In a survey carried out at the end of the eighth cycle of the business-development programme in April, 100 per cent of participants said they would recommend the programme to others. These 46 entrepreneurs also reported significant growth in their new businesses. Their combined turnover doubled in six months to April 2023 from €1.9m to €3.6m.
Participants in ACORNS 8 employed 96 (55 full-time, 41 part-time) staff at the end of the cycle, an increase of 16. There were also five new exporters over the cycle. A total of 96 per cent of the participants said that they felt closer to achieving their ambitions after having completed ACORNS. While 89 per cent said that their participation brought about a practical change within their business. Under ACORNS, participants interact with each other in monthly roundtable sessions, which are facilitated by a lead entrepreneur, who has first-hand experience of starting and successfully growing a business in rural Ireland. There are 50 places available for ACORNS 9.
Only early-stage female entrepreneurs operating in rural Ireland, and who have had no sales before the end of June 2020, are eligible to apply. As ACORNS receives many more applications than there are places available, selection is on a competitive basis.
ACORNS 9 will run from October 2023 to April 2024 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 is no charge for those selected to participate.
While 46 participants completed ACORNS 8, the initiative also provided continued support to more than 200 past participants through the ACORNS Community, which provided them with the opportunity to take part in workshops, roundtables, and other networking events. Each of the lead entrepreneurs give their time to the programme on a voluntary basis. This year’s voluntary lead entrepreneurs are Anne Reilly, formerly Paycheck Plus; Caroline Reidy, The HR Suite; Deirdre McGlone, hospitality and tourism advisor; Eimer Hannon, Hannon Travel; Larissa Feeney, accountant online; Mary B Walsh, Ire Wel Pallets; and Triona MacGiolla Rí, Aró Digital Strategies.
In addition, Monica Flood, and Geraldine Kelly, Going for Growth lead entrepreneurs, have agreed to facilitate ACORNS Plus roundtables for previous participants, who are committed to continuing driving forward the development of their businesses.
Sharing her experience, multi-award-winning Niamh Dooley, BiaSol, who participated in ACORNS 7, said: “I highly recommend ACORNS. The sense of community the programme has built is amazing and it is a brilliant way to connect with other women in business.” Anne-Marie Feighery, of Feighery Farms’ Beetroot Juice, who participated in ACORNS 5 and more recently ACORNS Plus, said: “ACORNS has been a truly rewarding experience for me on my entrepreneurial journey to date. To meet such a group of supportive, focused, and positive women was truly inspiring and incredibly motivating, alongside the wealth of knowledge and vast experience offered up by our Lead Entrepreneur. I am very proud to be a member of the ACORNS Community and very grateful for the continuing support.” The deadline for applications is midnight, September 22.