Innovation and diversification: it brings opportunity, excitement and real potential to a farm business. But let’s be honest, it isn’t easy. It can bring with it a lot of extra work, stress and investment.

However, this did not put off Linda Syron, winner of the Agri-Business Innovation award at the Women & Agriculture awards. Run by Irish Country Living in association with FBD Insurance, the awards were held at the Cliff at Lyons. They celebrated women who have diversified and now run a thriving on-farm business: women who saw an opportunity and put their ideas into motion, creating a viable company that stands out from the crowd.

From beautician to pet farming

Linda Syron, is a proud wife and mother to her husband Gerry and five children Adrienne, Ellie, Sean, Alison and Molly. The family runs a beef and sheep farm near Mullingar, Westmeath.

Faced with a farm stocked to full capacity and nowhere to go, the idea came to Linda to diversify. Linda opened her beloved Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm, named after her youngest daughter. It was this courageous business venture that caught the eye of our judges Katherine O’Leary from Irish Country Living and Carolyn O’Hara from FBD Insurance.

The award came as a big shock to Linda, considering it was her eldest daughter Adrienne who entered her in the competition – and only told Linda about it a couple of days before the judges arrived at Mollie Moo’s.

Identifying a Niche Market

Working part-time as a beautician for Haven Pharmacy Gildea’s, based in Kinnegad, and farming along with her husband Gerry for the past 27 years, it’s fair to say Linda has plenty of experience with both business and agriculture. It was this wealth of knowledge Linda used to help her get the wheels in motion for her unique business venture.

“The farm had reached capacity, so I decided to open a pet farm as a means of educating and to, above all, provide for my family,” said Linda, as she joyfully accepted her award at the Cliff at Lyons.

In 2012, after much research, Linda identified the opportunity to create a pet farm in her area. Only four miles from Mullingar, with nearby tourist attractions such as Belvedere House and Gardens, Lough Ennell and a nearby camping park, Linda saw all these willing customers passing by her door.

After engaging with Westmeath Community Development and obtaining funding under the Leader programme, Linda opened the doors of Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm to the public in March 2014.

The pet farm is a family run business, Linda highlights, and all members of the family must chip in. “The kids are great. They help out with feeding, bedding and looking after the animals before they go to school in the morning and when they come home in the evening. It’s lovely to be able to work with your family, seeing them grow and become independent. They are often telling me what to do – not the other way round,” laughs Linda.

Today, the pet farm totals 3.2 acres and is growing: “I’m always thinking of ways to grow and improve the business, and I hope in the coming years to add an indoor section to the pet farm.”

Currently, Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm offers feeding and interaction with a host of friendly animals, crazy golf, a playground, picnic areas, go-karts and Mooville – an interactive village.

A coffee shop, where Linda sells her home-baked scones and buns, as well as T-shirts and mugs are also helping the business to grow.

Linda has used her expertise as an artist to create books, inspired by the pet farm, which she sells on-farm and in a few local shops in the surrounding area. These books include Mollie Moo’s New Shoe, and a colouring book called Mollie Moo Colouring with You. Linda will also be releasing a new book entitled Mollie Moo Has No Clue very soon.

Justifying the Business

From a small idea, Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm is now a thriving business. It is a popular destination for school tours and families from near and far. The farm is open all weekends and bank holidays, as well as all school holidays. It is a safe and fun day out for young and old, with plenty to see and do.

“The pet farm took off better than I could ever expect,” says Linda. A large portion of the income generated by the business is being reinvested into Mollie Moo’s, but the business is also proving capable of providing for the family. “All repayments are being paid, the banks are happy – and I even have some money left over to buy new animals and build new facilities,” remarked Linda.

Local support has also been key to Linda’s success. “I find many customers come in saying the local hotels and shops told them to visit Mollie Moo’s. It’s lovely to have that support, and it definitely has been a major factor in the success of Mollie Moo’s.

“Winning an award like this one from running a business I’m passionate about is also a great confidence boost, and I would like to thank the judges for selecting me, and Irish Country Living and FBD Insurance for running this event that celebrates Woman & Agriculture,”says Linda. CL

For more information on Mollie Moo’s Pet-Farm please visit www.molliemoos.ie or phone Linda on 087 977 3364.