Fresh Start Success!

 Over 75 delegates came to hear David McKernan, Entrepreneur and Founder of Java Republic, who spoke at a Local Enterprise Office free business start-up information seminar in Waterford this week.

Other speakers included Ciaran Cullen of the Local Enterprise office in Waterford, Liam Murphy from the Department of Social Protection and Sarah Flynn, Unique Aquatics & Fitness, a local and successful product of last year’s start your own business course.

Java Republic founder to address Local Enterprise Office Free Business Start - up seminar

David McKernan of Java Republic

David McKernan, Irish entrepreneur and founder of Java Republic is to speak at a Local Enterprise Office free business start-up information seminar in the Tower hotel onWednesday May 28^th.

All the economic signs show that Ireland is emerging from the financial crisis.  This means that there has not been a better time in years to investigate starting your own business.  With this in mind the new Local Enterprise Office for Waterford has organised Fresh Start, a free business start-up information seminar for those that have left education, been made redundant or about to be made redundant. 

The first Fresh Start seminar was held in September 2009, repeated in January 2011 and May 2013. The combined results of these events led to an estimated 320 jobs.  As one participant, Mary Doherty of Granny Maddox, said “The Fresh Start Seminar in January 2011 gave me the information and the motivation to get where I am today, self-employed, much busier and much happier.”

The key note speaker David McKernan is a persistent, passionate and high-spirited entrepreneur, who has inspired and irritated in equal measure throughout a successful career in coffee. He emerged from the cocoon of Bewley’s to found Java Republic Roasting Company in 1999: This innovative company quickly became one of Ireland’s most successful brands, and one of Europe’s leading coffee companies. Java Republic is notable for a distinctive vision: Premium, fresh handroasted coffee – with a conscience. 

From day one, David’s aim was to raise awareness of real coffee quality and to challenge abysmally low ethical standards in the coffee business. Both goals were soon achieved: Java Republic’s coffee has won multiple awards for taste and quality, while those who grow their coffee beans saw fairer prices, and improved living standards from direct aid and infrastructure projects.

Whilst stewarding Java Republic through some of the most challenging times any business could face, he developed a reputation as a motivational speaker and campaigner for physical fitness as a driver for positive mental health. David is an engaging, charismatic and entertainingly egotistical speaker, who connects with audiences like a perfectly poured espresso. With nearly 12 years of success in Ireland, David is now focussing on bringing his unique brand of superb coffee and straight talking to an international audience.

Other speakers include Ciaran Cullen of the Local Enterprise office in Waterford, Liam Murphy from the Department of Social Protection, Siobhan O'Callaghan from Irish Franchising Skillnet and Sarah Flynn, Unique Aquatics & Fitness, a local and successful product of last year’s start your own business course.

  

Ciarán Cullen of the Local Enterprise Office in Waterford, suggests that “this is a good time to start a business, while set-up costs are still low and there are very good supports in place.  In the Enterprise Office we are launching new ‘Start You Own Business’ and ‘RECON’ programmes in early June which will help any new business set the right course for a better future.” 

Fresh Start is free but registration is essential.  For more information or to register please contact your Local Enterprise Office in Waterford on 051-852883 or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie .  

First Annual Marigold Festival for South East's seniors

Waterford will host the first annual Marigold Festival on Tuesday, May 13^th in the Tower Hotel. The event is free of charge and will share the latest insights on how to live a healthy and active life and to maintain that lifestyle well into retirement. 

Author and former governor of Mountjoy Prison, John Lonergan will be the guest of honour and will be on hand to speak about what active retirement means to him. He said, “Sometimes for those of us approaching our older years, we may slow down and become less active. The Marigold Festival is a reminder that life is for living and that we can continue to live a fun, full and active life no matter our age. It’s an opportunity for the local community to come together and help each other to live life to the full whether we are 30, 60 or 80 years of age”. 

Other interesting guests include Dr Sabina Brennan of Trinity College Dublin who will talk about the importance of maintaining a healthy and active mind. 

A carvery lunch is available, along with health screenings, line dancing, music as well as a full-programme of inspiring and informative talks.  The event runs from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

The festival has been brought to Waterford by Active Retirement Ireland in conjunction with Home Instead Senior Care. Both organisations are committed to living a happy, healthy and independent life and have come together to bring a positive, fun-filled day of activities to the local community.  

“At Home Instead Senior Care, we believe in living life to the full. The Marigold Festival is for people who are young at heart and believe life is for living. Attendees will avail of valuable information while also partaking in fun activities. It’s an event not to be missed”, says Danette Connolly, Director of Care, Home Instead Senior Care. 

Margaret Bennett Moore, Chairperson of the South East Region of Active Retirement Ireland said: “Waterford has a vibrant community of people 60+ and there is no better place to launch this very special festival. It’s a celebration of life and we are sure it will be a successful day filled with laughter and learning”.

The Marigold Festival is a celebration of life with attendees of all ages enjoying a fun day out, showcasing the fact that a full active life is not reserved for the young. 

For more information please call Danette Connolly, Home Instead Senior Care on (051) 333 966.