Make it to Market

The ‘Make it to Market’ Programme is a new programme launched in 2019 by Naturally North Coast & Glens, with the assistance of the Ulster Bank, Skills and Opportunities Fund.

It was open to all makers based in NI that have an artisan product which is market ready, who are new to trading or have just recently started their business.

The programme helped makers develop the business skills they need to start/develop their business.

It provided free market trading pitches, support throughout the programme, and access to a range of free workshops designed to help them develop their business, confidence, skills, and ultimately help them increase sales and profitability in the long term.

Markets really are a useful tool for building brand awareness, marketing, launching new products and increasing customer bases, many of our high street giants and big brands started their life at a market stall.

Taking your product to market is a low-risk, low cost way to turn your business dream into reality. Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market provided the perfect platform for Ursa Minor Bakehouse to take its first steps towards the success it has become, as Dara explains: “Our business started at the Market and grew and developed from there. We decided to test the market for our products by taking a stall and from there we were able to expand our product range and try out new products. This way we were able to receive immediate feedback from customers about the positives and negatives. The Market allowed us to increase sales and have good cash flow to develop and move forward”.

The Inaugural Make it to Market programme in 2019 was a success and we hope to deliver it on an ongoing basis.

Check out our video summary below of a few participants from the 2019 Make it to Market Programme. We hope to launch a new programme again soon.