TWO Kerry-based busineswomen, Letitia Fealy, founder of Lotus Optimisation, and Orla Brosnan, founder of Clippity Clop Therapeutic Horse Riding and Activities, have successfully completed the ACORNS programme – a highly-successful development initiative to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.

They are encouraging other women in Kerry to apply for the next cycle of the free business development programme, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

ACORNS (Accelerating the Creation Of Rural Nascent Start-ups) 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.

Continued below…

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 (DAFM).

Letitia Fealy is the founder of Lotus Optimisation, a Tralee-based digital marketing solutions company for micro-businesses and SMEs.

“Participating in the ACORNS programme has been instrumental in driving my business forward in such a short space of time,” said Letitia. “Being in a group of ambitious entrepreneurs that celebrate your successes, share your struggles, and motivate you to believe in yourself and the value of your business, is inspiring. Having a Lead Entrepreneur that has walked the path before you, offering guidance and support is invaluable. ACORNS helps you set solid business foundations on which to grow your business. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to grow their businesses with support and accountability.”

Orla Brosnan is the founder of Clippity Clop Therapeutic Horse Riding and Activities, an inclusive pony camp based at the Tralee Equestrian Centre.

Orla studied equine science at the University of Limerick before going on the University of Arizona in the US where she studied Equine Race Track Management.

Orla says: “It has been an absolute honour to have been part of the ACORNS 9 programme. To have been surrounded with supportive and knowledgeable women who all have your back just made it an amazing six months. It is not easy to choose the route to be an entrepreneur but with the ACORNS programme it reminds you why you did choose it and that it is possible when you surround yourself with the right people. The best advice I could give anyone is, if you are thinking of applying, there is no need to think twice, just do it!”

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

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.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..