LEO Kildare Creates - Craft Cluster Monthly Meetings - 16th & 17th May
If you would like to attend and sign up to Craft Cluster, please complete this short form - https://submit.link/r9
Are you a creative working in Kildare or do you know someone who fits this description? Interested in dedicated training, events, seminars and business initiatives in 2022?
Come & join Kildare LEO’s open call to makers, crafters, designers and creators to help grow your business, increase sales and expand your network. We have 2 exciting sessions in place coming up on 16th and 17th May (full details below). Please book your place for both on the above booking link.
Kildare County Council and Local Enterprise Office is delighted to announce a new programme of events for creative businesses based in Kildare.
“Kildare Creates” is a fresh concept, designed to unite creative enterprises, promoting Kildare County as the leading destination for unique Irish Gift, Craft and Design.
Our goal is to establish a network of creatives including those working in homewares, textiles, fashion & skincare. Kildare Creates strives to support local creative enterprises by offering a range of bespoke training and informative seminars. Together we will creatively reimagine a new future for local makers, helping to sustainably grow their businesses and champion Kildare as a hub of creativity.
- Venue: MERITS Building, Devoy Quarter, Naas
- Date: 16th May 2022
- Note: 3 hour session and workshop
- Time: 3.30pm- 6.30pm
Description: Business Structure, Planning and Strategy” Understand how to use tools to analyse your business model and how to identify the cost benefit analysis in your product range. Training is suitable for creative businesses at start-up stage or more established ones, and should help with a more in-depth focus on your business structure. Strategic planning for a successful & sustainable business . Introduction to Frameworks, including Lean Canvas, SWOT Analysis, and more.
- Venue: MERITS Building, Devoy Quarter, Naas
- Date: 17th May 2022
- Note: 3 hour session and workshop
- This sessions will be followed by a Kildare Creates meeting.
- Time: 3.30pm- 6.30pm
Description: Networking, Storytelling and Building your brand”. Understand the power of storytelling, networking and branding in the context of communicating with your customers in-person and digitally. Learn how to personalise your branding message to include your unique story, allowing potential customers to understand you as the creative behind the brand.
This collaborative training session and workshop should be fun and engaging while giving you great ideas on how to grow a supportive network that will benefit you as you grow your business.
Delivered by:
LEO Kildare - Aideen Bodkin and Meabh Ring of A-Line Designs Ltd
Aideen Bodkin
With over 23 years of experience working as a leader in creativity and fashion design. Aideen Bodkin’s expertise is in Design, Design Thinking and Product Development. As director of two micro enterprises producing designer fashion and bespoke uniforms, Aideen has first-hand experience of exporting, upscaling production, supply chain management and ethical and sustainable production. She is also a mentor to individuals and micro enterprises giving them the benefit of her learned experience as a businesswoman, designer and educator. Having recently returned to education to learn more about sustainability, circularity, and digital entrepreneurship, her goal is to better understand the challenges that small businesses face in a rapidly changing world. Aideen concentrates on user centred Design Thinking to facilitate product development and growth potential for micro enterprises.
Aideen has delivered lectures and workshops to 3rd level students in NCAD School of Education about Visual Arts and Sustainability education.
She also presents seminars for the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and works with clients of Local Enterprise Offices. Aideen emphasises being prepared and professional, representing brands & ideas through quality and consistency and focussing on a positive customer experience. Her areas of expertise include market research, sales development, product development, branding, online presence and preparation for export.
Aideen is passionate about creativity and Design Thinking and about urging consumers to support creative talent through buying better (less often), buying locally and buying beautifully crafted sustainable products.
Meabh Ring
Meabh Ring has over 20 years’ experience working with gift, craft, design and the creative sector. Much of her work focuses on the sales, marketing, branding and retailing for creative products to the Irish and international consumers. She has worked with Irish craft collectives including Cork Craft & Design, Original Kerry and the Limerick Craft Hub. She was part of the research team formulating the Wicklow Craft Strategy in 2021.
Since the formation of her consulting business in 2014, Meabh has brought her extensive skills, retail knowledge, brand expertise and marketing knowhow to numerous emerging designers and craft companies through focused projects, marketing networks, as a business adviser and consultant through support agencies mentoring panels. Meabh worked as the project manager for the first August Craft Month in 2010 as well as the PM for the Ireland Stand at the International Jewellery Show in London. She works with agencies such as the Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland, Design & Crafts Council and Creative Ireland. Trade and international events have included Showcase Ireland, Top Drawer and work with the North American Celtic Trade Association. The work undertaken includes bringing product to market, brand development, working with collectives, development of sales and marketing strategies, retail strategies and market research. Meabh is passionate about the gift, craft, design and creative talent in Ireland and is committed to assisting talented micro enterprises to grow, develop key business skills, seek out and respond to sales opportunities, to improve sustainability and to maximize their creative enterprise.
If you would like to sign up to Craft Cluster, please complete this short form - https://submit.link/r9
