This article is from page 62 of the 2008-10-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 62 JPG
DESPITE the recession putting chains on womens’ purses, one en- terprising Shannon businesswoman has come up with a bright idea to help keep her business in the pink.
Despite having no previous exper1- ence of running a business, Siobhan Hayes has been learning to adapt and change her fashion shop, Pink to do the necessary at the SkyCourt Shop- ping Centre in Shannon.
Hayes’ latest idea, launched just two weeks ago, allows women from the neighbouring industrial estate to buy frocks, fashions and accessories without even leaving their desk.
Pink’s online shopping site 1s prov- ing hugely popular with women shoppers who are long on style but SJaleya me) e manatee
“I often thought about how we could make it more convenient for women working in the industrial es- tate to shop. They are working very close to the town centre, but a lot of them only get half an hour for lunch. That’s just not enough time to come over, browse the rails, pick some- thing and get back to work. Then I was talking to a computer genius friend of my mine and we came up with the idea of the website.”
There are now 30 or more items
from the shop’s stock available on the site, www.prettynpink.1e.
“We can even deliver the purchases to the buyer or they can pick it up at the shop,” said Hayes.
The native of Shannon started the 1,100 sq ft unit when the new Sky- Court opened in 2004. Before that, the only self-employed experience Hayes had was in selling gel nails.
Since opening the shop, she has taken courses with the Enterprise Board in Marketing and Women in Business.
“lve always been interested in fashion and I felt there was a mar- ket for an affordable fashion shop in NJa-NeVelOVeMMcCe)eeloLMODDOTcMmMer-lmUvOlelleMOeKos women fashion at good prices. A lot of women will wear an item six or seven times and they get tired of it so they don’t want to feel they have paid is Levant be oae
She also aims to give choice for women aged from their early 20s well into their 50s.
Hayes has grown the business to employ four people.
“It hasn’t all been a walk in the park, but it’s very enjoyable,’ she told