This is a programme that every female led business should want to be a part of.  The ACORNS Programme deadline is 22nd September!

Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow!

ACORNS is a hugely successful part-time 6 month development programme for early stage female entrepreneurs. The programme is fully funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine. It starts and finishes with a two-day forum, including an overnight. ACORNS is facilitated by its creator and Director, Paula Fitzsimons along with Orla Mooney and Claire Fitzsimons. There are also very hands on and focused round table sessions facilitated by a lead entrepreneur each month. 

Each participant is matched with a group of fellow early stage start-up owners and a lead entrepreneur, who are established leaders in their own business fields including Alison Ritchie – Polar Ice, Anne Cusack – Critical Healthcare, Anne Reilly – Paycheck Plus, Caroline McEnerny – The HR Suite, Deirdre McGlone – Harveys Point Hotel, Mary B. Walsh – Ire Wel Pallets, Triona MacGiolla Rí– Aró Digital Strategy. 

Two high potential female entrepreneurs with businesses based in Co Kildare were chosen to participate amoung the 55 ACORNS 2. They were Orlagh from Choice Training & Consultancy in Ballymore Eustace  and Eilin O’Carroll owner of Firmount who opened the doors in Clane just out side Naas in June 2017. It would be great to see more local business women taking part in ACORNS 3.

My Experience:

Shortly after completing the straight forward but competitive application process, I was informed that I had been selected as an ACORNS 2 participant. Arriving in Mullingar for the first residential forum I was not quite sure what to expect and a little apprehensive. The forum started with a lunch that the first group of ACORNS (ACORNS Pilots) participants attended. See the ACORNS Pilot participants here.  Meeting and listening to the stories of these woman such as Nicki Hoyne owner of My Shining Armour and Colette Twomey owner of Clonakilty Black Pudding, I was quickly convinced of the merits of ACORNS. You cannot help but feel the enthusiasm and energy in a room of ACORNS.

My lead entrepreneur was Alison Ritchie, MD Polar Ice. A serial entrepreneur,                                                                     a role model and fantastic mentor to our ACORNS team, now known as the A-Team. Alison’s A-Team consisted of a diverse group of early stage entrepreneurs – myself Orlagh Deegan from Choice Training & Consultancy, Joanne Browne Jo Browne Ireland, Caitriona Considine Moher Cottage, Claire Molloy Sweet Living, Ladonna McCartan Nook & Cranny, Rose Barrett Folio Digital, Pauline Durkan Mayo Escargot, and Marie Byrne – Serial Inventor. Read about more of the participants here.

The skills and knowledge within the groups and from the Lead Entrepreneurs was invaluable. This is not just a development programme. It is a network for business, advice, development, training and support network that gives each of the women a strong strategic plan with a clear focus for growth. It gives them the confidence to strive beyond their initial targets. There is of course the social aspect too. The programmes includes lunches, dinners and for some the evening ends in the residents bar to reflect on the days activities. I now not only have eight new best friends, but also eight advisors with very diverse skill sets who I know I can pick up the phone and call at any time. Since our graduation we continue to advise and support each other via our very lively and sometimes very entertaining WhatsApp A-Team Group. Our first reunion was a trip to Moher Cottage with more planned later in the year. I have also formed some strong relationships with participants from all the other groups too.

Outcomes:

The results speak for themselves. The ACORNS Pilot consisted of 43 entrepreneurs who increased their sales by over €4 million (103% increase), 11 of these businesses now exporting and now have 107 employees.

55 early stage start-up female entrepreneurs completed ACORNS 2 in April 2017. 47 of these are now trading, 21% reported an increase in sales within 6 months, 11 are exporting with a further 6 planning to export by the end of 2017.

For me, Choice Training & Consultancy has a clear growth strategy, increased sales and has worked directly with other ACORNS participants providing training to their businesses including Moher Cottage & Nook and Cranny. I have expanded my team of trainers to meet growing demand, with further growth forecast over the next 12 months. It also resulted in establishing a strong business relationship with the Irish Chinese Service Center Ltd as their preferred training provider to their 300 member organisations who employ in excess of 3,000 people. I am really excited to be engaging with the further development phase of ACORNS and continuing to build strong links with fellow and future participants.

Apply Now:

The criteria to apply is that you are a female entrepreneur living in rural Ireland (Outside City of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford) with a business less than 2 years old or actively planning to start a new business. As you can see from the previous participants, diverse businesses are welcomed. You have nothing to lose but an awful lot to gain.

APPLY HERE!  ACORNS 3 Closing Date 22nd September. No ACORN every regretted doing so! 

The very best of luck, Orlagh 😊