Local business owners urges women to join business development programme

Two local women have successfully complete the ACORNS programme; a development initiative to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.

Kelly-Anne Quinn of Life Planning and Jan Carroll of Fortify Institute who successfully completed the programme are encouraging other females in Co. Meath to apply for the next cycle of the free business development programme, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

The free initiative for early-stage female entrepreneurs is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM).

Kelly-Anne Quinn of Life Planning, based in Dunshaughlin who recently completed the programme has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and is a certified financial planner. She said:

“Words cannot describe how valuable the support of my ACORNS group has been. Watching my peers has inspired and motivated me as I have shaped my business. I expected to receive guidance and direction from our sessions but hadn’t counted on eight champions of support. “I feel I am leaving with a clearer picture of where my business needs to be and what I have to do to get there. Thanks to our wonderful Lead Entrepreneur our sessions helped focus my activities and I am on my way to achieving my first-year goals. I look forward to remaining part of the ACORNS community while I continue to learn and grow.”

Jan Carroll of Fortify Institute, based in Kells, was on the 8th cycle of ACORNS and completed the programme last year.

Jan is an internationally-recognised cybersecurity educator and trainer. Her business, Fortify Institute offers cybersecurity, information, security, cloud security and ethical hacking training to those starting their careers or building their careers in cybersecurity.

The former technology teacher and electrician established her business following the cyberattack on the HSE in May 2021 which made her realise the potential for a business in cybersecurity training. She said:

“I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have found ACORNS to support me as a women growing a business in rural Ireland. My Lead Entrepreneur and the entire group were absolutely amazing, providing me with the guidance, encouragement, and friendship that I needed to help my business grow and thrive.

“Thanks to ACORNS, my business is now on the right track, and I feel more confident and capable than ever before. It’s truly amazing to be surrounded by such positive and supportive women who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of women in business. I would highly recommend ACORNS to any women who are looking for a supportive and empowering community to help them grow their businesses. The experience has been nothing short of fantastic, and I am so grateful for the friendships and connections that I have made along the way.”

Originally 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.

Charlie McConalogue T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, says:

“2024 marks a decade of support from my Department for Female Rural Entrepreneurs. This initiative has supported over 400 women in rural Ireland over the last ten years. The programme aims to address the skills, enterprise and capability gaps that female entrepreneurs can face and takes into account the barriers which often limit entrepreneurial activity in rural areas. I am delighted that once again we can target this area and help Female Rural Entrepreneurs to realise their dreams of starting and growing successful businesses.”

While 57 participants completed ACORNS 9, the initiative also provided continued support to more than 300 past participants through the ACORNS Community, which provided them with the opportunity to take part in workshops, roundtables, a Community Forum and other networking events.

Each of the Lead Entrepreneurs give their time to the programme on a voluntary basis, as they believe in the philosophy of ‘entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs’.

This year’s voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs are Alison Ritchie, Polar Ice; Caroline Reidy, The HR Suite; Eimer Hannon, Hannon Travel; Larissa Feeney, Kinore; Mary B Walsh, Ire Wel Pallets; and Triona MacGiolla Rí, Aró Digital Strategies.

In addition, experienced businesswomen, Clare Duignan and Geraldine Kelly, who are on the Going for Growth advisory panel, will facilitate ACORNS Plus round tables for previous participants, who are committed to continuing driving forward the development of their businesses.

In addition, a series of regional Gatherings for ACORNS Community members will be held in the autumn to celebrate 10 years of the initiative. These Gatherings will provide an opportunity for previous ACORNS participants to reconnect, network with other ACORNS from different cycles in their region and focus on the continuing and further development of their businesses.

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 on the website (www.acorns.ie).