Lynda Bolger pictured at Duckett's Grove, Carlow
Lynda Bolger’s background is pretty colourful. She has plenty of experience as an international marketing executive. She has worked at major companies such as Curves fitness club, one of the world’s fastest-growing fitness franchises, and at Carlow Brewing Company, also known as O’Hara’s Brewery.
However, life took a turn with the arrival of her two children and the Covid-19 lockdown. She realised that she actually wanted to run her own marketing company, Flag Lane Marketing, in Carlow and use her talents for herself. But as Lynda says, this was a venture vastly different from the international enterprises she was accustomed to.
“I was used to huge marketing departments, with copywriters, graphic designers, web builders, and everything all in one area. But when I went out on my own, it was suddenly just me face-to-face with businesses in rural Ireland. It was initially daunting, but I have found a huge passion for it.
“Whenever I see a business I’ve worked with grow and succeed, they go on to hire more local people, and they donate to local charities. Rural areas of Ireland are underpinned by really strong businesses. Our mission at Flag Lane Marketing is to help small businesses grow, and in doing so, we strengthen their brand, their business and their community.”
Remote work
Originally from Borris and now living in Ballinkillen in Co Carlow, Lynda has been in her business, Flag Lane Marketing (named after the lane in Ballinkillen which connects one side of the village to the other) for 18 months and has already won awards. The company gained All-Star accreditation from the All-Ireland Business Foundation and was awarded the Best SME Marketing Agency in Leinster, as part of the Irish Enterprise Awards 2022. And she manages all this by working remotely.
“I am in the car most of the time,” says Lynda. “I’m driving between clients or to training or something else that needs my attention! So, I work remotely from the hub in Enterprise House, Carlow as it saves a lot of time. Doing this has allowed me to grow my business as I’m using my time more efficiently. I have my laptop with me, and I can do Zoom meetings, instead of constantly having to drive back and forth just wasting time.”
It’s not only Lynda. Her two staff members also work in the exact same way. Lynda says working this way in Carlow has been much easier than anywhere else. “Carlow has everything right at your fingertips! It is close to so many other counties, if I need to get to Dublin, I drive onto the motorway, and I’m in Dublin in an hour.
“There’s a very central train station and not to mention, everything in the town worth sticking around for. The schools are excellent, there’s the Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach which keeps our heritage alive. St Laurence O’Toole Athletic Club has top facilities. There’s just so much here. “No matter what you’re looking for, it is in Carlow.”
Growing the business
But it’s not just about the benefits of living in Carlow that make it a great place to base yourself. Flag Lane Marketing has also been able to grow a lot due to the business links and environment in the county.
“I have been able to grow my business a lot by connecting with South-East Technological University (SETU),” says Lynda. “We have interns coming from SETU for 12 weeks who are looking to work with a marketing company and gain experience. And then another intern will be available for another 12 weeks. This really helps as we don’t have a major budget and they get to learn so much on the job and grow their careers. One of my interns, Laura, has gone on to work full-time with Killashee Hotel on the back of having that placement with us.”
The Local Enterprise Office and Carlow County Council have also been an incredible support to have in the area. “The team at the Local Enterprise Office have been a pillar of support. I opened my business in the middle of lockdown, and I had two small babies - one being six weeks old! I was living with my parents-in-law too and if it wasn’t for the Local Enterprise Office and their help, I don’t know how I could have done any of this. They gave me access to grants available, helped me with a microfinance loan, helped me speak to accountants and overall, steer my business in the right direction.
“Now my main goal is to help the businesses in Carlow and the counties in the south east to grow and be successful. I’m really passionate about this. If we shop local and have really strong businesses in our local, rural communities, then our economy is stronger. Also, our schools are stronger, and our children want to stick around when they grow up and have their own children in the area. Strong businesses really are the underlying pulse of rural communities.”
■ Visit flaglanemarketing.com for more information
