Sam Harte is a Director of Harte Outdoor Lighting, a family-run business based in New Ross, Co. Wexford, that has been crafting handmade outdoor lighting for over 40 years. With a strong focus on sales and marketing, Sam is dedicated to growing the company’s network of B2B resellers both in Ireland and internationally, while driving sales through strategic channels.

Together with fellow directors Jack and Liz Harte, Sam continues to build on the company’s legacy of excellence, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern lighting innovation. Harte Outdoor Lighting is proud to count among its clients some of Ireland’s most prestigious properties, including Adare Manor, Ashford Castle, and Mount Juliet, as well as thousands of residential customers across the country.

TRUDIE'S KITCHEN, FROM HER HOME TO YOURS 21 YEARS ON

As a mother of three young children Shauna, Richard, and Siobhan, in September 2000, Trudie Power opened her business from her home, growing it organically over the following years into the convenience food powerhouse it is today.

Now employing 20 people, Trudie's Kitchen has been providing tasty handmade salads, platters, and sandwiches to loyal customers, adapting her business to keep pace with dietary requirements and trends.

Trudie did a Start You Own Business course and the rest, as they say, is history. She began working out of her home in the autumn of 2000 and quickly saw orders fly through the door.

As a 30-year-old woman Trudie saw a gap in the market and applied for the planning permission to develop her business idea.

For her becoming an entrepreneur happened organically.

With Cobid-19 she has grown the business as people found themselves cooking three meals at home every day. From pairing your minced egg and onion with a hot bagel or slice of toast, to enjoying a nutritious pasta salad for lunch and coleslaw with your steak or chicken in the evening, Trudie's Kitchen has you covered.

"We are delighted that Trudie's salads have become part of peoples breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals", Trudie said.

Like all businesses Trudie's has been affected by Covid-9. The early days of the virus saw a drop in custom but that grew over the summer and business remains robust.

People have been ordering one or two tray platters and no order is too small for the team, who are based at the Wexford Road Business Park.

The family business - which has won numerous National Q Mark Hygiene awards - continues its regimental hygiene standards.

"We are a family business. When Covid hit we decided that we have two families: our work family and our home family. It's what Trudie's Kitchen team decided. They are our team and our greatest asset," Trudie said.

One of the team who was with her on her first day, sister-in-law Mary Lynch has been promoted to production, planning, and purchasing manager and business has gone from strength to strength under her stewardship and with the assistance of Anne Wall H.A.C.C.P. manager.

Bringing tasty, affordable traditional food to people, ensuring they are well-fed continues to be what Trudie's Kitchen is all about. Never one to stand still in business, Trudie plans to release plant based vegan dishes this year.

Trudie is encouraging everyone to visit the groups' fantastic website, wexfordfoodfamily.com and consider these local businesses and their fantastic products when doing the weekly shop.

Trudie wants to sincerely thank her customers for their support over the 21 years and looks forward to continuing to produce healthy, tasty, homemade salads for them in the years ahead.