Small Business News | The Irish Times

FleetConnect CEO Patrick Cotter: “People expect wifi to be abundant and excellent in 2018.”

The entrepreneur providing wifi solutions to transport firms and rural Ireland

Transport & Tourism
December 14, 2018, 05:56

Future Proof: Patrick Cotter, founder of FleetConnect and Rural Wifi, eyes further expansion

Basta locks brand bought out of examinership

Manufacturing
December 10, 2018, 18:08

Industry veterans acquire the goodwill and stock of troubled Sligo business

Stephen O’Sullivan: “The one thing I always live by is don’t ask anyone to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself”

Inside Track: Stephen O’Sullivan, founder and owner of ParcelDirect.ie

Retail & Services
December 7, 2018, 05:40

O’Sullivan saw a customers’ need for a more convenient and cost-effective way of sending packages

Ross, Anna and Peter Doyle: Doyle Bloodstock was shielded from the effects of the downturn by regional diversification and clients in France, Scandinavia and the UK.

Cantering at the speed of the economic demand for racehorses

Agribusiness & Food
November 30, 2018, 05:18

Future Proof: Doyle Bloodstock – Peter, Anna and Ross Doyle

Zipit co-founder Eamonn Flynn: “Having gone through difficult times and good times, I just have a huge admiration for small business people now.”

Inside Track: Zipit co-founder Eamonn Flynn

Transport & Tourism
November 21, 2018, 17:35

Forest zipline adventure park business has expanded to three locations across Ireland

Amanda Jane, John and Eleanor Hanna, the third generation of the family to run Hanna Hats of Donegal

Donegal millinery business thriving despite competition from cheap imports

Manufacturing
November 16, 2018, 05:40

Future Proof: Hanna Hats, a family owned business, this year entered Russian market

Sharon Griffin. What one piece of advice would she give to the Government to help stimulate the economy? “Stop penalising business owners!”

Inside Track: Sharon Griffin, CEO of Frog Prince and Griffin & Grey

Retail & Services
November 9, 2018, 05:05

Design-led event production company is so busy the team works from 5am to 2am some days

Ray Bryne of the Wineport Lodge: “I always got a huge buzz from the energy in a commercial kitchen.”

‘We feel we have made a positive difference to people’s lives’

Transport & Tourism
November 2, 2018, 05:04

Future Proof: Ray Byrne talks about running the Wineport Lodge outside Athlone

Mike Treanor, director of design and operations, at Mullan Lighting.

‘I have made plenty of mistakes – and still do – but no regrets’

Retail & Services
October 19, 2018, 05:49

Inside Track: Mike Treanor, managing director, Mullan Lighting

Harry and Niall Gleeson of RE Flanagan: ‘If a groom needs a size 18 white shirt for the next day, we are the only wholesalers who can get it to him.’

Clothes maketh the man – and a thriving wholesale business

Retail & Services
September 21, 2018, 05:00

Future Proof: Niall Gleeson of RE Flanagan & Sons brings the Olymp brand into Ireland

Gregory Bradley: “We have been growing aggressively for six years but what we want to do is keep it manageable and sustainable.”

'I’d say personal challenges have been the biggest I’ve had to face'

Retail & Services
August 31, 2018, 14:34

Fitness manufacturer has created gyms for Arsenal, Everton and Google among others

Modern Tyres director Jimmy Byrne: “I’m terrified of Brexit. We’ve been through it already up here, when we had border posts and had to go through customs checks every day. Nobody knows.”

Border threatens to put the brakes on Fermanagh tyre business

Work
August 24, 2018, 05:30

Future Proof: Jimmy Byrne, Modern Tyres

House of Fraser, Dundrum, Dublin. The UK retail chain filed for administration on August 10th.

Irish-based firms left out of pocket over House of Fraser

Retail & Services
August 23, 2018, 09:42

UK retail chain had debts of almost £1bn when it collapsed

Allison and Will Abernethy: they gave up their jobs as a farmer and a nurse to produce butter and fudge full time

Inside Track: Allison Abernethy of Abernethy Butter

Energy & Resources
August 17, 2018, 06:00

The handcrafted butter made in Down was served at the recent royal wedding

Ailwee Caves directors Nicky Johnson and Nuala Mulqueeney. Visitor numbers to the Co Clare tourist attraction have stabilised at 140,000-150,000 annually. Photograph: Ken Williams.

Future Proof: Nuala Mulqueeney, Ailwee Caves

Transport & Tourism
August 10, 2018, 05:49

Co Clare tourist attraction has diversified its offering into an eclectic basket of operations

Jack and Theo Kirwan of restaurant chain Sprout & Co. Photograph: Andres Poveda

Inside Track: Jack Kirwan, Sprout & Co

Agribusiness & Food
August 3, 2018, 05:45

‘Being close to our growers is vital so that we can try and get produce that is served within 24 hours of being picked’

Keoghs Crisps managing director Tom Keogh with supplier Michael O’Neill of O’Neills Irish Atlantic Sea Salt of the Beara Peninsula.

Future Proof: Keoghs Crisps managing director Tom Keogh

Agribusiness & Food
July 27, 2018, 05:45

Development of premium snack food brand grew out of decline in demand for potatoes

The O’Malley family, who run Achill Island Sea Salt

The family who hand-harvests Ireland’s most westerly sea salt

Agribusiness & Food
July 20, 2018, 05:45

Inside Track: Marjorie O’Malley, co-founder of Achill Island Sea Salt

Margaret and Leo Farrelly, started their free-range egg business in 1988

Eggs in a bottle – liquid gold for free-range producer

Agribusiness & Food
July 13, 2018, 05:50

Future Proof: Clonarn Clover

John Keohane: “Our primary focus is on growing the business and enjoying the journey for the moment.”

Light-bulb moment led to success for Cork firm Verde LED

Manufacturing
July 6, 2018, 05:45

Inside Track: Verde LED founder and CEO John Keohane

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