List of Retail Sector Mentors
Aisling Hurley has over 10 years experience of creative leadership, with a comprehensive understanding of global market dynamics (co-founder teamwoodcraft.com). Has led creative projects and teams for international brands such as Laurence Lewellyn Bowen, British Airways, HSS, Menarini, Covalen. Pioneer in fusing AI with creative processes, enhancing innovation and efficiency. She has designed digital marketing campaigns that resonate across diverse cultures and is experienced in fostering cohesive team development through the strategic use of technology and creative methodologies. In her role as a design strategist, Aisling has developed numerous industry-focused initiatives that drive growth and innovation across a broad spectrum of companies, from start-ups to multinationals. Her expertise includes shaping strategic direction for the implementation of business, product, and service innovations for industry partners. She lectures in various universities including SETUs MBA where she leads programmes that apply strategic design methodologies and her designer’s framework to stimulate innovation and creative problem-solving. She is also the host of The SME Community Podcast. Key Skills - Digital Marketing Science, National & International Markets, Innovation & Creativity, Business Strategy, Emerging Tech Trends including AI, AR, XR, Corporate Governance.
Cyril & Niamh Byrne the visionary owners behind Ruby Rouge and Varoom Ltd, bring their extensive expertise to their new business consultancy. With a proven track record in building successful ecommerce, retail, and tech businesses, they are dedicated to guiding clients toward sustainable growth and innovation. Niamh and Cyril’s hands-on experience in these sectors equips them with unique insights and strategies tailored to each client's needs. Their consultancy offers comprehensive advice on digital transformation, market expansion, and operational efficiency. Partner with Niamh and Cyril to unlock your business’s full potential, leveraging their industry knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit. Let their passion and expertise help you navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape.
Karen Sommerville is the owner of Call Focus, specialists in “effective customer communications”, by helping companies develop customer relations, maximise opportunities, increase productivity and grow sales by focusing on how engage and communicate with customers. With over 30 years’ experience, Karen has worked in many areas of sales and marketing extending across a wide range of industry sectors for both the business and consumer markets. An experienced trainer and mentor, Karen has worked with many of the leading business associations, Skillnet groups, Local Enterprise Offices, in addition to private clients. Karen’s areas of expertise range from helping individuals explore the commercialisation of a business to devising a business plan and strategy (including vision, mission and values). She helps entrepreneurs to develop self-motivation and belief, deal with rejection and manage resilience. Time management is key including goal setting, managing productivity, decision making and prioritisation. She provides guidance in finance (overview), cash flow management, pricing, and budgets. She has a deep understanding of many areas of sales, marketing and customer service from devising strategies, to new market identification, customer profiling and segmentation. Market research, market diversification, sales channels, routes to market, brand development and campaign planning. Other areas include sales forecasting, lead generation and building a sales pipeline using a CRM database. Customer acquisition and retention programmes, customer centric ethos and conflict management. Through her training, she helps to train teams by building their motivation, awareness, confidence and skills. Karen’s holds a degree in Business Studies and has qualifications in Training, Mentoring & Managing People, Advertising and Computer Applications Programming. She is a member of the Marketing Institute and the Learning & Development Institute in Ireland. Karen has a Diploma in Mind Coaching (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and is a SATIR Coaching and Mentoring Specialist. She has studied European Consumer Law through the “Consumer Ready Law” European programme.
Kate Hickey is a Business Consultant and Executive Director of the Ireland Canada Business Association and Director of the Valentia Cable Foundation. As a Consultant to Department of Trade Newfoundland for ten years Kate provided strategic trade consultancy services to over 95 Canadian SME’s. Previously Marketing Manager with Laura Ashley, Kate has proven skills in retail marketing, branding, PR strategies and buyer engagement. As Experienced Marketing Director and Consultant for Enterprise Ireland Kate works with CEO’s of early stage companies focusing on Strategy and Export Market Development. Equipped with an MBA from Smurfit School of Business Kate works with clients in implementing market entry and sales strategies and is a mentor and trainer with DCCI.
Mags Boland-Murphy. In 2011, after over 20 years working in executive and management roles in the commercial arena, Mags established Bofin Consultancy to help businesses and professionals with development, operational challenges, marketing, operations, specific business challenges, scalability, profit planning and strategy. A business mentor with Enterprise Ireland, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Intertrade Ireland, the LEO network nationwide, an approved mentor for Fáilte Ireland and is accredited with the International Authority of Business mentors. All Star awarded, accredited and experienced tourism & hospitality consultant, national event manager, business sales, marketing & media professional; working with clients nationwide in Ireland, UK and Sweden in the following sectors: Tourism & hospitality, food, retail, construction, media, sports, manufacturing, professional services, SMEs, start-ups, public sector and business support organisations. The business provides professional business growth, advisory and consultancy services including; training, scaling for balance, leadership, business development, business mentoring, sales, marketing, tourism consultancy and tailored solutions
Norma Quinsey brings extensive experience in marketing with a specialized focus on tourism, having worked with and consulted for numerous attractions in the South East. Her expertise in marketing of the sector has made her a leader in driving visitor engagement and fostering strong community connections with the customer experience the main priority. Passionate about training and development, Norma actively shares her knowledge through industry bodies and committees, supporting sustainable growth and empowering others in the tourism sector.
Ruth Larkin is a serial industry entrepreneur, having founded and scaled multi-million euro businesses in a number of sectors including, international distribution of luxury consumer products and manufacturing and global sales of municipal vehicles. Her focus is on market validation, market entry strategy, commercialisation, expansion, management and strategy. She has extensive experience in professional services, consumer goods, retail and distribution, design and manufacturing, health, fitness and wellbeing, fintech and cosmetics.
Una McGoey is Founder of Anu Change, a trade and enterprise professional with over 25 years’ experience across financial services, enterprise development and commercial growth. Most recently, she worked as Senior Trade Specialist with InterTrade Ireland, supporting SME growth, export readiness and cross border trade initiatives. Una specialises in export readiness, market expansion, leadership and business growth, helping SMEs, start-ups and owner managed businesses improve performance, scale sustainably and explore new opportunities. A former President of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, she brings extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and SME support, working collaboratively with enterprise agencies, government departments and business networks. She also contributes through advisory, board and judging roles. Her qualifications include QFA, Professional Diploma in Financial Services (Professional Banker NFQ Level 8), Professional Diploma in AI for Business (NFQ Level 9), LEAN Six Sigma Green Belt, and coaching and leadership accreditations.
