Please note that this programme is only available to clients within the LEO Cork North & West catchment area. If you make a booking for this programme and are based outside of our catchment area, we will notify you to cancel your place and will re-direct you to your own Local Enterprise Office for training.

‘Grow your Creative Business’ training is a MUST for those working in gift, craft, design, textiles, skincare, homewares and creatives who need a business focus for their artistic enterprise. It features 4 training workshops and one to one mentoring with leading craft and design specialists and practitioners Aideen Bodkin and Meabh Ring.  This is made for new and existing creative businesses that want to inject fresh ideas and approaches to product development and sales. Boost your business ambition with design led and trade focused workshops specifically for the creative sector. This programme is designed to give you the tools to brand and sell your current work; to make you consider new products/ranges and suggest strategies for growing your Creative business. 

“Grow your Creative Business - Brand, Design & Pricing for Craft & Design.”

Dates:  Thursday, 7th March, 2024.  10:00am to 1:30pm in Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig

             Thursday, 14th March, 2024.  10:00am to 1:30pm via zoom, delivered online.

             Thursday, 11th April, 2024.  10.00am to 1:30pm via zoom, delivered online.

             Thursday, 18th April, 2024.  10:00am to 1:30pm in Oriel House Hotel Ballincollig and via ZOOM

Starting on 7th March 2024, the programme‘s objectives over the 8 weeks include:

• Insight into the gift, design and craft sector in Ireland and how to trade within.
• Enhance your craft / design / creative products, engage in a Design Challenge.
• Help you Brand your creative work effectively.
• Cost, price and understand margins and mark up in our creative sector.
• 4 morning training workshops.
• Bespoke 1-to-1 mentor sessions.

Workshop 1. Branding & Consumer Motivation in Gift, Craft & Design Purchases.

Thursday 7th March 2024  10:00am to 1:30pm in Ballincollig

This first workshop will give an overview of the gift, design and craft sector in Ireland, top tips and industry trends in retailing, consumer motivation and sales strategy. Content will offer guides on how to grow and sustain a creative business. Give you an overview of the ‘Design Challenge’ and allocate one to one mentoring sessions.  Clients are asked to attend in person to meet with Meabh and Aideen and communicate their product offer.  IN PERSON only.

Workshop 2. ‘Introduction to Design Thinking process’.

Thursday 14th March 2024.  10:00am to 1:30pm via zoom, delivered online.

How it applies to New Product development and prototyping in gift, craft and design. How Design Thinking can clarify Branding and allow consumer empathy and grow sales. VIA ZOOM

Workshop 3: Costings and Pricing, and the product ‘Design Challenge’.

Thursday 18th April 2024.  10.00am to 1:30pm via zoom, delivered online.

Costing and Pricings- Route to Market. One of the key issues for the Creative Sector is understanding the costs to make and sell and then the price to charge in the different channels, such as mark up and margin.   VIA ZOOM

Workshop 4: ‘The Next Steps to Growth and Sales’.

Thursday 18th April 2024.  10:00am to 1:30pm via zoom and in person.

Review of current individual trading circumstances and creating a plan of action for growth.  Using the principles of the ‘Design Thinking’, participants will be asked to apply this template to their own specific business so as to identify what products sell to what type of consumers and how to communicate their brand and increase sales. A HYBRID, both in person and in Zoom.

Meet the Coordinators, Meabh and Aideen, “Growing your Creative Business - Brand, Design & Pricing for Craft & Design.”

Meabh Ring has worked in the creative sector for over 20 years first as a product designer, later as a retailer and now as a business advisor and mentor. She works with designers and makers in the various stages of business development as they defined their brand, craft products and seek sales. Meabh has worked with craft, design and retail businesses in marketing, sales and export. With this experience she has gained knowledge, understanding and insight into creative industries and their business needs.  Meabh has worked on key international trade shows in the USA and UK as well as Showcase Ireland.  She has worked with Enterprise Ireland, the Crafts Council of Ireland, Creative Ireland, UCC, MTU as well as the Local Enterprise Offices nationally to support creative businesses.

Aideen Bodkin is one of Ireland leading fashion designer and co-founder of the Irish Council of Fashion Designer.  Within her fashion label Aideen Bodkin Design she created an international designer ladies-wear collection producing top quality tailored garments. Her collection has been worn by Presidents, diplomats and TV personalities.  In 2011 she was awarded ‘Woman of the Year in Fashion Design’ by Irish Tatler. Aideen later diversified her creative business to offer bespoke Designer Uniforms to corporate customers, including an international airline. Her interest in creativity and entrepreneurship lead to her become a mentor and trainer with the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices nationally.. 
“Aideen has fused her work in art, fashion and design with her zeal for sustainable practices in manufacturing and sales.  She is a graduate of UCD’s ‘Design Thinking for Sustainability’ and works to provide eco-friendly guides to designers, makers and crafters within their business.”