Longford native and ACORNS alumni Brónagh Rogers swapped her chef’s apron to build her own business.
Bean & Bread founder Brónagh Rogers, who worked as a chef for ten years in Dublin, London, New York and Canada, among other locations, had to rethink her vocation when like many people working in hospitality she was let go during the Covid-19 pandemic.
So, the native of Mullinalaghta, which is outside Granard, in Co Longford, swapped cheffing for baking three years ago and set up her business at home in a premises she built herself.
“Our biggest business milestone to date has been the feeling that Bean & Bread belongs in Granard and is accepted as part of the community”
Rogers is a graduate of the celebrated ACORNS women entrepreneurship programme which recently opened applications for 11th Cycle as previous participants reported 54% revenue growth. The next programme has a deadline of midnight on 22 September.
The programme is available to early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland who have generated sales no earlier than the end of June 2022. Up to 50 places are available for ACORNS 11, which will run from October 2025 to April 2026.
A recipe for pivoting
However, while the bakery was a success, Brónagh couldn’t help but notice that the various coffee shops she was supplying were making considerably more money from her products than she was.
“This inspired me to pivot the business, and I opened my own café – Bean & Bread – in Granard in April last year.
Brónagh describes Bean & Bread as a small community café with a family atmosphere.
She says she was very lucky to get a premises right on the main street in Granard. “We used all local tradespeople to fit it out and we are working with them again as we are in the process of expanding.
Bean & Bread currently sells treats, coffees and pre-made sandwiches, but Brónagh intends to triple the size of the café and to have a proper deli counter and a wider offering.
With the bakery, Brónagh had one part-time employee, but the success of Bean & Bread has seen her hire five part-time staff.
“Our biggest business milestone to date has been the feeling that Bean & Bread belongs in Granard and is accepted as part of the community.”
Brónagh says one of the most beneficial aspects of being on the ACORNS programme was being among a group of participants who were doing completely different things but who were able and willing to help each other.
From little ACORNS to thriving businesses
Women in rural Ireland with new businesses or at least with well-developed ideas are being invited to join next phase of the programme, ACORNS 11.
The ACORNS programme is designed to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland through a peer learning approach. Thanks to the support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the voluntary contribution of time by Lead Entrepreneurs, there is no charge for those selected to participate.
Interested applicants for ACORNS must first register their interest here and will then receive an application by email. There is no charge for participation, thanks to continued government support and the voluntary contribution of time by Lead Entrepreneurs.
Results from ACORNS 10 demonstrate the programme’s impact on rural female entrepreneurship. All 52 participants who completed the cycle reported feeling closer to achieving their business ambitions, with 90% saying their participation brought about practical change within their business. Four businesses started trading for the first time during the cycle.
The financial results were particularly impressive, with the combined annual turnover of ACORNS 10 participants growing from €2.8m to €4.3m, representing a 54% increase. Participants employed a total of 104 staff at the end of the cycle, an increase of 15 positions, and 18 participants had gained export experience.
ACORNS operates on the belief that early-stage entrepreneurs learn best from their peers. The programme features monthly roundtable sessions facilitated by Lead Entrepreneurs who have first-hand experience of starting and successfully growing businesses in rural Ireland.
The programme has also been recognised as a ‘good practice’ on the EU’s INTERREG Learning Platform, adding to its recent accolades.
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