Antoinette Moore, founder of Pyramid Holistic Centre, and Lisa Breslin, founder of Imagine Lab, are calling on female entrepreneurs from Donegal to join the ACORNS programme.

Both are past participants in the development initiative to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.

Applications are open for the next cycle of the free business development programme, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

The deadline for applications for this special 10th anniversary cycle is midnight, September 20th.

Antoinette Moore is the founder of Pyramid Holistic Centre and Spa, a family-run business based in Carrigans, east Donegal, providing courses in reflexology, massage and aromatherapy, as well as therapy courses accredited by the International Therapy Exam Council and Federation of Holistic Therapy.

Her mission is to help people wishing to change careers or take their existing career in therapy to the next level. Antoinette was a participant on ACORNS 7.

ACORNS Community Forum and ACORNS 9 Celebration Antoinette Moore, Pyramid Holistic Centre, Donegal and Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity in the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. Pic Orla Murrray/Coalesce

Antoinette says: “The ACORNS programme equipped us with the guidance and tools necessary to adopt a growth-oriented approach to our business. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate. The access to Lead Entrepreneurs was exceptional, providing invaluable support in developing innovative strategies and incorporating visual planning into our day-to-day operations.”

Lisa Breslin is the founder of Imagine Lab, a multidisciplinary design service catering to domestic and international clients. Lisa has been working in creative industry for more than 20 years, including spells with the BBC, Channel 5, Yahoo, Google, and Lloyds Bank. She was a participant on ACORNS 7. The company is based in Stranorlar.

ACORNS Community Forum and ACORNS 9 Celebration Lisa Breslin, Imagine Lab Design, Donegal and Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity in the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. Pic Orla Murrray/Coalesce

Lisa Breslin says: “The ACORNS experience was pretty special. It’s a community of like-minded females that support and lead each other. It’s an amazing programme. Starting out was a lonely experience, trying to do it all, but what I didn’t realise is that there is amazing support out there. I would recommend anyone thinking about running a business or at early stages to do this programme.”

There are up to 50 places available for ACORNS 10. Those wishing to receive an application form should register on the website (www.acorns.ie).

This year’s voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs are Alison Ritchie, Polar Ice; Caroline Reidy, The HR Suite; Eimer Hannon, Hannon Travel; Larissa Feeney, Kinore; Mary B Walsh, Ire Wel Pallets; and Triona MacGiolla Rí, Aró Digital Strategies.

In addition, a series of regional Gatherings for ACORNS Community members will be held in the autumn to celebrate 10 years of the initiative. These Gatherings will provide an opportunity for previous ACORNS participants to reconnect, network with other ACORNS from different cycles in their region and focus on the continuing and further development of their businesses.

The free initiative for early-stage female entrepreneurs is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM).