Owner of ‘Treats by Sylvia’ now supplies 16 locations around city

AN ENTREPRENEUR who started her own business at home during Covid has just completed the SuperValu Food Academy Programme which will stock her products at select stores this month.

It has been a roller-coaster few years for Ballyfermot woman Sylvia Kennedy, the owner of Treats by Sylvia and the “queen of cheesecakes.”

Prior to Covid she worked in an office for a security company, but remote working inspired her to develop her own business in 2021.

With the help of Ballyfermot, Chapelizod Partnership and in particular, Enterprise & Guidance officer Brendan Finn, the process of starting a business was supported.

Initially cooking from home, the venture took off, and she was supplying local businesses and events.

Today her product is in 16 locations around Dublin with “more to follow.”

Recently Sylvia opened a new kitchen in Smithfield and hired a staff member to assist with the growing business demands.

She also gave birth to a baby boy last year with her husband.

“I was luckily one of the 11 chosen in Dublin to become a food producer for SuperValu and start stocking my product from this month,” said Syliva.

“I became a new mammy in August also, a little boy, Brody, so it really has been all go.

“While on maternity leave, I used this time to work on the growth and upscale of my business.

“I worked with a brand designer to work on new branding, labelling, packaging and I completed many finance and business courses to come back stronger than ever,” said Sylvia.

“I completed the SuperValu Food Academy Programme and will be supplying to SuperValu stores around Dublin and then hopefully nationwide.

“I also supply to many corporate events like BDO Ireland, Grant Thornton Ireland & Inner City Enterprise.

“I have been invited to Grant Thorton, Citi bank and many other events as a guest speaker.”

After completing the Young Entrepreneurs programme with Inner City Enterprise in 2022, Sylvia moved into an upscale kitchen unit based in the new Enterprise Hub in Smithfield.

“Brendan Finn, who had worked with the Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership and helped me with the setup of my business, now works with Inner City Enterprise.

We set up a meeting with Evanne the CEO who had a unit available to rent and we went for it.

“I also hired a kitchen assistant Daniel Bradley.

“He is a great addition to the business.

“Last week I purchased a fridge van so I now also have my first van on the road for getting the stock delivered, which is great!”

Sylvia also credits a business expansion grant last year from the LEO office which was a “massive help and support towards my business.”