What do you buy the man who has everything? Mr Sports Gift based in Nenagh, just now, maybe the perfect answer to that age old question. Thanks to Mr Sports Gift, Christmas Day, Father’s Day and Birthdays can no longer be a source of frustration for that lady looking for something very different and special for the man in her life.
By using cutting edge, patented technology, Mr Sports Gift can personalise a sports ball in almost any imaginable way, creating a unique gift for any occasion. Mr Sports Gift can print a photograph, logo, family crest or an affectionate, humorous or congratulatory message, directly on to a Hurley, Sliotar, Rugby ball, Gaelic football, Soccer ball or a range of other sports items, for that personalised ‘one of a kind’ gift.
Launched in early May of this year by Mr Noel Cahill and his son Aidan, the new company is growing from strength to strength and has already moved from off the kitchen table, to a state of the art manufacturing unit in Nenagh.
Speaking to Thurles.Info this week Mr Sports Gift’s Managing Director Noel Cahill said “We’ve had a huge reaction to our product so far and we are trying to get to as many events as possible to market and gain the maximum exposure for our products. We have a weekly spot at the Nenagh Indoor Market and we also make regular visits to Thurles Shopping Centre as well as other locations around the country. The National Ploughing Championships, Tullamore Show and International Hurling Festival were particularly good for us and we were fortunate to be invited on to Ireland AM recently, for the “Boost my Business,” slot which was a fantastic experience.”
Here, having successfully pitched to an assessment panel, Noel secured a place on the TESS (Tipperary Enterprise Start-Up Support) Programme run by LIT Tipperary and based in the new Thurles Chamber Enterprise Centre. TESS is based on the highly successful LEAP and FAST programmes run by LIT over the past five years and participants on these types of incubation programme have much higher potential and greater success rates.
During the 12 month programme, which commenced in July 2012, TESS provided a range of integrated supports based around strategic planning, management training and business coaching. “All of these supports worked together to challenge and guide all of us into developing a sound business plan and building a sustainable and profitable business. I walked in with a couple of prototypes in a carrier bag and graduated with a real live business,” Noel said.
Noel has been working in the business on a full time basis since September 3rd 2012, having taken a career break from the Civil Service with over 17 years service, most recently as Press Officer for the Department of Social Protection. A former player and Secretary of Toomevara GAA club, Noel also played rugby with Nenagh Ormond and all of these connections are proving useful in establishing the new business.
While the majority of Mr Sports Gift customers so far have been female choosing gifts for men, extensive market research has identified other opportunities as Noel pointed out “Our research has thrown up a number of problems that we think Mr Sports Gift can solve including the difficulty of commemorating a sporting achievement outside of the usual trophies, medal and plaques. There is also an issue finding new corporate gifts that are not already on the market. Diaries, pens and umbrellas have a limited attraction when you’ve got them more than once. We also believe that in the sliotar we have a uniquely Irish gift that is not already on the gift market and so there is worldwide potential.”
With Christmas in mind Mr Sports Gift has introduced a number of new offerings including personalised Christmas ornaments, baby blocks and even pet balls so even our four legged friends don’t feel left out. Ordering is easy either through the online shop on the Website www.mrsportsgift.com or by Email to info@mrsportsgift.com. Just send the photographs and instructions and Mr Sports Gift will do the rest and get your personalised gift back to you in just a couple of days.
For customers in the Thurles area there is a selection of personalised balls on display in Lár na Páirce and Mr Sports Gift will be in Thurles Shopping Centre (Beside Tipp FM broadcast unit) on Friday 22nd and 29th November.
Contact Details: Unit 3J, Connolly St Business Centre, Nenagh, Tel: 067 37813
Are you producing a Tipperary manufactured product, something which you feel would make a welcome Christmas Gift? Then don’t be shy, please do tell us about it by clicking HERE.
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