Kilkenny Design and the Local Enterprise Offices have revealed a new national initiative to help designers and makers scale into sustainable, export-ready brands.
A new national initiative designed to help Ireland’s creative entrepreneurs turn their talents into commercial success has been launched.
Retail powerhouse Kilkenny Design and the Local Enterprise Office network have launched the Kilkenny Design Makers Academy to support up to 25 makers and designers through a structured business development programme focused on building scalable consumer brands.
“Our ambition is to help develop and support the next generation of successful Irish brands”
The initiative brings together retail expertise, enterprise support and practical business training to address a long-standing challenge facing creative businesses: to turn design capability into consistent commercial growth.
The detail in retail
For Kilkenny Design, the programme represents a natural evolution of a commitment that stretches back more than six decades.
Since 1963, Kilkenny Design has been at the heart of Ireland’s maker movement, championing the very best of local design and providing a platform for generations of local makers and designers to showcase and grow their businesses.
Built on the belief that Ireland’s consumer brands deserve a platform, the company has grown into one of Ireland’s most trusted and beloved retailers.
Evelyn Moynihan, CEO of Kilkenny Group, believes Ireland is home to some of the most talented makers and creative entrepreneurs in the world.
“Through the Makers Academy, we want to help bridge the gap between creativity and commercial success by providing participants with access to real retail expertise, practical business support and invaluable mentoring. Our ambition is to help develop and support the next generation of successful Irish brands.”
Moynihan added: “Supporting Irish makers is part of who we are. Since 1963, Kilkenny Design has championed the creativity, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit of Irish designers and makers, helping bring their work to customers across Ireland and beyond. The Makers Academy is a natural evolution of that commitment to creating new opportunities for emerging businesses to grow, scale and succeed.”
Participants will have the opportunity to learn directly from senior leaders within Kilkenny Design, alongside industry experts and enterprise specialists, gaining practical insights into what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive retail environment. There is no fee to participate in the programme.
Pamela Kerr, head of Enterprise, LEO noted the importance of investment in Ireland’s indigenous enterprise sector and the future growth of the creative economy. “Across the country, we see talented makers and designers with significant commercial potential, but often they require access to specialist expertise, mentoring and market opportunities to accelerate their growth.
Kerr added: “Makers Academy is one of several enterprise development initiatives run by the Local Enterprise Offices across the year to foster entrepreneurship and help small businesses in the consumer products & creative sectors and demonstrates the power of targeted supports in driving entrepreneurship and innovation. T
“This programme brings together three powerful elements – enterprise support, retail expertise and practical business development – creating a unique opportunity for participants to strengthen their commercial capability and prepare for sustainable growth.”
Image at top: Niamh Mooney and Ciara Gache, from Don’t Kill My Vibe; Sarah Murphy from Jack Murphy Clothing; Feebee Foran from Forager, Ray Hurley from Ray Hurley Prints and Siobhéal Nic Eochaidh from Rosie & Dott. Photo: Robbie Reynolds
-
Bank of Ireland is welcoming new customers every day – funding investments, working capital and expansions across multiple sectors. To learn more, click here
-
For support in challenging times, click here
-
Listen to the ThinkBusiness Podcast for business insights and inspiration. Latest episodes are here. You can also listen to the Podcast on:
-
Spotify
-
SoundCloud
-
Apple
