Tipperary women successful at annual entrepreneurship awards

Elaine Crosse of Bánór and Úna Ryan of REMind Ed have successfully completed the ACORNS programme, a highly-successful development initiative to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.

And Noreen Fitzgerald of Marlhill Open Farm, who completed the ACORNS programme four years ago, this year completed the ACORNS Plus follow-on initiative.

The three women are encouraging other females in Co Tipperary to apply for the next cycle of the free business development programme, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year.

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.

The deadline for applications for this special 10th anniversary cycle is midnight, September 20.

There are up to 50 places available for ACORNS 10. Those wishing to receive an application form should register on the website, www.acorns.ie.

Elaine Crosse of Bánór - www.banor.ie - was on the 9th cycle of ACORNS and recently completed the programme.

Bánór is a body care collection that is made using Tipperary sheep milk and all natural ingredients. Elaine, who is an Agriculture and Dairy Specialist, set the business up with her friend, qualified pharmacist, Nicola Lyons. The sheep milk is sourced from Elaine’s brothers’ family-run farm in Cashel.

Elaine Crosse of Bánór says:

“Starting a business can be lonely and you can regularly question yourself. It is great to meet like-minded women who inspire and encourage you. The ACORNS programme is an amazing way to forge friendships, get feedback from a "board" of smart women with varying experience and perspectives, and get some frameworks in place.”

Úna Ryan of REMind Ed – www.reminded.ie – was also on the 9th cycle of ACORNS and recently completed the programme.

REMind Ed is a wellbeing company based in Cashel which wants to make wellbeing part of people’s everyday normal routine. After working with children daily for more than 15 years as a primary teacher, and after becoming a mother herself, Úna saw the need for a simplistic approach to daily wellbeing practices for parents, teachers and those working with children.

Úna Ryan of REMind Ed says:

“ACORNS provided me with the confidence, belief and network to grow my business, to develop and explore new avenues for revenue income and it kept me on target. It inspired me to push myself further, helped me to believe in myself and reduced my sense of imposter syndrome. It was such a worthwhile journey for me personally and professionally as I embark on my business journey.”

Noreen Fitzgerald of Marlhill Open Farm — www.marlhillopenfarm.ie —was on the fifth cycle of ACORNS and this year also completed the follow-on ACORNS Plus programme.

Marlhill Open Farm is based in Cashel and opened in 2021 and is designed with a young family in mind. It also has a café as well as an indoor soft play and outdoor play area for children.

“My fellow ACORNS participants set an example for me of what I could achieve in business. When we met, I found a lot of positivity in the room. It was such a boost to be around my peers. They made me feel like I could do it. The support network is ongoing, I’m still on the phone to them now, getting answers to my questions."

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.

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.