Local businesses thrive as grants from Enterprise Ireland boost chocolatiers and glass makers
- Bon Chocolatiers was established in 2020 by chefs Georgia Quealy and Daniel Linehan.
- The business has grown from a home kitchen to a larger production facility in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
- With local enterprise support, the company is planning further expansion into retail and to employ additional staff.
In Ireland, chocolatiers Georgia Quealy and Daniel Linehan began their journey in the chocolate business by founding Bon Chocolatiers in 2020. Initially, they crafted artisanal chocolates in the kitchen of Linehan's parents’ café in Athlone and promoted their products on Instagram. Their hard work and unique offerings caught the attention of local customers, prompting them to transition into their own production kitchen located in a converted butcher’s shop. The success of their business outgrew that space, leading them to a larger unit in Tullamore, Co Offaly, the following year. Support from local enterprise offices has played a crucial role in the development of their company. The assistance included grants and training that enabled them to scale up operations and expand their workforce. Today, Bon Chocolatiers employs five individuals and, thanks to a Local Enterprise Office employment grant, plans to hire an additional team member this year. Their expansion efforts include a strong desire to further penetrate the retail market, indicating future potential growth and outreach. As they navigate the expansion of their brand, Quealy expresses her plans to take Bon Chocolatiers into retail more extensively. The supportive ecosystem provided by local enterprise institutions has been vital in not only operational growth but also the realization of broader business aspirations for small enterprises like theirs. This partnership signifies the importance of local support mechanisms in enhancing entrepreneurship and job creation in small communities across Ireland. Overall, the case of Bon Chocolatiers showcases how small businesses can thrive when the right resources and supports are in place. The strategic decisions made during their expansion journey underline the significance of leveraging local grants and training programs catered specifically towards new entrepreneurs, thereby highlighting a replicable model for other aspiring businesses.