

What led you to starting your business?
I started out doing pottery when I was 15. I went to do an apprenticeship with a local potter and trained with him for 3 years, after that I was accepted into the ThomasTown pottery skills course where I learned more about throwing, glazing and designing. From there I worked for various different potters around Ireland and abroad. Working for others was great and I learned so much from each place but I really wanted to develop my own range and put my own stamp on things. I had been travelling for 2 years and when I returned home to Ireland I decided to take the plunge and start up on my own in September 2010. People said I was mad to start it in a recession but my view on this is that the only way is up.

How did you raise the start-up funds you needed?
I have built up a good collection of tools and equipment over the years from working in the industry so I just built on this and have tried to keep my costs low by having my workshop next to my house. My partner Martin has given me great encouragement and has been a big support financially.

What was the most significant lesson you learned in starting your business?
You have to be nice but be firm. You will make mistakes but always learn from these.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read, business or non-business?
The Secret

Who is the entrepreneur you admire the most?
When starting out in my pottery career I trained with a local potter called Brian Keogh, he has since changed career direction but I learned a lot from him and he inspired me to learn more.

What have been the biggest challenges in your business to date?
I am a Potter by trade and love nothing more than sitting at the wheel and making.The thing I found and still find difficult is the business end of things, it’s like learning a whole new job and something I would have dealt with in a small way working for other people but it’s very different when you go out on your own.

What has been the proudest moment in your business so far?
I’ve had a couple but I think it’s when customers comment on how much they like my work, this makes me smile every time to know that this is my creation from start to finish that they are admiring, this makes me very proud.

What was the best piece of business advice you ever got?
Always continue to improve your skills in every area.

Can you recommend a good time management technique for other entrepreneurs out there?
Keep a book and log in it every day the things you expect to get done that day or things that have to get done. When it’s just you to think of everything there’s always something forgotten so this helps to keep track.

What magazine do you never miss each month?
National Geographic – the Travel edition

What is your favourite film?
As Good As It Gets

What is your favourite ad?
Coke’s Christmas ad with the trucks!

 

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business?
Make sure it’s something you really want to do and feel passionate about, way up all the pros and cons. Get to know your customers and make sure you give them the utmost respect.

What do you like to do when you’re not running your business?
I love going for walks with my 2 dogs in the countryside. Watching football, travelling and seeing new cultures and countries.

Have you found the self-employed formula for a work/life balance?
I found in the first year of business I was trying to do everything and putting in all the hours under the sun but I’ve reached a point where I just say to myself that it can be done tomorrow and try not to worry about it, there is always things needed to be done so I try not to stress.

What’s your website?
JennyKellyPottery.ie - it’s down at the moment but a work in progress!

Do you have a Facebook page?
Facebook.com/JKPottery

Are you on Twitter?
Twitter.com/IrishPottery

How has Wicklow CEB helped you and/or your business?
Last year for Showcase 2011 I had a CEB stand in the Enterprise Area which was helped with part funding.

If you could start up all over again, would you do anything differently?
I wouldn’t do a whole lot differently.

 

Jenny Kelly’s Pottery Studio is located in Brittas Bay in Co. Wicklow. Jenny not only creates beautiful pieces for retail, but also teaches classes for adults and children in how to make pottery!

Cillían Johnston Furniture

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Cillían & Lisa Johnston are a husband and wife team who run their award winning business from the beautiful location of Roundwood, Co. Wicklow. A bespoke furniture manufacturer for over 20 years, Cillían has recently developed a diverse range of mirrors and lamps – more info on the “Aran Beag” lamps at the end of this blog post! Many thanks to both Lisa and Cillían for taking the time to talk to us in this month’s Enterprise Hot Seat.

 

What led you to starting your business?

Cillían: The wife, a boss going bust & a new Mortgage

How did you raise the start-up funds you needed?
Cillían: I was really lucky, I had been collecting tools over the years and somebody I knew was willing to rent me a workbench so I didn’t have to raise any money immediately. When I went looking for capital a year later to buy machinery and rent my own premises my bank balance looked like it was heading in the right direction, so the bank were happy to talk. Oddly enough they’ve been really good to us in the high and low times.

What was the most significant lesson you learned in starting your business?
Cillían: Just because the “experts” say you should do something doesn’t mean you should. Trust your gut. We got advice from a mentor to invest in a large workshop. We didn’t think the business was growing that fast even though it looked it on paper. So we decided to catch our breath and manage with what we had and we looked for something realistic that would grow within with us in our own time frame. When the recession came I was really relieved that we weren’t so over exposed.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read, business or non-business?
Cillían: How to build your own boat. I read for pleasure, I need to get away from work.
Lisa: The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success – Deepak Chopra. This book isn’t a book about business, but it’s really good for keeping your head and gives you some perspective. If I get a bit stressed I always go back to it.

Who is the entrepreneur you admire the most?
Cillían: That’s easy, Michael O’Leary, he’s just got balls.
Lisa: Never liked him before but recently I’ve begun to admire Bill Cullen, for him it’s simple as he just loves working and I admire him for that honesty…Cillían can’t believe I gave that answer, he wants it to be known that he is distancing himself from this.

What have been the biggest challenges in your business to date?
Cillían: Working with Lisa without throttling her…I’m getting better or maybe she is!
Lisa: Hmmm! Working with Cill…! No, there are challenges every day, big & small ones. Momentum is the challenge; we have weeks where we’re really on top and a lot of stuff gets done and then weeks that are absolute duds. Our real challenge is taking time out.

What has been the proudest moment in your business so far?
Both: By far winning the Best New Product at Showcase Ireland this year. To be awarded something by your peers really validates what you’re doing and is a great encouragement to work further with it.

What was the best piece of business advice you ever got?
Cillían: Still waiting for that one.

Can you recommend a good time management technique for other entrepreneurs out there?
Cillían: Not time management one, just a list on Sunday evening, it sets me right for the week.
Lisa: Get up early, there’s nobody emailing you at 5.00am. It’s the only peaceful time to think clearly.

What magazine do you never miss each month?
Cillían: I don’t read magazines.
Lisa: Me neither. We read stuff online. I get an odd girlie one if I’m in the mood for bubble gum reading though.

What is your favourite film?
Cillían: Lisa says I like romantic comedies I’m not sure I would agree… I’d like to watch Where Eagles Dare but Lisa makes a lot of noise when it comes on, it’s very distracting…
Lisa: Cillian makes noises at everything I watch (no joke). This will sound like I have crush on Jack Lemmon, but I love Some Like it Hot, Avanti and The Odd Couple. They’re just pure silliness!

What is your favourite ad?
Cillían: It’s still the best, the Cadbury Gorilla!
Lisa: The Irish Pride bread ad on the radio is kind of good in a weird way. It sounds a bit creepy at the beginning but by the end when all the voices come together I do feel like having a slice of toast. That’s good advertising if it swings you over.

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business?
Cillían: Marry someone who can do half your work for you, they’re nearly always willing… a gin usually works!
Lisa: I should have listened to my father and married a rich farmer with a delicate heart.

What do you like to do when you’re not running your business?
Cillían: Kayaking
Lisa: Running

Have you found the self-employed formula for a work/life balance?
Cillían: Still working on that one, we’re never switched off. But I’d have to say the best way to stop thinking about work is our children – they can catch you in a moment and thankfully we can put everything down to be with them.

What’s your website?
http://www.cillianjohnston.com/default.asp

Do you have a Facebook page?
Please give it a like! http://www.facebook.com/cillianjohnston

Are you on Twitter?

Oh big sin…no!

How has Wicklow CEB helped you and/or your business?
Cillían: The Wicklow CEB have been really supportive, they brought us to Showcase under the enterprise stand. We’ve attended a lot of workshops lately which have been really helpful. and they’re always there to talk to. They’re very much behind us in where we want to go with our products.

If you could start up all over again, would you do anything differently?
Lisa: There are lots of things we could have done differently, I think along the way the results would have been much the same. We’re the type of people who can only do what we’re comfortable with and ready to do. It has to be right for us at the time wither it’s a good decision or not.

 

“Aran Beag” (Little Aran) is the name of a new range of wood crafted products from the Cillían Johnston Furniture company. Cillían has incorporated a soft woollen knitted sleeve into each design; a modern contemporary use of an ancient craft to warm today’s home. These lamps are crafted from Irish Oak felled in the Kilruddery Estate in County Wicklow, Ireland. The oak is naturally felled and carefully prepared with minimum processing by the time it arrives at our workshop. The knitted yarn is then carefully chosen to suit the lamp design.As in the past when Aran Cable stitch was used to identify families so too does the knitted Aran cable distinguish one lamp range from another.

Roz Kelly, The Wicklow Way

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The Wicklow Way is a website business offering all you need to know about Wicklow. It is not only making waves with Irish web-users but is also causing quite a stir over in America and the UK. The website http://thewicklowway.ie/ was first launched by Roz Kelly in 2005. Now the site offers a wealth of information on all the towns and villages, places to go, bus times, cinema listings, restaurants and the best places to go for walks in our Garden County.

What led you to starting your business?
The Wicklow Way began as a hobby website, documenting Roz’s Wicklow Walks and photos with her faithful hound, Skippy The Dog. The website naturally grew to include a business directory and event calendar and, by using her technical skills the site started to feature on Page 1 of Google for a huge variety of Wicklow related terms. At this stage it had become a viable business opportunity.

How did you raise the start-up funds you needed?
The Business has been self funded with start up costs at a minimum due to our own expertise; Roz with web technologies and online marketing; Michael with PR and Event Management Experience.

What was the most significant lesson you learned in starting your business?
Get your idea out there, don’t wait until everything is perfectly in place, get started, stay flexible and grow as you go, and use the variety of free and inexpensive medias available online and on mobile. Oh yes, and always add extra time for delays…

What’s the best book you’ve ever read, business or non-business?
Whilst an avid reader I have not really read business books preferring to read articles online, however I have always admired characters that ran their own business whether in lighthearted stories or real life. Many of my family are, or have been, entrepreneurs.

Who is the entrepreneur you admire the most?
I admire Richard Branson as he follows his instincts, is unafraid to take chances and try new things plus there is always an air of fun in everything he does.

What have been the biggest challenges in your business to date?
Educating local business to the advantages of online marketing and promotion of their business although thankfully that has become easier in the past year. Poor broadband doesnt’ help of course.

What has been the proudest moment in your business so far?
Delivering a presentation to the Failte Ireland members in Dublin last September was certainly a highlight, although we were still surprised at the lack of knowledge relating to QR codes and Apps, with people that high up in the tourism chain. Also receiving a stunning testimonial from the US Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney about the Explore Wicklow app was pretty special.

What was the best piece of business advice you ever got?
Don’t do anything until you get paid. Payments in advance are what keeps our cashflow healthy.

Can you recommend a good time management technique for other entrepreneurs out there?
Plan out every month in advance: what you hope to get done. Then, have all your contact informantion to hand, and then… Just Do It! Stop procrastinating! If you don’t know enough about one aspect of your business, pay someone who does and concentrate on your strengths.

What magazine do you never miss each month?
We don’t buy magazines at all, although we do subscribe to many technical ezines – such as emarketer.com

What is your favourite film?
Hmm, I have a soft spot for True Romance as I love the mix of grit, romance and drama:

What is your favourite ad?
Bizzarely I actually like the Cadbury’s Cream Eggs ads as they are so silly, but have made eating chocolate an entire season! Never a bad thing in my opinion!

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business?
Sign up to local CEB newsletters, and see if there are any good Enterprise Platform Programmes out there. Do research to see if your idea is already out there and if so, what will make yours unique or better. Don’t spend lots of money straight away as you can get going virtually free using online tools. The idea you started out with will most likely change by 80%. by the time you are up & running. Also, many people are nervous of networking – don’t be! Everyone is in the same boat and it gets easier every time. People want to help, especially in these difficult times.

What do you like to do when you’re not running your business?
I love to bake and grow my own veg. This year I hope to learn how to make my own dresses and homebrew infusions.

Have you found the self-employed formula for a work/life balance?
I think we are getting there. We make sure we go for a walk – preferably on the beach – daily, to invigorate our ideas, and I will work up to 11pm 7 days a week. Flexibility is key. Focus on what you’re good at, and most of all… ‘Keep Calm and Carry On!’ However, it is important to take time to visit friends & family, or just do all the niggly things about the house. A tidy environment = good work flow, I find.

What’s your website?
We have a few websites that all work together to push our clients online. These include:
thewicklowway.ie/
www.whatsonwicklow.com/
www.wicklowtourism.ie/
www.explorewicklow.ie/
www.wicklowireland.ie/
www.thewicklowway.com

Do you have a Facebook page?
Our facebook page is www.facebook.com/whatsonwicklow

Are you on Twitter?
Our twitter profile is twitter.com/whatsonwicklow

How has Wicklow CEB helped you and/or your business?
By educating Wicklow SME’s in online techniques and holding relevant seminars, Wicklow CEB has made it easier for our potential clients to understand what we do, which is to promote local business online and on mobile at an affordable price.

If you could start up all over again, would you do anything differently?
Of course there are many lessons you learn during this process however, they are all necessary as they make you wiser. So I guess not!

Roz runs her 6 websites, mobile app and local business supports from Wicklow County Campus in Rathnew. Always online, you can get in touch with her on Twitter, Facebook or mobile. Thanks to Roz, Michael & of course Skippy for taking a turn in July’s Enterprise Hot Seat!

Stephen and David Flynn, The Happy Pear

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Brothers Stephen and David Flynn are passionate about fresh, organic, locally sourced food.  From their beginnings as a fruit & veg shop in Greystones they have become a national brand in healthy eating – not to mention their the café is always busy!  Now moving into providing their products to a wider audience, The Happy Pear Flynn Family Team are always thinking about how to expand their organic empire.  We took some time with the twins to get to know them a little better.  Thanks guys for giving us an insight to The Happy Pear!

What led you to starting your business?
We wanted to start a business that we really believed in, where we could work to make a better world by setting up a place that brings people together to celebrate good, healthy, local, organic food, and that really helps nourish all the people involved in it from people who work with there, to suppliers, to customers, to the local community and the environment. In essence we wanted to start up a place that really nourished us and everyone around!

How did you raise the start-up funds you needed?
A blessed angel investor that believed in us and what we wanted to create – thank you, thank you, thank you!

What was the most significant lesson you learned in starting your business?
Both of us are pretty impetuous, so we just tend to jump into things and make loads of mistakes and keep trying until eventually they work. So I think definitely a good lesson we’ve learnt is to try to plan and think a little before jumping in!

What’s the best book you’ve ever read, business or non-business?
Small is Beautiful, Economics As If People Mattered by E. F Schumacher – written about 30 years ago and is still so relevant and wise. Ricardo Semler’s book Maverick was very refreshing. Steve Jobs biography was fascinating.

Who is the entrepreneur you admire the most?
Pat the local shoe repair man! He still charges prices like €2.50 to fix your shoes and when you ask him why he charges so little he’ll say something like, “I have enough money!” I think it’s very rare to meet anyone who has enough and it’s really refreshing to find someone so content. Richard Branson is always fascinating and what Steve Job’s managed to accomplish was quite extraordinary.

What have been the biggest challenges in your business to date?
Learning to face some of our fears in terms of dealing with people, trying to be always honest while being sensitive to others and ourselves. Learning how to maintain a healthy balance between working lots and looking after ourselves and our families.

What has been the proudest moment in your business so far?
There is no one particular day that stands out above the rest, I feel proud of the business most days especially when I see people having a good time there!

What was the best piece of business advice you ever got?
I love Einstein’s quote about an expert being someone who has explored all possible mistakes in a given field. It always inspires us to embrace mistakes and think of them as brilliant teachers and not as bad things.

Can you recommend a good time management technique for other entrepreneurs out there?
This is something we always struggle with too and are always working at improving, the balance of doing the important while attending to the urgent. We both use the calender on our phones and link them up using Google Apps so we can add things to each other’s calenders. This is helpful but it just aids with communication. We try to hold each other accountable and in focus, and try to meet with our Dad regularly who helps give us a more objective view on things.

What magazine do you never miss each month?
Neither of us really got into reading magazines but as of late I’m making an effort to read Wired magazine as I’m finding myself really interested in technology at the moment.

What is your favourite film?
It really depends on the day, some that spring to mind: Amelie, Good Will Hunting, Avatar, The Lord of the Rings, It’s a Wonderful Life. Watched The Descendants last night and it was wonderful.

What is your favourite ad?
I don’t really watch a lot of ads but the Old Spice ad that went viral a few years ago I loved, here’s a link if anyone wants to watch it:

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business?
Find something that you really believe in and love to do and get stuck in, start making mistakes, learn from them, and if you love it and commit to it you’re bound to succeed.

What do you like to do when you’re not running your business?
We both have little daughters about the same age and have such fun spending time with our little families. Both of us love to read, run, do yoga, swim in the sea, cook and generally have a good time.

Have you found the self-employed formula for a work/life balance?
Somedays we’re great at this and really enjoy both work and time off but like everyone we can get lost in work and forget to stop and look after ourselves. It’s handy that there are two of us, so when one of us senses that the other is a little uptight he’ll fire off a reminder like; relax, take it easy and try to enjoy what your doing! Another thing we try to do is to remind ourselves how insignificant we are and to try not to take things so seriously. Swimming in the sea is good one for resetting us when we lose perspective, it helps us keep our cool!

What’s your website?
http://www.thehappypear.ie/

Do you have a Facebook page?
facebook.com/TheHappyPear

Are you on Twitter?
twitter.com/thehappypear

How has Wicklow CEB helped you and/or your business?
They helped us to find a kitchen to rent for producing pesto. Their range of courses usually looks great and always look tempting – its making the time to do them.  Anytime we have contacted them they have always been very helpful.

If you could start up all over again, would you do anything differently?
Hindsight is 20:20 so its very easy to see how to get where we are a lot quicker but I think all the holes we have fallen into along the way are the bits where we have really learnt.

The Happy Pear can be found on Church Road in Greystones, where you can sit & enjoy the Flynn’s produce or take it away to enjoy at home. Advocates of healthy eating, wheatgrass and smoothies, in addition to having their own smoothie bar the Flynns also like to help people learn about nutrition.  They have healthy heart classes you can attend, or just pick up some tips from their website & blog.  David & Stephen keep bees, cater for outside functions and are exploring further products on the bakery side – freshly baked organic breads.  They never seem to sit still for long!

Bianca Divito, Divito Studios

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Bianca Divito is an Arklow based stained glass designer and conservator. Her work in glass includes glass art commissions in private homes and public spaces, as well as conservation of medieval church glass. Her latest innovation in glass art is the production of bespoke glass ornaments and panels for garden decoration, which led the Royal Horticultural Society to invite Bianca to exhibit at the renowned Chelsea Flower Show this month. Many thanks to Bianca for taking the time out to speak to us when she is so busy getting ready to head over to England. We wish Bianca the very best of luck at the 2012 Chelsea Flower Show!

 

What led you to starting your business?
I have always had a passion for glass design and creation and doing anything other than was not an option. I identified a gap in the market for expert stained glass conservation / contemporary glass art and decided to invest all my energies into setting up my own art based business.

How did you raise the start-up funds you needed?
Personal savings, a business overdraft and a start up grant from Wicklow County Enterprise Board.

What was the most significant lesson you learned in starting your business?
I was quick to invest in certain assets as I thought that I just “had to have” them but in actual fact over time and as the business developed, they turned out to be fairly useless! I would advise anyone starting up to take their time and build up as they go along.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read, business or non-business?
Blaise Brosnan’s “You are the Limiting Factor.” The book is a great reference especially for me as I completed The Owner Manager Business Development Programme with him. I couldn’t recommend the man highly enough!

Who is the entrepreneur you admire the most?
Jamie Oliver, he seems to have a great recipe for success!

What have been the biggest challenges in your business to date?
Finding the capital to fund new projects. Everything is on a shoestring budget at the moment and it is driving me mad!

What has been the proudest moment in your business so far?
Impressing the Head of the Royal Horticultural Society with my glass and crystal creations during what was essentially a chance meeting! He invited me there and then to exhibit in The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012.

What was the best piece of business advice you ever got?
Know what your “Key Money” is- basically what it costs you everyday to run your business even before you put the key in the door!

Can you recommend a good time management technique for other entrepreneurs out there?
I’m afraid I cannot- I’m probably the world’s worst business owner with regards to time management. Far too many nights / very early mornings are spent catching up on everything I was supposed to cover the day/week before.

What magazine do you never miss each month?
One form of trashy magazine or another- they are my guilty pleasure and they are wonderful for taking my mind off work!

What is your favourite film?
Limitless

What is your favourite ad?
I particularly enjoy the Meerkat adverts – simples!

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business?
I often speak to transition year students and I always tell them the same thing – if you get the right help/advice and you are totally motivated, you really can turn your passion into a viable business. I always tell them that I couldn’t imagine how awful it would be to be working everyday at something I didn’t love.

What do you like to do when you’re not running your business?
I love to walk and exercise in general. Catching up with friends every so often is great for the soul too.

Have you found the self-employed formula for a work/life balance?
Honestly, I find it difficult to strike a good balance as I’m often preoccupied with work. However, my partner who is also self-employed is trying his best to help me break bad habits i.e. checking emails, wrapping glass etc. during “down time”!

What’s your website?
 divitostudios.com

Do you have a Facebook page?
facebook.com/pages/Divito-Studios-Art-Glass

Are you on Twitter?
twitter.com/DivitoStudios

How has Wicklow CEB helped you and/or your business?
Financially, they have really helped me over the years with various grants etc. And most importantly, I always know that they are there, at the other end of the phone line, offering support and advice when I need it!

If you could start up all over again, would you do anything differently?
No, I wouldn’t change anything really as there is no point looking backwards…it’s onwards and upwards from here!

Bianca Divito’s work is available through her website and at Damien Keane’s studio at Mount Usher Gardens in Ashford, Co. Wicklow.  She will be appearing at the Chelsea Flower Show from 22nd until 26th May 2012 and often exhibits at the annual Art Ireland show in the RDS, Dublin.

 

 

 

Ronan Minogue, Ability Software

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Ability Software Ltd. was founded in 1999 by three software consultants with insurance industry backgrounds, Ronan Minogue, Darren McBride & Bart O’Connor. Today Ability Software employs over ten developers as a technology consultancy and software development company.

Many thanks to Ronan for taking a turn in April’s Hot Seat!

 

What led you to starting your business?
We were working for a company that was bought over. We did not wish to take up the roles offered in the new entity. We had a number of ideas on developing a business so we took a chance.

How did you raise the start-up funds you needed?
Small private investment by one of the founding directors.

What was the most significant lesson you learned in starting your business?
Trust your thinking – and learn from your mistakes.

What have been the biggest challenges in your business to date?
Operational costs are rising faster than revenues, causing significant pressure

What has been the proudest moment in your business so far?
There have been a number of “small victories” each of which have been a source of pride. We like to achieve small victories move forward from there.

What was the best piece of business advice you ever got?
Do not be afraid to make mistakes otherwise you will never start anything.

Is there one entrepreneur you admire the most?
You can learn skills from people all day every day and from all walks of life – not specifically entrepreneurs.

Can you recommend a good time management technique for other entrepreneurs out there?
At the start of the day list the goals & tasks you wish to achieve on that day. Avoid distractions that will definitely arise.

What magazine do you never miss each month?
I review news in a variety of forms rather than follow one particular magazine.

What is your favourite ad?
I like the ads for “Chill Insurance”

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business?
Trust your thinking but be open to advice.

What do you like to do when you’re not running your business?
Manage a Gaelic Football Team & Train in Taekwondo

Have you found the self-employed formula for a work/life balance?
No, this formula is a constant “work in progress”

What is your favourite film?
The Shawshank Redemption

What’s your website?

abilitysoftware.ie

How has Wicklow CEB helped you and/or your business?

With business advisory sessions

If you could start up all over again, would you do anything differently?

Yes, too many things to list!  The most important lessons are do not be afraid to make
mistakes but learn from your mistakes.

 

Ability Software provides end-to-end solutions to business requirements for a range of customers in different industries, incorporating a combination of best-of-breed technology and in-depth business knowledge. Their client-base has dedicated customers across Ireland, Great Britain and Spain, in such industries as Insurance, Public Sector, Retail, Education, Travel and Finance. Clients include Zurich Insurance, Chaucer Insurance, Enterprise Ireland, Skillnets, TeeTimes.ie and the National Roads Authority, amongst others.

Catherine and Yvonne Whitty, Cathy’s Spelt for Health

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Mother & daugher team Catherine & Yvonne Whitty run artisan food business Cathy’s Spelt for Health from their base in Tinahely, Co. Wicklow. Specialising in spelt, Cathy has developed a growing range of ready mix products from cakes to flapjacks to scones to pizza bases! Cathy first approached Wicklow CEB for start-up advice on the Enterprise Bus as far back as 2008, and within the year her business was up and running.  Both Cathy and her daughter Yvonne are now heavily involved in new product development, market research and building relationships with key retailers around Ireland and beyond.

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business?
Research your market, test the market, do a business plan and have a clear idea of all your costs before you invest money or give up the day job!. Look at all the supports that are out there. It may be a fantastic idea but ask yourself will it make you an income in the long run or will you be a busy fool.

What do you like to do when you’re not running your business?
Cathy: Interior design, going for coffee, gardening
Yvonne: Walking, music, film, crochet, visiting archaeology sites

Have you found the self-employed formula for a work/life balance?
We haven’t found it yet! We try to work 9 to 5 and take weekends off.

What is your favourite ad?

What is your favourite film?
Cathy: Little Miss Sunshine
Yvonne: Cinema Paradiso

How has Wicklow CEB helped you and/or your business?
Wicklow CEB has been a huge help. We attended may of the courses they run, completed a business plan and received excellent mentoring which really helped us to progress the business and get where we are today. We also received a Priming Grant which has enabled us to get our new packaging, freeing us up to allow us more time to grow the business. When we started we were labelling the bags by hand which was both costly and time consuming.

What’s your website?
http://www.cathysspeltforhealth.ie/

Do you have a Facebook page?
We do! It’s facebook.com/CathysSpeltforHealth

Are you on Twitter?
We are indeed, follow us @CathysSpelt

What was the best piece of business advice you ever got?
Listen to all the advice in the world, take it with a pinch of salt but at the end of the day you have to be your own best solicitor, accountant and banker.

Can you recommend a good time management technique for other entrepreneurs out there?
No not at all! It’s the best thing and the worst thing in the world being your own boss. It is hard to switch off at times.

What led you to starting your business?
Cathy: My business started by accident in that I had suffered from anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction which left me hospitalised. I was on an exclusion diet and began baking with spelt flour as I was off wheat. Soon I was baking for our local health food store in Tinahely and supplying breads and cakes there weekly. My daughter entered me in the RTÉ SuperValu TV Series, Recipe for Success (2009) and I got to the final with my spelt bread. Following the series I received calls from all over the country and decided to look into the possibility of setting up a business! The publicity form the programme spurred me on to investigate the idea of selling spelt bread.

How did you raise the start-up funds you needed?
Initially we used our own money to pay for packaging etc. but we did not have huge overheads as we outsourced the production of our range. We started off with small orders which we sold to our distributor.  Once the paid us, we had more product made. This allowed us test the market without huge financial risk.

What was the most significant lesson you learned in starting your business?
It takes a lot of time and energy to grow any business.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read, business or non-business?
It’s a long way from Penny Apples, Bill Cullen.

Who is the entrepreneur you admire the most?
Gillian Bowler, founder of Budget Travel.
More info on Gillian here.

What have been the biggest challenges in your business to date?
Increasing our sales and breaking into export markets.

What has been the proudest moment in your business so far?
Seeing our product on the shelves for the first time!

What magazine do you never miss each month?
House and Home, Food and Wine, Easy Food

If you could start up all over again, would you do anything differently?
Not really, we would have completed the business plan earlier as it really helped us look at all our costs and establish what volumes we needed to sell in order to make a business a success.

 

The Cathy’s Spelt for Health growing range of ready mix products are available in Avoca, Dunnes Stores, Donnybrook Fair, Pettits, SuperValu, Londis and Fresh supermarket chains, The Village at Lyons, many cafés and a host of health food shops around the country.  Watch out for them overseas this year too!