Young Ballyfermot student creates thriving business with handmade soaps

SIOBHÁN Lennon (15) from St Dominic’s in Ballyfermot was a finalist at the Foróige Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2017 with her business, Shivveys Soaps.

The event took place in the Mansion House Dublin and the fourteen finalists managing seven start-up businesses pitched their products to a panel of expert judges from the business world.

Siobhan produces handmade soaps, which are suitable for all skin types.  She uses natural ingredients for her products, and tailors the soaps to the customer’s preference. Shivveys Soaps are being sold online on Facebook, and locally.

The finalists were from Limerick, Offaly, Sligo, Donegal and Dublin. They made the final from 1,000 young entrepreneurs who set up start-up businesses as part of the Foróige Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) programme this year. 

Products developed by the seven finalists included Laser made keyring puzzles; Gender neutral clothing; Wheelie bin clips for windy weather; Hand-made soaps for skin conditions; Hand-crafted pencil holders; Personalised dog collars; & Cosmic tie-dyed t-shirts.

Sean Campbell, Chief Executive, Foróige said, “We are so proud of all of the finalists. Entrepreneurship is a rare skill, it takes a special mix of creativity; determination; self-discipline and competitiveness to get a business off the ground.

“These young entrepreneurs have not only created high quality marketable products and thriving businesses, they have laid the foundation for their future careers and earned critical skills for the modern world.

“The level of leadership and passion the young people have shown throughout the process is phenomenal and I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate each and every finalist. 

“For the last four years the winner of our competition has gone on to take the European title. This shows there is something really special about our programme and that the young people coming through it are simply world class.” Mr Campbell finished.