ADARE-based company Lucy Erridge Art has undergone a digital transformation after being chosen as a winning applicant of the Virgin Media Backing Business initiative.
The scheme has helped the nature and wildlife watercolour artist to expand her business online, as well as helping her to develop her E-commerce offerings.
Five Munster businesses were selected as winners of the Virgin Media Backing Business initiative and received a total of €100,000 in support. They also benefited from the expertise and insights of each of the Virgin Media ‘Backing Business’ partners, which include Digital Business Ireland, Milk Bottle Labs, Permanent TSB and their Local Enterprise Office.
Virgin Media and its partners will continue to mentor and support each of these businesses as they continue on their journey to offer the best digital e-commerce platforms and solutions for their customers.
Lucy Erridge, of Lucy Erridge Art said: “I trained as an a knitware designer, and while I’ve successfully run a shop in Adare since 1985, to receive the advice and support on my new online business has been invaluable. Particularly, given the extreme difficulties businesses had to face over the past year and the sudden shift to online we were all forced to make.
“They often say artists can struggle to manage the business side of things, but the advice and support I received made it all so easy. I’m so grateful to Virgin Media, Milk Bottle Labs and all involved.”
Robert Troy, Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation said: “The last 18 months have been challenging for many of us, especially Ireland’s SMEs. Many have had to adapt and pivot their business models to address the ever-evolving needs of their customers during the pandemic.
“Digital transformation will be a key part of our post-pandemic recovery. Indeed, the next decade will see a number of profound changes in our economy and society, but we know that adopting new technology can be daunting for enterprises. That is why one of my key priorities is to make digital transition as accessible as possible to Irish SMEs – to continue to facilitate digital adoption and to make technology more readily available.”
