Anne Reilly, the founder of the multi award winning company Paycheck Plus is one of several female entrepreneurs in Louth who are urging others to join the latest cycle of ACORNS – an initiative to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.
The call for applications for the latest cycle of the programme — ACORNS 8— was launched earlier this month 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 2022 to April 2023 with the deadline for applications midnight on September 23, 2022.
This is the eighth year of the ACORNS programme and over 350 female entrepreneurs have taken part to date and a significant proportion of these are still actively involved.
One of the voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs on the programme is Anne Reilly, the founder of the multi award winning company Paycheck Plus.
Anne says she is honoured and delighted to be a Lead Entrepreneur again this year and is looking forward to working with another group of amazing female entrepreneurs.
“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” Anne said.
“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.”
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, Paycheck Plus; Caroline Reidy, The HR Suite; Deirdre McGlone, Hospitality & Tourism Advisor; Eimer Hannon, Hannon Travel; Larissa Feeney, Accountant Online; Mary B Walsh, Ire Wel Pallets; Triona MacGiolla Rí, Aró Digital Strategies.
Any woman with a new business based in rural Ireland — 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.
