Paycheck Plus founder Anne Reilly is a voluntary Lead Entrepreneur
Louth businesswomen are encouraging others from the wee county to join the latest cycle of ACORNS – a highly-successful development initiative to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.
The call for applications for the latest cycle of the programme — ACORNS 7 — has been launched by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. ACORNS is funded under the Department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund.
Programme organisers are looking for female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, who wish to start and develop new businesses or who have recently started a venture.
A total of 50 new entrepreneurs will be selected and the free initiative will run over six months from October 2021 to April 2022 with the deadline for applications midnight on September 10, 2021.
Anne Reilly, the founder of successful Drogheda-based award-winning Paycheck Plus is a Lead Entrepreneur on the programme.
“I’m delighted to be an ACORNS Lead again this year and look forward to working with another group of amazing female entrepreneurs” Anne said.
The bond that grows within the group from the first meeting is unique to ACORNS and sets the tone for not only the months ahead but for years to come.
“Despite coming from a range of different sectors and backgrounds the challenges of getting a business off the ground are mostly the same regardless of sector, so the shared learning is hugely helpful. Going through the programme they develop an understanding of the various models and frameworks to help develop their strategy for operations, sales, marketing, management, and financial skills. Being part of ACORNS enables the participants to share experience, tips, advice and support in a safe environment. “
“As Leads, we don’t have all the answers, but we have experience of getting businesses off the ground and making them successful, so we’re delighted to share our learnings just as others have shared with us.
“It’s great to see the progress in the group from month to month during our round-table sessions. Years later, I observe the continued power of the groups who still stay in touch and share a very special bond. It’s a network that enables them to connect with other like-minded women locally and throughout the country.
“The results of the participants in ACORNS is testament that this model works. It’s an honour to help these ladies and share in the journey of Ireland’s remarkable female entrepreneurs through the ACORNS programme.”
Among the 50 new businesses that took part in the last cycle of ACORNS during the Covid-19 pandemic, many changed their career direction completely to establish their businesses.
A desire to make lifestyle changes was a common thread among the participants. Resilience and flexibility – especially during the challenging economic circumstances – was particularly evident. There was great variety and diversity in the new businesses.
Based on a belief that entrepreneurs learn best from each other, ACORNS is centred on interactive round table sessions facilitated by successful female entrepreneurs who have started and grown businesses in rural Ireland.
These are known as ACORNS Lead Entrepreneurs, and they give their time free of charge to encourage and support the new business owners.
There is no charge for those participating in ACORNS, thanks to the continuing support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the voluntary contribution of time by the Lead Entrepreneurs.
This year’s voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs are Anne Reilly, PaycheckPlus; Caroline Reidy, The HR Suite; Eimer Hannon, Hannon Travel; Larissa Feeney, Accountant Online; Mary B Walsh, Ire Wel Pallets; Norma Dinneen, Bó Rua Farm and Triona MacGiolla Rí, Aró Digital Strategies.
In addition, Monica Flood, formerly Olas IT and a Going for Growth Lead Entrepreneur, will facilitate an ACORNS Plus round table for selected previous participants who are committed to driving forward the growth of their businesses.
The previous cycle of the programme — ACORNS 6 — was held during nationwide restrictions to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the challenges that they were facing, the ACORNS 6 participants were very positive, and their businesses grew. Over the six-month period of the programme, the combined turnover of the overall group doubled from €1.8 million to €3.6 million.
Six new businesses started to trade during the programme and there were seven new exporters. At the end of the cycle, ACORNS 6 participants employed 107 people — an increase of 29.
A further 150 past participants were actively involved in other Community aspects of the initiative during the sixth cycle.
Any woman with a new business based in Co Louth — or a well-developed idea for a new venture they want to get off the ground — can get more information and register to receive an application form at www.acorns.ie. There is no charge for participation.
ACORNS 7 will run from October 2021 to April 2022 and will include a launch event, six roundtable sessions, an understanding the financials workshop, a briefing by the various development agencies and an end of cycle celebration.
For more information or to interview the Director, any of the Lead Entrepreneurs – or past participants – contact Erin Fox at StoryLab on +353 87 122 5485.
