MBTA 2024: Meet the Best Emerging Business category finalists
Sustainability through creating, altering, and mending garments
Wren and Mabel, Michelle Power
Tell us about your business and team
Wren and Mabel was created by Michelle Power out of the desire to revive traditional sewing skills and empower people to live more sustainably. Michelle is a qualified fashion designer from the Grafton Academy and a passionate advocate for sustainable fashion. After gaining invaluable experience in the fast fashion industry, Michelle decided to take a more mindful approach to fashion by focusing on sustainability and the circular economy. Through teaching sewing and needle craft classes, Michelle aims to inspire individuals of all ages to take responsibility for their wardrobe through creating, altering, and mending garments.
Describe the best thing about your service
With increasing focus on the circular economy and sustainability, many people are eager to learn how to extend the life of their garments by mending, altering, and restyling them. As a mobile business, Wren and Mabel allows Michelle to bring valuable skills to people of all generations, in a variety of locations. Beyond just teaching sewing, she fosters a community centred around sustainability and creativity, where people are empowered to make thoughtful choices for their wardrobe and the planet.
What's the best business advice you've ever been given?
One of the best pieces of advice I got early on is to listen to your customers. By paying attention to their feedback and needs, I’ve been able to shape and grow my business in ways that directly addresses what people are looking for.
What does the future hold for your business?
I would like to make sewing accessible through online tutorials and potentially partnering with schools. Reviving sewing with the youth is key to contributing to a culture of sustainability and the circular economy.
Driving interest in the professional golf experience
JTP Golf Academy Ltd
Tell us about your business and team
The Pro Golf Academy was founded by professional golfer Joe Dillon and wife Michelle in April 2023 in Fordstown after they discovered that Meath Golf was seeking more than just a driving range. The facility provides fun for all ages, which is available to all level of golfers, from professionals to people just looking for some fun. There are 14 outdoor bays and 3 indoor simulator bays, all powered by Trackman, the industry leader in golf training technology. Aside from Joe providing private lessons, JTP Academy also caters for parties, corporate events and team bonding. Numerous schools across the county attend a weekly session and also run Saturday morning Junior Golf Lessons throughout the year. Joe and Mary know they wouldn’t be where they are now without the wonderful team of Greg, who is currently doing his PGA and Ronan, who is studying Law in Trinity.
Describe the best thing about your service
Since the day we opened, we see nothing but happy faces leaving the building. It brings a smile to our face seeing people having fun and enjoying themselves. Little do they know that they are getting better each time! The technology makes it more enjoyable for the "non golfer" as they can see on the screens all the data of their shots. It is a place where grandparents can also have fun with their grandkids!
What's the best business advice you've ever been given?
Stick in your own lane and never let anybody put you off an idea you have in your head!
A funny one, professional golfer Peter Lawrie advises us to always have elastic bands in our pocket. We didn't realise what he meant until we had to collect all the golf balls by hand after a busy day. The Ball collectors always break, and a good old elastic band fixes that, vital information!
What does the future hold for your business?
We intend to continue to grow the game of Golf in County Meath and generate more members for all Golf Clubs in the surrounding areas.
Trust, transparency and a tailored approach to buying or selling a home
Reynolds & Clare Estate Agents
Tell us about your business and team
Reynolds and Clare Estate Agents was founded recently by husband and wife team Karen Reynolds and Christopher Clare at Garlow Cross, Navan. With over 20 years combined industry experience, they set out to provide a more tailored and personal approach when it comes to selling or buying a home, with trust and transparency being at the core of the business.
Describe the best thing about your service
In a very competitive market, we understand the frustration felt by those finding it difficult to receive a call or a response from an auctioneer or agent, and when they do, they are often being passed from "Peter to Paul." Should people choose to engage with Reynolds and Clare Estate Agents, people are dealing with those in charge who are willing to go the extra mile to meet common goals. Karen and Christopher work from 8am to 8pm, ensuring they are available at a time that is convenient for clients and customers alike.
What's the best business advice you've ever been given?
"Do the right thing and the right things will happen!" said Neil McGimpsey, Director of Foxtons New Homes, London, circa 2014.
What does the future hold for your business?
Our aim is to be the "go to" 360-degree estate agency in Co Meath. We want to employ local people within our wider community who share our values for unrivalled customer service.
Mobile studio and sound stage hitting all the right notes
DiscoBox Collective - Paul Correia-Gillick
Tell us about your business and team
The DiscoBox Collective vehicle is a fully equipped self-contained, eco-friendly mobile studio, DJ booth and Event Stage introduced by Paul Correia-Gillick.
The vehicle uses an EV and solar powered generator to power all the sound and lighting equipment on board with a unique stylish design. The simple drive-in and play design make for a no fuss “Roll in Roll Out “ setup which is desirable to event and festival organisers.
Another arm of the business is the mobile DJ Academy, which gives more accessibility to up and coming students by offering a 4-week course delivered straight to their door, led by industry pros in a chilled environment open to all ages.
Describe the best thing about your service
DiscoBox Collective is a unique business model that is scalable with low overheads and costs by being self-sufficient.
As an academy for learning, we get to experience the joy of watching students of all ages and walks of life progress and perform with the music they love and let them be a “DJ Superstar” for even just an hour.
As a business model, we then aim to encourage and promote these students through our social media channels and industry connections to get them paid gigs and experience.
What's the best business advice you've ever been given?
“If people don’t understand what you are selling, maybe they are not the customers for you.”
What does the future hold for your business?
Our future goals would be to continue growing our academy by producing local DJs while setting up our own event areas at larger festivals. As the truck gains in popularity we will explore the possibility of additional trucks for other locations.