Local businesses in running for the SFA National Awards
By Maurice Garvey
A COUPLE of local businesses have been nominated as finalists for the SFA National Small Business Awards 2021.
Timbertrove in Rathfarnham and Mezzo Music Academy in Terenure, will face off against other small businesses around the country in the SFA Business Connect event on February 11, 2021.
Timbertrove is located at the foot of the Dublin Mountains
Established by Sonya Murphy-Lyons in 2011, Mezzo Music Academy received a highly commended accolade at the SFA National Small Business Awards 2018 - in the outstanding small business category.
Shirley O’Kelly MIMI, Director/Financial Controller, Timbertrove, said the established family business are “delighted” to be chosen as a finalist in the awards.
“With over 30 years experience in the design, manufacture and installation of top-quality timber products this has been a very challenging year for us,” said Ms O’Kelly.
Located at the foot of the Dublin mountains in Kilakee, near the Hell Fire Club, Timbertrove was founded in 1986 by Henry & Shirley O’Kelly, and evolved from a timber based business to one that incorporates a popular café.
“When we were locked down in March, we decided to stay positive and take the opportunity to have a fresh look at the business,” said Shirley.
“We made improvements to our website and online ordering system. We set up a ‘click and collect’ and contactless deliveries to keep our staff and customers safe. We also increased our followers on Facebook and Instagram.”
As the café had to remain closed for longer, Ms O’Kelly said their focus was on increasing the takeaway business to “make up for loss of sales in the café and secure jobs for our staff.”
“We installed new outdoor seating in our garden sheds and set up indoor seating with heaters in our barn. We noticed as more people were working from home, they wanted to treat themselves to our home baked cakes and sandwiches, and set up online ordering and offered corporate deliveries.
“We have just added a Christmas selection box with our Timbertrove Signature Scones with jam and cream or a selection of mince pies and muffins for €20.”
Currently, only outdoor seating is available at the moment due to Covid. Customers don’t need to book ahead, but they advise pre booking selection boxes by phone or online.
O’Kelly thanked the local community for the “tremendous support” they received this year and is looking forward to 2021.
“Our business model has changed for the better.”
Sue O’Neill, Chair of the SFA Awards judging panel, said the quality of businesses represented this year, indicates “entrepreneurship is alive and well in Ireland.”
“The SFA National Small Business Awards are now entering their 17th consecutive year and are a celebration of small business owners who since 2015 have created over 73,000 jobs.
The 266,400 small firms in Ireland employ half of the private sector workforce and these awards aim to promote excellence, achievement and innovation amongst these companies in all sectors and parts of the country.
The companies that have been announced as finalists this year represent all that is good about small business,” said O’Neill.
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