LEO Kildare Creates - Craft Cluster Monthly Meetings - 27th & 28th June
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 27th and 28th June (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.
- Date: 27th & 28th June 2022
- Times: 3.30- 6.15pm
- Venue: MERITS, Devoy Quarter, Naas
Join the team from Kildare Creates, Kildare LEO Craft and Creative Cluster on June 27th & 28th for two collaborative workshops:
“Customer focused Product Development and Design Thinking”- In our fun, collaborative, high energy, interactive workshop we will show you how to use Design Thinking Processes. You will learn idea generation and how to quickly prototype new ideas, focusing on your customers’ needs while keeping it true to your unique style. We will explore how to expand your range as your business grows and examine options to help your product range to become more buyer friendly.
"How to create an effective Sales Strategy for craft and design products”
In this interactive workshop, we identify the different sales channels and how consumers view your products for sale. How to prepare for a sales event and meeting the consumer. We will look at the whole sales package, including merchandising, storytelling, branding and pricing your creative products to achieve sales.
Co-presented by Aideen Bodkin & Meabh Ring
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
