Waterford-based entrepreneur successfully completes latest cycle of ACORNS Plus programme

A Waterford-based entrepreneur has successfully completed the ACORNS Plus programme which aims to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.

Having completed the programme, Polly Doyle, founder of Polly & Andy, is encouraging other women in County Waterford to apply for support under the next cycle of the free business development programme, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. 

Another local businesswoman - Lynn Shead of Natures Alchemy - is also encouraging others from Waterford to apply. 

ACORNS has been providing a decade of support for female entrepreneurship in rural Ireland and has recently launched the 10th cycle of the business development programme.

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.

READ ALSO: WATCH: Gardai roll out Body Worn Cameras in Waterford as part of 'Proof of Concept' pilot

There are up to 50 places available for ACORNS 10 and the deadline for receipt of applications is midnight on  September 20. 

Polly Doyle is the founder of Polly & Andy, which is based in Cheekpoint in east Waterford. She set up her company selling bamboo socks after she found these were the only socks that her son, Andy, could wear comfortably.

The business was launched in 2019 and has been going from strength to strength since. 

Polly was originally on the 6th cycle of the ACORNS programme and she returned during the 9thcycle to take part in its follow-on initiative - ACORNS Plus.  

“ACORNS has put me outside my comfort zone and I am so grateful for it. I feel more confident in my business skills and it has driven me to want more. It provides you with a supportive community that will be there for you through the highs and the lows. 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," she commented. 

Lynn Shead of Natures Alchemy, which creates a range of products inspired by nature and designed for sensitive skin, completed the ACORNS programme during its 8th cycle last year.  Based in Tallow, her business stems from her own personal battle with sensitive skin and her love of plants. 

“ACORNS is such a wonderful initiative to help women in rural Ireland develop their businesses. The support given by the programme, the Lead Entrepreneurs and the other ACORNS is so valuable and there will always be someone in the ACORNS community with a solution to your problem.” 

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. 

READ ALSO: Uisce Éireann launches new text service for more than 42,000 households in Waterford

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.  

Commenting on the latest cycle of the initiative, Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, said: “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.