Kathleen will be raising funds for registered charity Kerry Cancer Support (www.kerrycancersupport.com).  She is paying for the costs of the skydive herself, so that every cent given to her in sponsorship will go to the charity.  Kerry Cancer Support is a community project which is open to all, without referral and at no cost.  The Acorn centre in Liosdara, Tralee, is run mostly by volunteers as a drop-in centre and provides emotional, psychological and social support to individuals in need of guidance on their career journey.  They offer listening services, emergency accommodation, coffee mornings and complementary therapies such as reflexology, massage, art therapy and Reiki.  One of the most popular services is transport to Cork for appointments – the charity has recently purchased a 16-seater bus to run five days a week, serving Cork University Hospital.

 As a Director of Ballybunion Joinery, Kathleen works hard during the week and sees this as a fun way to raise funds.  She aims to raise a minimum of €600 by mid-September and is looking for sponsors.  Kathleen can be contacted on 087 1427082, or sponsorship donations can be given to Kerry Cancer Support, 47 Liosdara, Tralee (www.kerrycancersupport.com).

 The popular choices of Italian and Spanish designer shoes are still available, but Amy has listened to her customers’ comments and is adding a new range of shoes which is even more “pocket friendly”, with prices starting at only €15 .    The Stylo range of petite shoes, with matching handbags,  is ideal for both everyday wear and special occasions, including weddings and balls. 

 New payment options have also been added to the website, including Laser and Visa with security ensured by Realex and Elavon.  Shoes are delivered by courier within two to five working days.

 Amy, a petite lady herself, was frustrated at not being able to find attractive shoes in her size:

“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.  I have found many more women who have the same problem and they have been delighted to find my service.  By selling online, I can reach out to petite women all around the world!”

 The business has been boosted recently by Amy’s appearance on TV3’s Exposé and the Morning Show with Sybil and Martin.  She is delighted with the response and will soon be showing her Autumn and Winter range on the website.

Yes, Anthony and I were competitors, but we are working well together!  Our skills are complementary and our clients benefit from many years of varied PR and writing experience in Ireland and the UK.  Our websites are works in progress, but take a look at www.linkedin.com/in/annekiely and www.linkedin.com/in/anthonygarvey

Here’s an article which appeared in the Irish Independent on 15th July this year.

http://www.independent.ie/business/media/no-coverage-no-fee-pr-firm-could-revolutionise-industry-2259127.html

To contact Anne Kiely, e-mail kielyassocs@gmail.com  or for Anthony Garvey e-mail anthony.garvey@quinngarveypr.com

 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 (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.

Margaret Slattery, from Clahane, Ballyduff, County Kerry is the Camp Co-ordinator and Parent and can be contacted by e-mail at slattery.margaret@gmail.comand on 087 982 9847.   There will be two groups: junior camp for 9 to 12-year-olds and senior camp for 13 to 18-year-olds.  Parents should attend with their child on the first day of the camp.  Registration forms are available at all Kerry County libraries and from the mobile library.  There is a registration session on Thursday 10th June from 5 to 7 pm at the North Campus of IT Tralee in Dromtacker.

The programme includes touch typing, texthelp software, mind mapping, study skills and time management, Word Shark software, Nintendo Brain Training, Astro Turf soccer, GAA, basketball and much more.   Three other facilitators are involved – Marie Stubbings (Director of the Dyslexic Support Centre), Conor Hartigan (Support Co-ordinator of Disability Services, University of Limerick) and Lorraine Gallagher (AHEAD – Association for Higher Education Access & Disability).

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).

 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.

Previous participants in Aidan’s programmes have benefited from a dramatic increase in leads or enquiries, coupled with a far higher proportion of those leads converting into paying customers, meaning more profit ……. even in today’s difficult business climate.  Aidan offers a 100% zero cost guarantee: if a business which participates fully and takes appropriate action does not get a return of at least the investment in the programme, the fees will be returned in full.

 Aidan comments:

“Most of our tried and tested business growth techniques are not being used by 99.9% of businesses.  The course is based on practical application rather than theory, with step-by-step guidelines, examples, ongoing implementation and feedback from the group.  Our approach is that the copious “food for thought” we provide is very much just the foundation for the far more important “fuel for action””

 A recent participant in the programme gave feedback typical of that received from other groups:

“Aidan’s marketing workshops are inspirational, practical, interesting, interactive and fun.  They  give techniques which can immediately be put into action.  I learn every time and always put the learning to good use.  It’s great to be with other business people who contribute ideas and constructive criticism.”

 The course will run over 14 half-day workshops between now and the end of the year and incorporates 1:1 sessions with Aidan.  This spaced approach enables immediate implementation of the tools and techniques in the participant’s own business, dramatically enhancing its growth.

 For further information, visit www.mgcp.info and contact Aidan at 087 410 7909.