ABOUT
MADE in Mourne is a community crowd collaboration project based in Kilkeel, nestled at the base of the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland. The space is in Greencastle Street.
The ground floor houses the fabulous ‘MADE in Mourne’ shop that sells locally made original gifts, unique home deco arts & crafts and handmade artisan food; first floor is the HUB, a creative space complete with meeting rooms, workspaces and an honesty coffee bar for start-ups, small businesses, business folk and community groups to meet, network, collaborate and grow businesses; top floor is the STUDIO, the home of a photographer, Ruach musical instruments and other creative companies.
A not-for-profit model, the plan is to make the building commercially successful to be able to fund local initiatives, both creative and commercial that help to grow the local creative economy, provide more jobs and help to sustain those who live and work in the Mourne Region.
How did it come about?
Every crowd needs someone to stand up first and say ‘Join me’. MADE in Mourne was originated by Jenna Stevenson, a young entrepreneur from Kilkeel. In 2017 Jenna, a mum of one and with a baby on the way, made the decision to move her artisan food business, that was predominantly based in Belfast, back to Kilkeel.
“Kilkeel is lucky to have aerospace & fishing, however we need a broader industry base in Kilkeel and the Mourne Region, more opportunities for our children. If my generation don’t step up and make this happen, no one will. The space became available, we grabbed it despite lacking money and a plan – so we came up with a plan and a brand, set ourselves 100 days and openly said to the community ‘Join us’. And they did! 98 days later, we opened.
There is no way we could have got this done without crowd funding and crowd collaboration. Businesses, business people, tradesmen, community members, all sorts of people have stepped forward donating time, a bit of cash and things we need. It just goes to show you what can be done if the community rallies round and works together. It has been amazing to watch and made me very proud to live in the Mourne Region. This is definitely the world I want my children to grow up in! It’s a long journey ahead, but we’re off to a great start!”
Jenna Stevenson, Founder MADE in Mourne.
How can I get involved?
Come to the shop, use the space, be part of this positive experience and tell the world. It’s as simple as that really! There is no massive fund or support behind this.
It needs to commercially work, so we need customers through the door and anyone who likes what is happening here who thinks they can help out, to step forward. Our door is always open, the coffee pot is always on … you are very welcome!
Our Board & Advisors
Our Board & Advisors are predominantly locals aged under 35 who have a simple agenda – “To build a world they would like their children to inherit”.
Board & Trustees
Jenna Stevenson
Co-Founder & MD
Jenna Stevenson
Co-Founder & MD
Tom Griffiths
Co-Founder & Chair
Tom Griffiths
Co-Founder & Chair
Tom Griffiths is a Sunday Times Top 100 Entrepreneur/Disruptor who for the past 20 years has been innovating and disrupting in the digital space. A global nomad, Tom fell in love with a girl from Holywood and now resides in NI with his wife and 3 children. Tom is half of a business partnership with Jenna that delivers both economic and socially positive outcomes across NI and within the Mourne region.
“MADE in Mourne is a crowd project run mostly by locals under the age of 35, many of who are now starting to be parents of their own. With that in mind we looked to the horizon and made the statement that ‘Any kid with talent and ambition from the Mourne Region can make it big’. And now we’re going to do our best to deliver it.”
Alan McCulla
Director
Alan McCulla
Director
Our Advisors
Stephen Henderson
Export businesses
Stephen Henderson
Export businesses
At 16, Stephen Henderson spent his time developing unique musical instrument designs, and formed Ruach Music. Today, the business continues to grow and with a newly signed USA distribution deal, the now 23 year old CEO has no plans of slowing down. A recent Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Stephen is an inspiring example to young entrepreneurs in the Mourne region.
“I hope to see the Kingdom of Mourne as an area where upcoming musicians yearn to reside”
Paula Haugh
HR & Inspiring Women
Paula Haugh
HR & Inspiring Women
“Having lived most of my life in the Mournes, I’ve grown up with a real passion for the natural beauty this area offers. Now living in Belfast and employed as an HR Advisor with the Viridian Group, I love to return home for the people, scenery and of course the craic!”
John McGrath
Music
John McGrath
Director
Music
Declan Cole
Funding & Diaspora
Declan Cole
Funding & Diaspora
A strategy consultant that has experience of working globally with corporate, governmental and NGOs. A graduate of QUB & UU and a Fulbright scholar in the USA, Declan is World Economic Forum Global Shaper as well as an Ireland Funds Young Leader.
“I’d like to see Mourne region as a progressive, sustainable rural economy, one that enhances the quality of life of those who live here and about which those who now live overseas are proud to call their own. I’d like to see our people, young and old, inspired to take pride and deliver a future to hand over to the next generations upon which they can build on. MADE in Mourne is a foundation of this, one which I’m proud to be a part of”.
Sarah Graham
Community marketing
Sarah Graham
Community marketing
James Cunningham
High street retail
James Cunningham
High street retail
Neil Davey
Digital
Neil Davey
Digital
Kilkeel based Creative Director of a Web Development & Design Studio and Digital Marketing Agency.
“Kilkeel and towns and villages all over the Mournes have an amazing local community spirit, which is key to building a thriving community. The MADE in Mourne project is proof that adding this community spirit to a ‘Can do’ attitude, within a highly creative environment, amongst people happy to work together … will deliver extraordinary results. This is a truly amazing, high impact, high value project, one that I love being a part of”
Geoff Hooks
Finance
Geoff Hooks
Finance
In Residence
Wendy Hanna
Poet in Residence
Wendy Hanna
Poet in Residence
Tom Griffiths
Entrepreneur in Residence
Tom Griffiths
Entrepreneur in Residence
Tom was the founder of gapyear.com, which he launched on one of the world’s first social network platforms back in 1998. Over the past 20 years he has been there, done that, from running the poverty line trying to make his business idea work, to 7 figure investments into his business. He grew a global brand from a bedroom using hard graft, determination, passion and self-belief. As an Entrepreneur-in-Residence Tom is on hand to use his experiences to help steer our self-start community and inject energy and creativity when required.
“The Mourne region is full of honest grafters and creative people, unbelievably good entrepreneurs with fantastic businesses and innovative business ideas. We want to help develop great entrepreneurs who in turn will launch the great businesses the Mourne region needs for long term economic growth”.
How can I get involved?
Come to the shop, use the space, be part of this positive experience and tell the world. It’s as simple as that really! There is no massive fund or support behind this.
It needs to commercially work, so we need customers through the door and anyone who likes what is happening here who thinks they can help out, to step forward. Our door is always open, the coffee pot is always on … you are very welcome!
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