Before taping started at a smallbusinesscan Start-Up workshop in ther Ulster Bank offices in Carrigaline, Cork, recently the SBC moderator asked some of the 100 businesses that turned up why anyone in their right mind would event think of starting a business in the current environment. Answers from; 'my boss is making all the money from my ideas' to 'I have an idea, I always wanted to work for myself and I now have some redundanct money' to 'What flippin choice doI have, there's no jobs out there' were given in what turned into a lively evening.
Jenny and Peter Young took over the 100-year-old family farm in 1999. Located between Kilcullen and Athy, the 170-acre site is predominantly a dairy farm, but they also keep a flock of 200 free-range hens for eggs and 100 cattle for beef.
Keep watching the sports on TV; keep going to those matches every weekend; explain to your spouse that it's work. If the match is live down the pub it's networking. Here, in the company of one of football's most successful managers, Tyrone's Mickey Harte, we take a look at what businesses can learn from the sporting world.
We've teamed up with iFarm. Country and city united. Together we can help each other share knowledge, insights, experience and contact networks needed to generate growth for our businesses.
Touring car driver Emmet O'Brien established NoH2O, Ireland's first waterless and eco-friendly car valeting service, in 2007. O'Brien, who continues to race on famous international circuits like Monza and Estoril, hit upon the idea for the venture while on the track.
Derry firm HugX has signed a major deal to sell its mess-free pet feeder on Frontgate.com, one of the largest catalogue and online retailers in the US. The deal will give the company direct access to a client base of some 83 million consumers in the US, where the lucrative pet care market is valued at US$45 billion annually.
A new product promises to make essential medical information available to consumers and healthcare professionals at the touch of a button.Its creator, Clare woman Mary Fitzgerald, believes the software, which stores files on computer, memory sticks or wallet cards, has the potential to revolutionise personal healthcare worldwide.
Technology firm Norkom Technologies will invest over e25 million in research and development (R&D) over the next four years, according to chief executive Paul Kerley.
Galway firm Crospon has secured its first overseas sale in an international agreement with distribution partner Medical Measurement Systems (MMS).
Kildare company ICE Tech is taking its digital solutions worldwide with a spate of new agreements with global clients.
Although just one year in existence, Armagh start-up Lir-Med is already preparing to ramp up production for overseas markets.
With business costs the top priority for many cash-strapped firms, one Dublin company is gaining market traction with a radical product that promises major savings.
I attended a pre-Christmas function at which the BBC Apprentice star Sir Alan Sugar was guest of honour. Sir Alan was interviewed after lunch and amongst the questions put to him included a reference to what he felt were his greatest strengths; “I’m a sales-man, simple as that.
Rubicon Healthcare sells a range of products for the incontinence market. CEO Peter Nolan talks about is company being sales orientated, customer focused and self sufficient. He also argues that it is necessary to be in many markets.
The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority Teagasc, is one of the unsung heroes of Irish business. Without fanfare, Ireland’s artisan foods and agri-businesses have helped to put this country on the map. We look at the challenge of making farms viable, lucrative rural businesses with Paul McCarthy, Rural Business Specialist with Teagasc.
Irish farmers are currently experiencing cash-flow difficulties due to low commodity prices, cost increases and a delay in grant payments. Coupled with this, the downturn in the wider economy has removed the financial cushion that supported many farmers. There are now fewer opportunities for off-farm employment and more modest returns from off-farm investments.
They say there is no substitute for locally sourced food and judging by the introduction of a unique pig producing company this firmly held belief looks like ringing true. And it's all down to the foundation of the pioneering. Truly Irish Country Foods, which is now making its presence felt locally. he North South Pig Company has big plans for its newly launched venture, Truly Irish Country Food brands.
Farmhouse cheese is one of the great products of Ireland and holds its own in world famous company such as Irish beef, Irish soda bread and Irish smoked salmon. Eamonn and Patricia Lonergan have done their bit to add to the food reputation of the country by producing rich milk for the farm’s award winning Knockanore Farmhouse cheese.
