One of Donegal's youngest entrepreneurs is tapping into the sought-after craft world with a unique idea.
Letterkenny girl Síne Harris Ryan is just 10 years old and is already on her second business venture. Sine launched Shabby Chic last weekend at the Off the Street Letterkenny Food Festival and sold out all her stock in the first day.
She returned with a new batch of products on Sunday and is enjoying great success with her budding business.
Shabby Chic is a brand of Eye Chart Slogans on which Síne has printed little sayings and phrases on colourful backgrounds. She has framed them to make unique pieces of wall art and ideal gifts.
Síne tells Donegal Woman how she used her business sense to form a mini focus group to choose the perfect sayings.
“We had 15 sayings and went around all our neighbours to see what they liked. I have seven signs for sale now.
“One of them, ‘You Make My Grey Skies Blue’, was a song that my granda used to sing to me,” Síne said.
The sharp businesswoman took the opportunity to network with locals at the Letterkenny Food Festival and made connections with leaders in the Local Enterprise Office and Chamber of Commerce.
Síne will be setting up a stall at the Letterkenny Artisan Market every fortnight to sell her signs on a regular basis. The young footballer plays for the Donegal U10 team and will have to manage her time on weekends between selling signs and matches.
Síne’s mother Nicola Harris said Shabby Chic has given Síne great experiences already.
“Síne went into Browne Printers to get her signs and logo printed. She ordered 250 prints after spotting a good deal. She sold 35 at the market and has taken some online orders too,” Nicola said.
Síne is already delegating and managing staff:
“She has a wee brother who is eight years old. She employed him to mind the stall and paid him his wages,” Nicola added.
Síne’s first business, established two years ago, was based on products made with loom bands. Now with Shabby Chic, the 10-year-old is setting herself up as one to watch in Donegal’s retail world.
Follow Shabby Chic on Facebook: www.facebook.com/shabby.chic.1441
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