Balmy online success for local entrepreneur

October 29, 2020

Founder of Plumpy Balms Valerie Brown recently completed the council’s Digi-Growth Programme and is looking forward to going digital.

This programme is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.

Since starting her business in 2017, entrepreneur Valerie has expanded her product range to offer 13 flavours of vegan balms for lips, hands, face and body. Valerie has travelled extensively to sell her products at markets and fairs. Now with the skills and knowledge learnt through participation in this programme she can sell her products 24/7 online.

Alderman Jim Dillon MBE, Development Committee Chairman, speaking about the Digi-Growth programme, said: “The council developed this programme to help local businesses get the necessary digital skills to market their products online.  It provides structure and motivation and is tailored to each participant’s business needs. 

“I am sure Valerie will utilise her new skills to create an online buzz about her product range.  By increasing her online offering she can sell her popular balms safely at this time of restricted gatherings.”

Before applying to the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Digi-Growth Programme Valerie was struggling to dedicate time to learn about influencer marketing, video creation and content planning.

Valerie said: “I joined the Digi-Growth Programme as I knew I needed help from experts, and I have been able to work on social media and content creation. It is wonderful that Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has put together a programme like this, especially in the time we are in right now with COVID-19. The world is moving much more online and to have this really responsive programme designed by the council to meet our needs has been fantastic for me.”

Log on to www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/business to find out more about the Digi-Growth programme and other business support available. To apply for this programme, email: emma.fearon@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk for an expression of interest form.

If you would like to try a Plumpy balm product go online to www.plumpybalms.com or follow on social @plumpybalms