Turn on the style with a digital transformation
Companies are learning how to improve efficiency and cut costs through the use of technology thanks to their local enterprise offices
Published: October 20, 2024
Journalist: Sandra O’Connell
Client Featured: Soul Boutique, All Star Heating, Crossogue Preserves, Corby Hair and Beauty Supplies
This article features several businesses we worked with through the LEO Digital for Business programme.
Soul Boutique
Bernie Griffin — Longford — fashion, capsule wardrobes
When Bernie Griffin’s boss decided to close the Longford boutique where she worked, she took over the lease and opened her own store. In April 2023 she launched Soul Boutique, specialising in timeless staples for capsule wardrobes designed to outlast fast-fashion trends.
As the company’s sole employee, everything falls on her — social media, stock takes, the lot. Through Digital for Business, she implemented a simple stock control solution she can use from her phone or laptop. The system tells her how many dresses she has from each brand, what’s selling, and what’s not.
“Because I’ve no staff, everything is on me — social media, stock takes, everything — which can be very overwhelming. The new system has been a complete and utter lifeline.”
— Bernie Griffin, Soul Boutique
Also featured in this article
All Star Heating
Janet & James Boyle — Mayo — eco-friendly fuels wholesale, established 2017
Janet and James Boyle wholesale eco-friendly fuels to shops and garages around the country, employing four people and moving to a new distribution warehouse in Claremorris. Previously their sales rep wrote information on paper, which was then input into spreadsheets. Working with their LEO consultant, they set up a simple digital system that lets the rep key orders directly into an iPad on the road. It also acts as a CRM tool, recording sales notes, pricing and volume details.
“Now, when we have our weekly sales meetings, we can pull up the data and see where he is in relation to his targets, in real time. That then feeds into his journey plans for the next week. It’s brilliant.” — Janet Boyle, All Star Heating
Crossogue Preserves
Veronica Molloy — Tipperary — luxury jams, chutneys & hampers, est. 30+ years
Crossogue Preserves is a luxury jam and chutney brand established three decades ago by Veronica Molloy from her kitchen table. Today it has more than 200 products, gift packs and hampers, selling wholesale and increasingly direct to consumers online. Stock-taking used to take three people a week, three times a year, with all batch numbers handwritten. New digital systems have resulted in better stock management and less waste.
“We know exactly what we’re selling every day, and what we’re not — but the biggest waste it has saved is time.” — Carly Walsh, Office Manager, Crossogue Preserves
Corby Hair and Beauty Supplies
Fiona Corby — Leitrim — wholesale hair & beauty, established 2006
Former hairdresser Fiona Corby started her wholesale business aged just 20. She took on an accounts package in 2008 but digitally never progressed past that point. On the recommendation of her brother Ronan, who runs an engineering business, she talked to LEO Leitrim about Digital for Business. She worked with a digital consultant to introduce a digital stock control system.
“Up to now I was at capacity. I had no extra time to take on new customers or source new brands. This is allowing me that bit of time back. I’ll definitely start to grow again now.” — Fiona Corby, Corby Hair and Beauty Supplies
Delivered through the LEO Digital for Business programme
Want to see what digital tools could do for your business?
