​Business success in Clane

Business classes can help many entrepreneurs get their enterprise off the ground – and up and running successfully

Jo and Jason Whyte attended the Start and Grow Your Own Business night class at Scoil Mhuire, Clane Community School, Co Kildare in early 2018.

“My Kiwi husband and I live in New Zealand and had returned to spend some time in Clane, where I grew up,” said Jo. “Prior to leaving New Zealand, we had decided that we wanted to set up our own business. With Jason being a Security Engineer, it was a no brainer to pursue an electronic security business.

“The course sounded like a perfect opportunity for us as, although we knew what we wanted to do, we didn’t know where to start.”

Guest speakers
The couple found the course extremely well run and it covered everything that is involved in setting up and growing a business. “Each week, a guest speaker came in and talked to us about their field of work, from an accountant to a web designer. We were also provided with various tools and templates that we could use. The facilitator, Johnny, a business owner himself, was a wealth of knowledge which he readily and enthusiastically shared with us.”

Jo and Jason are now back in New Zealand and into the second year of business.  “We’re really pleased with where we’re at and feel that the tips and tricks passed on to us by Johnny and everyone involved in the course was a huge part in getting us up and running.”

Jo and Jason set up an electronic security company after a night class in Clane.

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A jewel of a business
 
Ciara Early always had a passion for jewellery and, a few years ago, attended jewellery making classes as part of the Adult Education courses in Scoil Mhuire. “The course was fantastic, and I learnt all the basic skills for jewellery making,” said Ciara. “My passion and confidence grew from the skills I learnt during the course.
 
“Following on from that, I set up my own jewellery business called Maiden Jewels. Scoil Mhuire’s Adult Education Department is a marvellous outlet right on our doorstep.
 
“I also attended two cookery courses and also the Cognitive Behavioural therapy course with Rita Stanford, which I loved.”

Some of the fabulous jewellery from Maiden Jewels.