Programme for female entrepreneurs now open to new Louth applicants
Two local business women have recently completed a free business development programme called ACORNS which supports early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, and they are encouraging other women to apply for the next cycle of the programme.
Fiona Lynch from Clogherhead set up Almond Rose Designs in a home studio in November 2022 after leaving her job as a graphic designer in a large financial services firm, where she had been working for 25 years.
Her business has a range of pet cards which are designed in-house and printed in Ireland using eco-friendly inks on FSC-certified paper. The business is targeted at pet businesses – she also does corporate branding – and pet lovers.
Fiona completed a start your own business course with Louth LEO and was selected to take part in Showcase Ireland 2024.
“ACORNS has been invaluable to me as a person and as a small business owner” Fiona said. The Lead Entrepreneurs are amazing business women in their own right and our Lead was so supportive and no question was ever too silly on our round tables, there was always an open and honest conversation.
“Our group have already set up regular meetings so we can keep supporting each other going forward and helping each other out where possible. ACORNS has been one of the most positive experiences of my life and it’s great to know that ACORNS will continue to support us for the foreseeable future.”
Nicola Flanagan from Wellness At the Coach House also completed the ACORNS programme this year. Her business is a picturesque day spa in Tullyallen Village, in the heart in the beautiful Boyne Valley.
Nicola says: “ACORNS is an incredibly well thought out programme aimed at female entrepreneurs. Wellness At The Coach House participated in ACORNS 9 and the business has strengthened and grown thanks to ACORNS and its support network. I would recommend this programme to any female business owner looking for strategic direction, mentoring and a like-minded community to elevate you and your business.”
ACORNS has been providing a decade of support for female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland and has recently launched the 10th cycle of the business development programme which is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM).
The deadline for applications for this special 10th anniversary cycle is midnight, September 20th. There are up to 50 places available for ACORNS 10. Those wishing to receive an application form should register at www.acorns.ie.
ACORNS is based on the belief that early-stage entrepreneurs learn best from their peers. Participants interact with each other in the monthly round table sessions, which are facilitated by a Lead Entrepreneur, who has first-hand experience of starting and successfully growing a business in rural Ireland.
Only early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, and who have had no sales before the end of June 2021, are eligible to apply. As ACORNS receives many more applications than there are places available, selection is on a competitive basis.
ACORNS 10 will run from October 2024 to April 2025 and will include six monthly round table sessions, a workshop on understanding financials, a briefing by various development agencies and an end-of-cycle celebration.
There will be no charge for those selected to participate in ACORNS 10, thanks to the continuing support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the voluntary contribution of time by the Lead Entrepreneurs.
