Carissa Casey talks to Irish entrepreneurs who explain how, in a downturn, they decided to branch out on their own and are now happier on the other side

'If I can pay wages and keep people in employment, that's as good as it gets'

The economic downturn had an upside for 32-year-old John Sheridan who, for many years, wanted to open his own butcher's shop.

During the boom, the rents being charged for such shops were astronomical, he says. As the recession began to bite, landlords dropped their expectations and for the first time, Sheridan was able to consider making his dream a reality.

In September of this year, the father of three pulled up the shutters on his own premises at Monkstown Farm, Co Dublin (www. johnsmeatco.ie).

First, though, he had to raise finance from the bank and that proved a major hurdle. A friend ended up providing a security deposit and the loan was also secured against the family home.

How have things been since the launch?

"It's going in the right direction," John says.

"I set very achievable targets and I've met them so far."

"There has been a change of attitude among consumers. You can see it the minute they walk into the shop. They're looking for value for money."

It's also been hard work. John has put in 75-hour weeks. "There's no option, you have to put the time in," he says.

He employs one butcher full-time and another part-time to cover days off.

John admits that he's worried about next year. "I try not to listen to people moaning, but there seems to be a lot of anxiety about how bad things are going to get.

"All I can do is the best I can. I can't change the economy. If I can pay the bills and wages, keep people in employment, that's as good as it gets these days.

"Things will turn around at some point."

'It's better than expected. We're making money'

In September 2008, Sara Mitchell gave birth to baby Samuel. Two weeks later, her husband Gavin McCarthy lost his job.

"It wasn't entirely unexpected since he worked in property development. I was working for myself as a marketing consultant and the work there was running out too," Gavin says.

Samuel is now 16 months old and his parents have their own thriving business selling rotisserie chickens.

Poulet Bonne Femme (www.pouletbonnefemme.com) which opened in May of this year, supplies chickens roasted, continental-style, on a spit.

"We'd had these type of chickens in France and loved them. They're very tasty and very healthy because they don't sit in fat as they cook."

After several months of researching various business ideas, Sara and Gavin decided to raise a loan and import two rotisserie machines from a French company. The bank was helpful, she says.

"I suppose we had all our figures done in detail and were clear about what we planned to do."

Initially the couple sold their chickens at farmers' markets in the Leinster area. Then they branched out to making and selling casseroles and chicken wings.

"A full chicken costs €12.50, which is not a crazy price. We were careful about that at the outset. People can buy half or quarter chickens. They're good quality and free range. We decided not to go the organic route because it would have meant that the product was so much more expensive."

The couple attend six farmers' markets a week and also have a permanent trailer in Ranelagh manned by a full-time employee.

More recently, they've started to do catering for parties, an area Sara plans to expand further in the New Year.

"I've been really happy with the first six months of trading. It's better than we expected. We're making money and it's made a real difference to our lives," she says.

'I've learned more this year than in my entire life'

Michael Goggin worked in the promotional merchandising sector before taking a year out to travel. By the time he arrived in Australia, he realised that he was ready to focus.

"I don't quite know why, but I was suddenly determined to set up on my own," he says. "I decided to stick with the merchandising business and on the way back to Ireland I called at several suppliers and arranged deals with them."

Creative Impressions (www.creativeimpressions.ie) now employs four people in Limerick and this summer opened a Dublin office.

It's been tough, Michael admits. But the company has some big-name clients, such as Boylesports, Cuisine de France and Senator Windows.

"We provide these companies with promotional products like t-shirts and pens, personalised with their logo. A lot of companies have gone to ground this year but I think the smart ones know how important it is to keep their name out there."

Goggin puts his success so far down to "a lot of knocking on doors". And having the confidence to take a risk.

"I'm really keen to break into the Dublin market at the moment because that will keep us moving forward," he says.

"However difficult it is, I think I've learned more in the last year than I have done in my entire life. I mean no disrespect to anyone but it was fairly easy to make money in the last 10 or 15 years.

"Now it's not so easy but it's certainly possible."

'People kept telling me that my match-making site was a great idea'

Aoife Cooling admits she's a romantic at heart. For the last two years she has talked about setting up a dating agency with a difference. But she lacked confidence, she says.

"People I knew kept telling me it was a great idea and to go for it. For whatever reason, this was the year I finally decided to do it."

Fairway Friends (www.fairwayfriends.ie) is a golf socialising site which arranges golf outings for single men and women. The website went live in October this year and has already clocked up more than 100 members. Aoife has funded the entire enterprise from her own money. For the moment, she works as a freelance photographer but, by early next year, she expects to work for her new company full-time.

"When I was single, I tried a few of these online dating sites and I just found it really nerve-wracking. I thought if there was an activity involved, something you had in common with the 'date', then it would be a lot easier. I went for golf because I knew the area, but I'm branching out now into wine-tasting events and cooking courses," she says.

Many of the members are in the 50-plus age bracket, the type of people who wouldn't normally opt for online dating. Some are divorced or separated or widowed and keen to make new friends, as well as meet members of the opposite sex.

"I match people up personally," says Aoife. "The way it works is that we arrange for two single women to play golf with two single men. That way, it isn't so scary for people. Often the women or the men might become friends afterwards. Walking around the golf course, out in nature, it's a great way of getting to know someone," she says.

Fairway Friends operates in the Leinster area at the moment, but Aoife plans to extend it nationwide early next year. "I'm getting a lot of interest from outside Leinster -- people who might have previously socialised in the local pub but don't now because of the drink-driving laws."

Aoife also believes her business is fairly recession proof. "I think, in lots of ways, the economic downturn has put more emphasis on friendships and relationships. It's what's most important, after all."

'I haven't paid myself a huge salary'

Twenty-seven-year-old Julie Cobb studied law at UCC but was uninspired by a career as a solicitor. She moved to London and worked at a bridal company and, later, studied to be an image consultant.

She was travelling in Australia when she decided she wanted to set up her own business. "My Dad has had his own business for 30 years, so I suppose it was in my blood," she says.

Julie's new company, Stylefish (www.stylefish.ie), launched in March of this year.

"We run seven-week style and fashion courses for women," says Julie. "We teach them how to dress, do their make-up, style their hair. It's not a makeover as such. We aim to give women the knowledge and confidence to go shopping for themselves and decide what styles and colours suit them."

Laois-based Julie left a job to start the company. "I realised at the time it was a risk but I was determined to do it," she says. "I haven't run a business during the boom times so I've nothing really to compare with my experience so far.

"I suppose I would be doing better if there wasn't a recession but I'm pleased with where I'm at."

The courses cost €299. Most of the women attending are working mums, women who have had a few children and want to learn how to dress for their new shape.

Julie's biggest expense is her website. After that, she has running costs in terms of hiring venues for the courses. At the moment, they are run in seven counties. In 2010, she plans to start courses in Kilkenny and Cork.

Julie was disappointed to find there were no networking groups specifically for people working in the fashion and beauty area, so she set up her own Style Network, which has already held two events.

"That's probably something I wouldn't have done if there wasn't a recession. I think, at the moment, people really need that networking support. At least I feel I do."

At the end of her first nine months in business, Julie has made a healthy profit.

"I haven't paid myself a huge salary but I have covered all my costs and it's nice to be in profit already," she says.

'What sets us apart is that we have really focused on innovation'

Gerry Diamond worked as an engineer in the food and drink sector for many years before he decided to set up a company with some partners. Vellow started business in Dublin in March of this year, managing the cooling units belonging to drinks companies in shops around the country.

"We developed a new tool which allows them to manage these units online," Gerry explains. "Administration issues that would have taken two to three weeks before can now happen in seconds."

The company has a contract with Britvic Ireland, for example, and manages everything about the company's cooling units, from purchase to maintenance through to disposal. It employed three new people this year. Over the next 12 months, Diamond is confident that the company will grow by 15-25pc.

"I think what sets us apart is that we've really focused on innovation. We work closely with our clients to improve their efficiency and that's what all companies are looking for these days.

"Every day we're looking for ways of improving our product and service for our customers. It takes us just a week from getting a good idea to putting it into action," he says.

Diamond believes his own experience of the industry is helping make the company a success.

"Among the partners here, we know about marketing, engineering, finance and software, all at senior level in the food and drinks industry. Other companies may be providing a similar service but we believe we've taken it to a whole new level."