Louth LEO celebrate ten years

Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Louth marks its tenth anniversary this month, celebrating a decade of supporting local businesses across the county.

Part of Louth County Council and supported by Enterprise Ireland, LEO Louth works to foster entrepreneurship and provide supports to underpin the growth and sustainability of businesses in Louth. 

Pamela Kerr, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, reflects on the milestone, explaining: “Over the past ten years, the team at LEO Louth have had the pleasure of supporting a diverse range of businesses that are the backbone of our local economy. From start-ups to scale-ups, our role is to nurture enterprise in Louth, and provide the right support as businesses grow.” 

LEO client companies receive support tailored to their business needs. Some are helped through expert training, mentoring and business advice, while others access grants to help with investment in machinery or to expand into international markets. 

Local businesses describe LEO Louth as “welcoming”, “supportive” and “empowering”. 

Donal Geraghty of Data Analytics IT Consultancy Seapark Consultancy explains that: “Business Expansion and TAME grants from LEO Louth allowed our company to grow from one to eight employees to meet market demand”.

David Kieran of award winning marketing agency ZOMA agrees: “The LEO Louth team have helped our company to reach our true potential, both through expert mentoring and expansion supports.”

Dundalk based ceramicist Sarah McKenna talked about the consistency of support:

“Right from the very start of my business, their support made a difference. The craft sector is a balance between art and business and the team in LEO Louth have given me the confidence to keep moving my business forward, expanding into new markets and taking the business online.

“They have also been instrumental in helping me design the environmental sustainability strategy for Sarah McKenna Ceramics, which is very important for our future.”

In the fields outside Drogheda, Marita Collier grows her renowned Drummond House Garlic, which is acclaimed by top chefs all over Ireland and Europe:

“LEO Louth have worked with me and my business over the last 8 years through numerous support programmes. Their support, advice and passion to assist new businesses has had a very positive impact on the growth and development of our business.

“The choice of programmes, funding, and workshops they offer shows that they understand what’s happening now and are always looking ahead to understand what business will need next. It’s an invaluable resource for any business owner.”

Founder and CEO of My Forever Tooth Fairy Emma Duffy explains: “starting a business can be a lonely journey, but the team from LEO Louth are always there. When I approached them first, my business was simply an idea. But they had the right supports to help me to develop that concept and build a strong foundation.

“I’ve taken part in top class training and had advice from their expert mentors. Access to feasibility support and New Frontiers means that both I and my business are now ready for the future. My advice to anyone with a business idea is to contact LEO Louth straight away – they’ll set you on the right path.” 

Pamela Kerr of LEO Louth concludes: “The last 10 years have been full of challenges for small businesses. We’ve helped them navigate through Brexit, COVID-19, the sustained cost of living challenges and increased focus on digitalisation and sustainability. We have always been dedicated to supporting the enterprise community in Louth.”

Pamela continued: “Our training, workshops, mentoring, networking events, and financial supports will continue to empower entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey.

“As we look to the future our team, in partnership with LEOs across the country, will continue to introduce new programmes that will provide local businesses with the essential skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

“Visit www.localenterprise.ie/louth/readyto to find out more and talk to our team about how our supports can help your business to thrive.”