WATCH Pressed Flowers By Nell is in full bloom with LEO Limerick

Richard Lynch, I Love Limerick, Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan, Miriam Simon, Siobhan Quinn, LEO Limerick, and Nell Stitch, Pressed Flowers by Nell pictured at a recent LEO Limerick Retail Development Workshop hosted by Miriam Simon. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Pressed Flowers by Nell, founded by Nell Stritch, is a unique business in the heart of Limerick City, which has blossomed into a hub of creativity with support from LEO Limerick

Celebrating five years in business, Pressed Flowers by Nell is a unique boutique in the heart of Limerick City transforming bridal bouquets into beautiful keepsakes; Nell Stritch’s amazing works have garnered a loyal following as the signature pink door on Roches Street welcomes clients from as far away as Australia and Canada.

Speaking with I Love Limerick about the five-year milestone, Nell shared the story behind her growing success, she said, “When I started, I envisioned a small, lifestyle business.”

“It’s been the most amazing journey, and I love being on Roches Street. It’s the heart of Limerick City, we’ve a gorgeous pink door, and you go up, and it’s just flower heaven.

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“It’s insane to think about it because when I first started, I was like, ‘this is great’. It’s kind of like a lifestyle business, I said, ‘I’ll work in it, I’ll get to create my art and sell it’. And now it’s so amazing to have been able to bring so many people along the journey with me from my first employees to even now, some part-time students who have moved to Limerick.”

Central to Nell’s journey has been the ongoing support from Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Limerick, Nell said, “When I first started, I suppose about three weeks before I opened my business, I saw that they were doing a Start Your Own Business programme in the Castletroy Park hotel.

“I believe they still run it maybe three or four times a year, so I went to it anyway, my little backpack, I was so nervous but so excited. And I’d say, your man was like, ‘You’re one now and her pressed flowers’, but he ended up being an amazing mentor and he still comments on my LinkedIn stuff now, so that was the first thing I did the start your own business course.”

The LEO Limerick Start Your Own Business Course gives participants the knowledge and skills to set up and manage a successful business and the course is delivered by Business IQ, who have extensive expertise and experience in helping entrepreneurs make their business the best it can be.

As well as the Start Your Own Business Course Nell explains she availed of the “one-on-one mentoring” for marketing, Human Resources, and says LEO Limerick also connected her with legal services.

Nell noted LEO Limerick’s Business Expansion Grant allowed her to invest in both staff and essential equipment, Nell has also recently benefited from the Trading Online Voucher, which offers €2,500 for website development, enabling her to elevate her brand’s digital presence.

Siobhan Quinn, LEO Limerick Business Advisor, underscored the importance of these supports, saying, “LEO offers a wide range of mentoring, grants, and training opportunities.”

For businesses like Pressed Flowers by Nell, LEO Limerick’s Trading Online Voucher helps ensure they stay competitive online.  Speaking at a recent retail workshop, one of LEO Limerick’s many events throughout the year, Siobhan said, “We’ve recently launched something called Digital for Business and Grow Digital, where we can offer supports in terms of funding for your digital journey. So not necessarily for upgrading your website, but perhaps you need to utilise Some CRM systems or whatever it might be that will make your business more efficient.”

Reflecting on the process with LEO Limerick, Nell said, “They get as excited as me about anything I’m doing or anything I want to do and I feel like they have come on the journey with me over the last five years.”

Looking to the future, Nell said, while speaking at the recent LEO Limerick Retail Development Workshop to help prepare for Christmas, “Over the Christmas we have an exciting pop-up coming, which we’ll be able to share more about soon, so watch this space.”

Recently Pressed Flowers by Nell, Nell Stritch was selected as a finalist in The Pitch ’24, an initiative led by Brown Thomas Arnotts to support local talent and champion Irish businesses. Nell Stritch will showcase her exclusive pressed flower artwork at the renowned Arnotts Christmas Market from November 14th through early January 2024.

Nell is one of only five finalists, and the only business from Munster, chosen from over 200 applicants. The Pitch ’24 campaign, now in its fourth year, calls on Irish start-ups and entrepreneurs to pitch for the chance to be mentored by industry experts. Nell has been working closely with mentors since May, preparing for this pivotal moment.

Speaking about the announcement, Nell said, “It’s been a whirlwind behind the scenes— balancing creativity, late nights, and a lot of learning— but I am beyond proud to represent Limerick and share my passion with the world at Arnotts. Being part of The Pitch has been a dream come true. I’m so excited to unveil my exclusive “Love in Flight” robin pressed flower design, created especially for this event.” The overall winner will receive a €10,000 business development fund, along with in-store and online placement.