Business Programmes
Building an inclusive, active, community of local entrepreneurs & businesses
The Business of Health and Wellness
An entrepreneurship programme for people working in health and wellness businesses
A specialist business course for start-ups and existing SMEs in the wellness sector looking to help their business planning and hone their skills in the sales of wellness products, operation of appointment-based services and teaching courses and classes. Setting up or running your own business is a dream for many therapists and entrepreneurs, it can be rewarding in many ways but making it a success can be a challenge with many obstacles that can be daunting.
We are looking to help develop your business skills, essential to business planning and growth, and a strong business brand to give your business a much greater chance of success. We aim to offer the right tools for to develop your business including the sales of wellness products, operation of appointment-based services and teaching courses and classes.
If you are involved in any of these areas of wellness, this course is for you. If you are involved in another related field and you’re not sure whether the course caters for you, go ahead with the registration process and we’ll be happy to discuss your business needs.
Who is it for?
Physical & Holistic Therapies – physical therapy, massage, chiropractic, occupational therapy, sports therapy, aromatherapy, reiki, reflexology, beauty therapy, complimentary holistic therapies
Nutrition and health – supplements, microbiome and gut health
Psychological wellbeing – nervous system regulation, meditation, sound baths, breath work
Physical wellbeing – yoga, pilates, personal training and outdoor activities including saunas
Specialist skincare and associated products including candles, face and body products, soaps
Wellness tech (apps, tracking devices, equipment), corporate wellbeing supports, wellness publishing
Tourism and wellness – retreats, events and courses
How does it work?
Run over 8 weeks in Future Kinsale’s K-Works co-working space in Kinsale town centre, this course will comprise two one-day sessions (Saturdays) and 7 3-hour evening sessions, with additional one-to-one mentoring options for those taking part. The evening sessions will be on Tuesdays 6.30-9.30pm. There will be some homework, guest speakers and lots of support! Regular tutors will be joined by experts in wellness businesses, digital marketing, finance and law, and each week inspiring entrepreneurs and established businesspeople in creative jobs will come to tell their stories.
Dates
Sept 27th (10-5pm), Sept 30th evening
Oct 7, 14, 21, 28th Evenings
Nov 4, 11th Evenings
Nov 15th (10-3.30pm)
Content
Day one: Business ideas: Introductions, course objectives and outline, syllabus, mission/personal objectives – your vision, Ideas and scope - the Lean Canvass modelling tool, the value proposition, talk about your work, wrap up – the final day plan
Session 2: The Core Business - models and plans, ethos, production and teaching, SWOT
Session 3: Market research and customer engagement - competition, how to conduct research, customer profiling
Session 4: Financial considerations - constructing a budget, capex, staffing, exporting, overheads and space, pricing, profit
Session 5: Marketing and sales - Brand development, customer acquisition, distribution channels
Session 6: Promotion methods and advertising - videography
Session 7: Funding and supports
Session 8: Accounting and lgeal considerations
Session 9: Preparing your presentation, present to an invited audience
In addition to the course tutors, each week we will have one or two speakers who will be established in the wellness sector and can talk about how they formed and developed their businesses.
All students will receive one-to-one mentoring sessions from a chosen mentor, based on the issues they see affecting their businesses.
It is essential to be available for the whole course, and only in exceptional circumstances, students can arrange to dial in on Teams.
What do I do to join?
While the programme is open to participants based anywhere, it does require you to complete a short application in order to demonstrate your suitability and commitment.
You’ll also be asked to become a member of Future Kinsale before attending the course.
If you have any enquiries or to check on your application, please contact adrianwistreich@gmail.com
Tracy McCarthy: Course Director
Tracy is a licensed therapist and maker of natural oils — but at her core, she is someone who believes in slowing down and taking care of what matters most of all, your mind, your body, and natural wellness, while helping people feel their best — inside and out.
Her journey into natural wellness started in 2009, when she went back to college part-time to study reflexology at a time when Tracy needed support to cope with stress and create calm in her daily life and that of her family. What began as a personal ritual soon turned into Head To Toe Therapies.
Head to Toe Therapies is located in Kinsale and Clonakilty, where Tracy creates a warm, supportive space for clients to work through stress, anxiety, and life’s challenges through many treatments such as massage, reflexology, and touch therapies, Tracy believes healing happens when we take care of both our mind and body.
In more recent times, after teaching Beauty to students, Tracy fell in love with skin, so when not seeing clients, Tracy blends Natural plant-based oils to support health, relaxation, mindfulness, and self-care for her clients and therapies and has developed her own Natural Skin Care Range, supplying not only Tracy's Clients but also an online shop and to retail outlets
The Art of Business and the Business of Art 2026
An entrepreneurship programme for people working in the creative arts
In early 2026 we are launching the first specialist start-up programme in Kinsale aimed specifically at those working in the creative arts.
Programme manager Adrian Wistreich, one of Future Kinsale’s mentors who also owns Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre, has been running a similar programme for potters for three years, with good results. The team running Future Kinsale’s programme will include entrepreneurs and creatives who bring many years of business experience and mentorship. The weekly sessions will include short talks by established artists and creative businesses to inspire and motivate you in your journey.
This programme is aimed at:
· Amateur visual artists, craft makers, writers and those in the performing arts seeking to start a business
· Those with existing creative businesses seeking to develop their business skills and evaluate opportunities for new directions, or better processes and structures for their businesses.
How does it work?
Run over 12 weeks in Future Kinsale’s K-Works co-working space in Kinsale town centre, this course will comprise two one-day sessions (Saturdays) and 8 3-hour evening sessions, with additional one-to-one mentoring options for those taking part. The evening sessions will be on Tuesdays 6.30-9.30pm. There will be some homework and there will be two-week gaps between some sessions to facilitate that work. Regular tutors will be joined by experts in arts and crafts marketing, digital business, finance and law, and each week inspiring entrepreneurs and established businesspeople in creative jobs will come to tell their stories.
Dates TBC
Day One - (10am-5pm)
· Sharing the pain
· Setting objectives and ideal outcomes
· Ideas evaluation, value propositions
· Skillset review
· Plan for the course
Evening modules: (6.30-9.30pm)
· Physical space requirements and options
· Pricing, budgets and financial planning
· Market research and competitor analysis
· Design, branding, packaging and display
· Go to market strategies
· Opportunities to teach
· Building profile, PR, marketing and advertising
· Strengthening the customer-base and customer relationship management
· Funding options and other supports
· Incorporation options, legal and copyright issues
Day Two (10am-5pm)
· Building a simple business plan
· Presenting your business
· Moving forward
What do I do to join?
While the programme is open to participants based anywhere, it does require you to complete a short application in order to demonstrate your suitability and commitment. We will check that the course is suitable for your needs and email you to pay your deposit of €50. The remaining €250 fee is due by Jan 31st 2025
You’ll also be asked to become a member of Future Kinsale before attending the course.
If you have any enquiries or to check on your application, please contact adrianwistreich@gmail.com
Are you looking to make a contribution to the future development of enterprise in Kinsale?
We would like to make the Startup programmes accessible for more young people and adults in the community to take part in the future and to continue to build a healthy, sustainable community - together. So we are welcoming sponsors on The Art of Business and The Business of Art who are willing to cover the cost of one person (€300) or more to take part. Together we can make an impact and support the future of Kinsale! You can sponsor a place here.
1:1 Mentoring Programme
Kinsale is home to a unique number and mix of successful entrepreneurs, business owners and experts of all kinds We have assembled a team of amazing mentors with experience in:
Tourism, retail, arts
Marketing, customer service, market research
Finance, legal, fundraising
Design, media production
Food, hospitality
Distribution and supply chain
Internet, IT & e-commerce
Startups
Mentors offer their valuable time to support you, at bookable times, according to your business needs. Some of the KEA mentors are profiled below.
Would you benefit from mentoring?
Future Kinsale wants to support local business owners, whether starting up a new business or running an established business, who feel they would benefit from an independent, external expert. The offer is open to businesses based in Kinsale, serving the Kinsale market, or with other affiliations with Kinsale and local communities. Support is offered to limited companies, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations.
If you would like to apply for mentorship contact us at K-Works co-working space or by email at info@futurekinsale.ie to discuss your needs