“The LEO has always been there for us. They really understand the challenges for retailers, and the financial as well as emotional supports required.”

CC Creatives is a group of five independent businesses who first met when they started to trade at the Copper Coast Market in Tramore in May, 2019.

Cementique, Huggable Home, Liz Keane Art, Polly & Andy, and Sassy Jac make up the five creative businesses. For some it was their first dip into selling their products in a market setting and for others it was the first time selling at all!

With the assistance of the Local Enterprise Office, the fledgling group teamed up to sell at the Winterval Market. This was a huge success and really cemented their friendship. It also helped them realise that their products complemented each other and as a group were offering something really unique. 

Denise, owner of Huggable Home recalls those early days, “The LEO has always been there for us. Whether it’s advice, supplying mentors, promotion, Priming Grants or Digital Grants for our website. They really understand the challenges for retailers and the financial as well as emotional supports required.”

While the pandemic slowed their progress with markets, it was probably the catalyst to open a shop in the city. “We didn't even have a name but we found a location on Stephen Street. The name came to me as I love a bit of alliteration and also wanted a nod to our origins at the Copper Coast Market. And so, CC Creatives was born! 

“The little pop up shop on Stephen Street was a huge high point for us, we couldn't believe that so many people were supporting us. For the first few weeks we took online orders and handed them out the door all masked up as we were still in lockdown.

In January 2021 our pop up shop came to a close after an incredibly successful Christmas. But in November 2021, we were back with another pop up, but it was bigger and better than ever. So much so that we decided to make it permanent.”

CC Creatives opened its doors at 87 Meagher’s Quay on November 9th 2021 and even featured on RTE Nationwide. This collective of small businesses benefited from their relationship with the LEO in different ways. Whether it be mentoring, advice, online courses or grant aid.

“It is definitely difficult running an independent retail shop in the city, this will be our 5th Christmas at our current location and we are still getting the word out that we are here. Local support from customers and organisations like the LEO is fundamental to our survival and our success.

“We have a huge range of beautiful, unique gifts that people won't find on massive chain websites and by choosing us they are also choosing to support five small local businesses, as well as the numerous small business owners that we stock in our store. The majority of our products are locally designed and locally made but some of us also stock carefully curated products from across the globe which enhance our brands. By doing this we can offer the full gift shopping experience.”

Local Enterprise Office Waterford is here to help you start a business, expand an existing business or reach new markets. It provides advice, information and supports in starting up or growing your business as part of a network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices across Ireland. 

Contact your Local Enterprise Office Waterford for their latest training programmes, grants and events schedule on www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie for access to all their training support information.

To find out more about CC Creatives see, www.cc-creatives.ie