Get your business off on the right foot
Starting a business is exciting — but it can also be uncertain. You may have a great idea, a strong product, or a clear passion, yet still feel unsure about where to focus first, how to position yourself in the market, or whether you’re missing something important.
Start Smart is a startup strategy consulting service designed to give new businesses clarity, structure, and confidence from day one. Rather than generic advice, you’ll get practical, one-to-one support tailored to your idea, your market, and your goals.
Who Start Smart Is For
Start Smart is ideal if you are:
Planning to launch a new food product or drink brand
Opening a café, restaurant, or small hospitality business
Starting a tourism, craft, or local service business
Turning a strong idea into a viable business for the first time
In your first year or two of trading and need clearer direction
If you’re looking for help starting a business in Donegal or anywhere in Ireland, Start Smart provides grounded, local insight combined with strategic thinking.
Market Entry Strategy
We start by understanding your market. Together, we’ll assess your competition, define your ideal customer, and identify the most effective way to enter the market. This includes pricing, positioning, and deciding where to focus your energy first — so you’re not trying to do everything at once.
Brand Foundations
A strong brand is more than a logo. Start Smart helps you define your brand story, core values, and value proposition, ensuring your messaging connects with customers from the very beginning. This is especially important for food and tourism businesses, where trust and authenticity matter.
Business Planning & Financial Clarity
You’ll receive practical business planning support — whether that’s a lean canvas or a more detailed plan. We’ll look at costs, pricing, basic financial projections, and realistic goals, helping you make informed decisions rather than guesses.
Regulatory & Grant Guidance
For food and tourism startups in Ireland, knowing what supports and requirements apply can be confusing. Start Smart helps you navigate options such as LEO grants, Food Academy programmes, licensing requirements, and other local supports — ensuring no critical step is overlooked.
How The Service Works
Start Smart is delivered through hands-on, one-to-one support.
Typically, this includes an initial strategy workshop followed by a series of focused sessions over 6–8 weeks. As your ideas take shape and your business begins to operate, the guidance adapts with you — refining your plan as real-world insights emerge.
This is not a one-size-fits-all programme. It’s tailored startup mentoring, grounded in experience and local knowledge.
Ready To Start?
If you’re at the beginning of your business journey and want to get it right from the start, Start Smart can help.
Get in touch for a free initial consultation to discuss your idea and see how Start Smart can support your next steps.
