Don’t think about it, just put pen to paper because the more time you mull over the idea of applying, then the more little doubts and negative thoughts will start to creep in,” says Rebecca Allen, owner and manager of Tinahely Farm Shop located in Co Wicklow.

Rebecca was runner-up of the FBD Women & Agriculture agribusiness innovation award in 2015, an experience that taught her the value of dreams.

If you have a dream, you need to go for it. Looking back at how far we have come is quiet an eye-opener, it was a huge undertaking but I did it.

“I am delighted that I applied for the awards. They were a wonderful experience and the judges were lovely.”

The story of Tinahely Farm Shop began in 2009 when Rebecca and her husband were milking cows and the price of milk dropped. In order to increase the family’s income, Rebecca opened an honesty box shop beside their house. She grew vegetables, made pots of jam, fashioned flower arrangements and had a little antique section. Not long after that, one of the farm sheds received a makeover and Tinahely Farm Shop was born.

"I converted a cow shed into an award-winning artisan food shop and restaurant. That is why I applied for the awards.

I wanted people to know about the business because I was very proud of the shop and what I had done.

After Rebecca had signed and sent her application for the awards, the next step was the judge’s visit.

“We went for a walk around the farm and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

“They enquired as to how we managed to go from being a farm shed to where we are now and one of the reasons was because I was never afraid to ask for advice. That was a very important aspect of opening our shop, I was never scared to introduce myself or to ask anyone for guidance.”

Tinahely Farm Shop continues to thrive and Rebecca credits the Women & Agriculture Awards for helping to raise the profile of the business, allowing others to witness what can be achieved when their ambitions are given the freedom to flourish.

“On the night of the awards, I was able to meet so many people. I was sitting at a table with individuals I did not know and since then they have visited the shop. Networking was a great part of the event, being able to put yourself out there and meet new people is very important,” says Rebecca.

“I think what we achieved with Tinahely Farm Shop will give other people the confidence to do something because of how far we have come. You can get stuck in a rut very easily in rural Ireland but don’t hold back, just go for it.” CL

For more information on how to enter this year’s Women & Agriculture Awards, see page 13.

Read more:

FBD Women & Ag awards

Women & Agriculture Awards - Margaret Farrelly