Cloughjordan business chosen for You're The Business campaign

GOOGLE, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) have selected 21 SME’s from across Ireland to secure a truly unique, money- can't-buy prize as part of the You’re The Business campaign. Tipperary SMEs; anewmum, Riot Rye Bakehouse and Bread School from Cloughjordan and Bánór were among the 21 named. Now in its second year, You’re the Business is a training and mentoring programme that aims to accelerate Irish SME growth through digitalisation.

In addition to the training, You’re the Business features a competition element to recognise and reward SMEs that have demonstrated a commitment to digital at different stages of their growth journey - from those who have launched a website, through to those who are just starting to export. Entrants were asked to submit a video no longer than two minutes in duration, detailing what their business means to them and an example of how they have used digital to drive/grow/enhance their business.

Winners will receive a digital support package from Google which includes €1,000 Google ads credit, as well as one on one consultations with experts that will help them to further develop and grow their business. The selected businesses are invited to attend a celebratory event at Google’s The Foundry later this year.

Riot Rye Bakehouse and Bread School and Online Store is a family-run business, based in Cloughjordan Ecovillage. They specialise in producing highly nutritious, sourdough breads for the local community and teaching others to bake sourdough breads through a multi award-winning Bread School.

Speaking about their digital journey, Julie Lockett of Riot Rye said: “Over the past decade we have used digital platforms to transform our woodfired bakery from a physically demanding workspace to a globally recognised, multi award-winning sourdough Bread School and Store. Recently, we have underpinned this growth by expanding our online baking community. This online community receives free baking tips and support through our weekly newsletter which also acts as a connector between bakers, millers and growers in Ireland. We are really proud to earn our livelihood by running an ethically friendly business which also provides work in the local community.”

Nicola Lyons, Co-Founder of Bánór who create and develop beauty and wellness products from sheep's milk and wool said: "Digital is an invaluable tool for a small business as it opens up a world of opportunity to build awareness and reach new customers. For us in particular, using social media to tell our story and show how special sheep milk is has been very important. We are excited to take our digital footprint to the next level with You're The Business."

Marian Kennedy, Founder of anewmum, a wellness company that develops and produces hygiene and comfort products for new mums postpartum said: “I'm over the moon to have been selected as a winner of You’re the Business. As an early stage startup I really feel this can help increase our online presence and help generate more revneue in order for our company to grow. Our main aim is to help educate and support new mothers with our postpartum products.”

Cera Ward, Managing Director of Google Ireland said: “In Ireland, over 90% of all enterprises stand within the SME bracket. SMEs like Chimac and those we are celebrating today are an integral part of the economy generating employment and providing services across the country. Business owners know that in order to reach Irish consumers, 90% of whom are active online, they need to ensure their online presence is at its best. You’re the Business helps SMEs to do just that, through training that is available on our dedicated site. We’ve been proud to partner with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices in the delivery of the You’re the Business programme and I want to congratulate all the winners announced today, I look forward to seeing how they use this prize to support continued growth.”

Richard Murphy, head of LEO Support and Co-ordination Unit at Enterprise Ireland said: “The role of digital in the evolution and growth of any SME has never been so keenly felt than over the past number of years. Companies have had to become more agile and digitally adept to survive and thrive. Opening up and sharing Google’s expertise in digital with SMEs across Ireland is a huge step forward in helping these companies to maximise their online presence and growth potential. Many congratulations to the winners announced today. We wish them continued success and look forward to supporting them as they grow both here in Ireland and hopefully internationally in the years to come.”

The foundation of You’re the Business is a digital upskill programme. It is a Google initiative developed in partnership with EI and the LEOs that delivers on-demand training online, e-learning courses, and tools and other resources to SMEs in Ireland to help them upskill digitally.