Alexandria Kelly is the founder of the Flower Child brand. Flower Child specialises in natural alternatives to everyday home fragrance products. Alexandria pitched her company to a host of potential investors at the inaugural Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Showcase 2024 this week at South East Technological University’s (SETU) campus in Carlow.
Alexandria joined nine other entrepreneurs taking part on the New Frontiers programme who showcased their innovative businesses to investors. The event was also attended by sponsors META, UNUM, Netwatch, and Carlow Local Enterprise Office. Members of the region’s wider business community also came along for the occasion to network, build connections, and find common ground with new business start-ups.
Strong Community Connection
Alexandria is a current participant on the Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers programme that is hosted regionally by SETU at its Carlow and Waterford campuses. Building personal connection through storytelling, Alexandria has gained a community of like-minded customers who are enthusiastic about finding a natural alternative to everyday home fragrance, and who are passionate about the benefits nature has to offer. Flower Child offers a catalogue of over 30 products across five signature scents, including candles, fragrance sprays, and wax melts.
Speaking about the her journey into entrepreneurship, Alexandria said, “The New Frontiers programme has given me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of building my own brand and becoming self-employed. After graduating from college, the idea of taking the plunge was daunting. Before New Frontiers, the Flower Child brand was a hobby I did in the evenings or on the weekends. Over the last six months, it has gone from strength to strength. Now stocked in over 40 retailers nationwide and exporting to foreign markets, it has become a self-sustained entity.”
She continued, “The programme opened numerous doors for me and my company; from one-to-one mentor advice to attending my first trade fair exhibition at Showcase Ireland. Upon entering the programme, I had very little knowledge of the industry, but through New Frontiers’ networking events and workshops, I have been given the opportunity to build connections and form relationships with other like-minded entrepreneurs.
The New Frontiers programme offers a second-to-none support for start-ups in bringing their business ideas to fruition. Developing an idea from concept to a viable reality is an immense project and so the programme offers mentorship, financial support, and navigational guidance for what can seem like unchartered waters for new entrepreneurs.
Applications are now open for the New Frontiers Programme Phase 1 at SETU's Carlow Campus starting 17 April 2024. For more information, contact Gemma Purcell, New Frontiers Programme Manager on [email protected] or apply at newfrontiers.ie/register