North Mayo business secures a spot in the inaugural makers' market
Foxford skincare brand Slainte Sea Moss among 25 Irish businesses chosen for new development programme
A north Mayo skincare business has been selected to participate in the first ‘Makers’ Academy’ - a new partnership between Kilkenny Design and the Local Enterprise Offices.
Slainte Sea Moss, a Foxford skincare business, co-founded by Jamie Dent and James O’Neill, will participate in a programme of workshops, one-to-one mentoring and business coaching delivered by Kilkenny Design's senior leadership, buying, marketing and ecommerce teams, and leading industry and enterprise experts.
The programme will cover retail strategy, branding, finance, e-commerce, digital marketing, and founder development, equipping the Foxford business with the tools to accelerate its business.
They will also showcase their product through pop-ups in Kilkenny Design retail stores, providing exposure to customers and a first-hand experience of trading within one of Ireland's best-known retail destinations.
Speaking on the finalists, Evelyn Moynihan, CEO of Kilkenny Design, said the quality of applications exceeded all expectations.
“Selecting just twenty-five finalists was incredibly difficult. For more than six decades, supporting Irish makers has been central to who we are at Kilkenny Design.
“The Makers' Academy builds on that legacy by giving emerging businesses access to the commercial knowledge, retail expertise, and mentoring that can help transform great ideas into successful, sustainable brands. We are excited to collaborate with these finalists and help shape the future of Irish design,” she said
John Magee, Head of Enterprise with LEO Mayo, said it was brilliant to see Slainte Sea Moss getting this opportunity.
“The LEO has supported the company as they have developed, and we are excited to see how the business develops as the Makers Academy programme progresses”. he said.