‘Making your Rural Business a Success’ is the theme of an upcoming Teagasc workshop designed to meet the needs of individuals thinking about, or in the early stages of opening a rural business. The event, which is free of charge to participants, is being held as part of Teagasc’s programme to support rural businesses.
Hosted by Teagasc, LEADER, the Irish Farmers’ Journal and JFC, the workshop will encourage and give practical advice to budding rural entrepreneurs. Facilitators at the event will include John Concannon of JFC in Tuam, Ireland’s most successful rural business, and mentors from RTE’s Higher Ground programme, Paul McCarthy, Teagasc and Peter Young, the Irish Farmers’ Journal. LEADER staff will outline the supports and grants that are available for new enterprises.
Teagasc Rural Business Specialist, Paul McCarthy said: “The sessions are deigned to help people avoid the common and costly pitfalls associated with starting a business. Many rural start-ups run into difficulty, not because their product or service falls short in terms of quality, but because they don’t focus on the business side. They have full knowledge of their craft or product, but all too often the lack of sufficient planning and organising of the day-to-day running and marketing of their business is not adequate. The workshop will address these issues.”
John Concannon, Managing Director, JFC commented: “Workshops like these are invaluable and worth attending as innovation has never been needed more than in the current climate. Developing new ideas and creating new businesses will be the stepping stone for many that will lead to a better future.”
The session is of particular interest to those entering the JFC Innovation Awards Competition for Rural Business, which has a prize fund of €40,000 and also has a new category solely for people who have not yet started trading. Peter Young of the judging panel commenting prior to the events said: “We will provide advice on how best to prepare your plan and some helpful tips on using your own personal strengths and resources to make your venture a success.”
The first workshop takes place in Teagasc Kilmallock on Thursday November 19th and those interested should pre register by calling Mary Lyons at 061 415922 or email mary.lyons@teagasc.ie
The second event takes place in Teagasc Tullamore on Friday November 27th and those interested should call Lou Kennedy on 090 6481167 or email lou.kennedy@teagasc.ie
The final event takes place at JFC HQ in Tuam on Thursday December 3rd and those interested should call Karen Coss in JFC on 093 24066 or email karen@jfc.ie
All the events will take place from 2pm to 5pm.
For further information visit Teagasc
This story first appeared on the website of West Limerick Resources
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