Entrepreneurs

Win-win Solution from Kerry Business

By Anne Kiely  |  2010/06/24 19:30 Posted in Entrepreneurs, Ireland Business, Kerry Business  |  Comments (0)

There may be some signs that Ireland will start to come out of the recession in the second half of 2010, but for businesses, especially in the travel and tourism sector, life continues to be tough and survival is the name of the game.  Even before the volcanic ash problems, the number of visitors to Ireland was drastically down on last year.

 One enterprising Kerry businessman has come up with a marketing idea which is “win-win” for several businesses at once.  Dan O’Donoghue from Valentia Island is well known for his musical talents, but his artistic abilities don’t end there.  Dan’s business – Room with a View (www.roomwithaview.ie) – provides high quality online brochures and 3600  virtual tours for businesses, mainly those involved in travel and tourism.  When Dan realised that marketing budgets were squeezed tighter than ever, he came up with the idea of providing very focused and targeted e-brochures for hotels, golf courses and other attractions – free of charge!  The costs are covered by advertising space, offered at low cost to other local businesses.  Each business is assured that it will be the only one of its type in the brochure.

 The Killarney Golf and Fishing Club is delighted with the new spin on its Stroke Saver.  Rather than waiting to buy the printed version in the club’s shop, golfers can look at the Stroke Saver from the club’s website and not only be well prepared to play each hole but also get information about accommodation and other activities and attractions in the area.  As host of the 3 Irish Open this year, their website is likely to be a popular one!

 Dan comments:

“This service is win-win for all partners.  I’m already working with a top wedding venue and talking to other golf clubs such as Tralee Golf Club and the Castlemartyr Resort in Cork and hotels and I know that this has great potential for tourist attractions, travel operators and other businesses in Ireland.. These eBrochures will also be available in many different languages .The advertisers are jumping at the chance to get into the brochures as it’s great value, exclusive. and aimed directly at their target market.”

Mailmaker123 – a new Kerry business

By Anne Kiely  |  2010/06/22 07:00 Posted in Entrepreneurs, Ireland Business, Kerry Business, Women in Business  |  Comments (0)

According to research conducted by the Direct Marketing Association, email marketing generated a return on investment of €38 for every Euro spent on it in 2009, outperforming all other direct marketing channels.

Mailmaker123 (http://www.mailmaker123.ie) offer designer templates custom-made to match your company’s brand or image as well as an ever-increasing selection of seasonal themed designs.  They set up your account on their system and create a subscriber list for your email addresses from your existing database or file.  The next steps are then to create your newsletter, send yourself a test version and then send the final version to your subscriber list.  But it doesn’t end there : you can analyse the results from the reports - who opened your email, how many people clicked a link and the details of anyone who unsubscribed. 

Contact Tina Costigan or Lynda Foran for more information – info@mailmaker123.ie.

Democracy Board Game

By Anne Kiely  |  2010/06/05 07:00 Posted in Entrepreneurs, Ireland Business, Kerry Business, Women in Business  |  Comments (0)

The new Democracy Board Game was created by Shahidah Janjua, John Loughrey and Ramir Khan – a game which they describe as “truly different” and with a set of ethics which reinforces human rights and social justice.

DEMOCRACY is manufactured by Geepy Games, Co Kerry, Ireland and can be distributed to anywhere in the world, whether in a single order, or in bulk.
 
In line with the ethos of the game and how it was created,  profits from each game of DEMOCRACY sold will be invested in community projects in Co. Kerry, Ireland.  Nina Lyons of re:turnstudios (www.returnstudios.net),  a member of Kerry Businesswomen’s Network,  has designed the graphics for the game.

Find out more at www.democracyboardgame.com and “like” their Facebook page (search for Democracy Board Game).

Tiny shoes

By Anne Kiely  |  2010/06/04 11:59 Posted in Entrepreneurs, Ireland Business, Kerry Business, Women in Business  |  Comments (0)

 Kerry woman sells designer shoes for petite ladies

 A Kerry business can satisfy the needs of petite ladies who love their shoes.  Amy Hanley of Castleisland, County Kerry,  launched Shoetastic (www.shoetastic.ie) after many months of research and planning.  This online shopping service will be a delight for ladies who find the search for sizes 32 to 37 so difficult.

 Amy knows only too well how difficult it is to find tiny shoes:

“I have always had problems in finding fashionable shoes in my tiny size, so I decided to solve the problem for myself and others by setting up my own business.  By selling online, I can reach out to petite women all around the world who want to buy designer shoes.”

 The  range includes ankle, knee-high and calf boots, casual shoes, high heels, peep toes and a special bridal collection.  There are even matching handbags to complete an outfit.  Current prices start at just over  €30.   

Amy is delighted with the help she received from Kerry County Enterprise Board.  With the help of a mentor and a grant, she has been able to explore how best to set up, manage and market her business.  The “Start your own business” course run by the Enterprise Board was just what Amy needed to enhance her skills and she now regularly attends networking events in the County.

 

Launch of the European Network of Female Entrepreneurship Ambassadors

By Anne Kiely  |  2010/05/20 08:00 Posted in Entrepreneurs, Ireland Business, Women in Business  |  Comments (0)

Here’s a video of Mary Coughlan launching this Network in December 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwetYjRZgC0&feature=player_embedded

Carrots, eggs and coffee beans!

By Anne Kiely  |  2010/05/19 11:31 Posted in Business Networking, Entrepreneurs, Social Media and business tools  |  Comments (0)

I wanted to share this blog posting from Ivan Misner – it’s certainly thought-provoking.  I think I want to be a coffee bean but maybe a mixture of all three is best!

http://networking.entrepreneur.com/2010/05/17/carrots-eggs-and-coffee-beans/comment-page-1/#comment-4771

Where do you get your ideas?

By Anne Kiely  |  2010/05/10 09:07 Posted in Entrepreneurs, Small Business, Social Media and business tools  |  Comments (0)

I subscribe to updates from Seth Godin’s blog and found this recent post interesting -

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/05/where-do-you-find-good-ideas.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2Fsethsmainblog+%28Seth%27s+Blog%29

While I’m on the subject of creativity, I want to mention a great book – “Thinkertoys” by Michael Michalko.  I originally borrowed this from the library, but had to buy it as the ideas are so interesting – really different ways of looking at challenges, problems, opportunities (or whatever you are calling them at a particular time!).

I can also recommend Mary T Tierney who runs workshops and one-to-one coaching on Creativity – find out more at http://www.azurite.ie

TEDx talks are coming to Dublin http://tedxliffey.eventbrite.com/

By Anne Kiely  |  2010/04/02 14:49 Posted in Business Networking, Entrepreneurs, Ireland Business  |  Comments (0)

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) talks are coming to Dublin on Thursday 15th April at the Twisted Pepper, Middle Abbey Street.  Doors open at 6 pm, with the meeting starting at 6.30 pm.

Speakers on the night include

Mick Wallace (builder, anti-corruption firebrand, educational theorist and politicasl agitator);

Damien Mulley “The Accidental Businessman”;

The Happy Pear – identical twin entrepreneurs;

ARK (Act of Random kindness) Change your world;

Dylan Haskins (Film maker, social entrepreneur and founder of Exchange Dublin Collective Arts Centre;

Dartmouth Square and Edenbee Projects and more!

For information visit http://tedxliffey.eventbrite.com/

Congratulations to BiancaMed

By Anne Kiely  |  2010/04/01 12:12 Posted in Awards, Entrepreneurs, Ireland Business  |  Comments (0)

Seven-year old medical technology company BiancaMed has won an Irish Times All-island Innovation Award in association with InterTradeIreland.

Headquartered in NovaUCD and employing 20 people, BiancaMed was presented with the Product/Service Innovation Category Award, sponsored by UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, for its wireless sensor technology for the non-contact monitoring of sleep and breathing in the home. 

BiancaMed’s SleepMinder technology uses a sensitive radio frequency motion sensor that can detect respiration and movement without being connected to the human body. The sensor incorporates sophisticated biometric software that converts the motion data into a measurement

http://www.bizstartup.ie/news/item/16515-medical-tech-firm-wins/

Are you developing a business in ICT or Life Sciences?

By Anne Kiely  |  2010/03/31 11:23 Posted in Entrepreneurs, Ireland Business, Small Business  |  Comments (0)

Enterprise Ireland has launched the second Propel Programme which can provide financial support of up to €15,000; business start-up training; access to local and global contacts and networks; specialised business and industry expertise in 1:1 sessions; mentoring and access to potential investors.

Propel will run for 10 months and is open to entrepreneurs currently located in the Republic of Ireland.  It’s also open to existing innovative companies in the early stages of development within these sectors that wish to internationalise and scale their business.

Visit www.propelprogramme.ie for more information.  The closing date for receipt of applications is 23rd April 2010.  Places are limited.