Waterford jewellery designer encourages people to Shop Waterford, Support Local
https://osheajewellery.com/
Gene O’Shea, founder and owner of O’Shea Jewellery explains how local support has, “been invaluable in keeping my business viable.”
As I operate out of Kite Design Studios which is located on the Viking Triangle I would normally benefit from seasonal tourist footfall but since the pandemic I have become more dependent on the local market and thankfully I have found that local people have made a point to support me and shop local.”
Local Enterprise Office Waterford recently launched its ‘Shop Waterford, Support Local’ campaign to encourage Waterford shoppers to support local business in the run up to Christmas. It aims to put the spotlight on the vast array of retail and gift options within our county. From artists to designers, food producers to craft makers and everything in between that makes Waterford the first and last stop for Christmas shopping.
Every €10 spent locally on Irish products generates more than €40 of benefit to the local community, and research that was carried out in November 2020 showed that Irish consumers were 83% more likely to look local for products and services in 2021.
A native of Waterford, Gene is a talented Irish Designer specialising in quality, handmade pure silver jewellery. Taking inspiration from his local environment of Waterford, Ireland’s Ancient East, Gene developed his talent for design and creativity as a master craftsman at Waterford Crystal. Residing just a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean and the Comeragh Mountains, it’s easy to see why nature serves as an inspiration for Gene’s silver work. Uniting the craftsmanship of his previous crystal work with the beauty and elegance of nature, Gene creates stunning statement jewellery made from pure silver.
Gene has been working with the LEO for a number of years now and finds them very supportive, “I have had a very positive relationship with LEO for quite some time now. I have always found them very forthcoming and supportive with every aspect of my business. I have received numerous mentoring in relation to developing my e-commerce website and also numerous grant support which was invaluable to me in developing my business.”
The past couple of years has been difficult but Gene is optimistic for this Christmas and next year, “Because of the nature of my business I have had to endure full closure during certain periods of the last two years and during those periods of closure I focused with the help of LEO on developing my product range/collateral material etc. and enhancing my e-commerce website. I am optimistic for 2022 that foreign tourist footfall will return and may even increase, coupled with the strengthened support of local customers.”
The ‘Shop Waterford, Support Local’ campaign, supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, aims to raise awareness of the benefit of spending in your local area. This campaign seeks to strengthen that sentiment and to educate consumers on the domino effect that local spending has throughout their community.
The ‘Shop Waterford, Support Local’ campaign follows the national ‘Look for Local’ communications campaign to encourage the public and businesses to seek out products and services from businesses in their local area. The campaign was led by the Local Enterprise Offices and supported by Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Enterprise Ireland, and the Local Authorities.
https://osheajewellery.com/