14 successful Irish firms chosen for first Facebook Irish SME Council

14 successful Irish firms chosen for first Facebook Irish SME Council 14 successful Irish firms chosen for first Facebook Irish SME Council Image Source: PixabayFacebook has founded the  first Irish SME Council, which will see 14 small to medium firms in Ireland interfacing with the social media giant’s SME team to devise better digital tools for business.  The move, which follows the first meeting of the Facebook UK SME Council on May 9, has broader implications than Facebook Ireland alone. It forms part of Facebook’s efforts to better understand the needs of entrepreneurs worldwide.“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, they drive economic growth and new jobs…”Facebook SME vice-president Ciaran Quilty told Biz Plus that the objective was to help grow small businesses in Ireland, “the backbone of our economy”.“Through listening, learning and having a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses, the Council will give us a better understanding of how we can help them grow,” he said.The Facebook Irish SME Council will meet at least twice annually to discuss how t heir businesses have used the Facebook platform, including successes and challenges, ideas solutions, and progress-charting. The feedback and interchange will help Facebook in producing products that will help all business to grow.The 14 members of the first Facebook Irish SME Council include:• Appassionata Flowers, based in Dublin, delivering flowers and bouquets for corporate and private clients, weddings, special events and social functions and gifts.• Aran Sweater Market, which has grown from its original base on the small island community of Inis Mor to one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of authentic Aran Knitwear.• Boutique Bake, a Dublin-based provider of award-winning gourmet baking mixes;• The Burren Perfumery, a family-run business providing a huge range of handmade perfumes, creams, soaps and balms, from its Co Clare headquarters.• Folkster, Irish stylist Blanaid Hennesy’s innovative women’s fashion business, with shops online and in Kilkenny and Dublin.â €¢ Keelings, growers and suppliers of fresh fruit across the country, including its famous strawberries, Bramley apples, eating apples, pears, cherries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries.• Kerrigan’s Craft Butchers, an award-winning Dublin based firm, operating online and at three bricks and mortar stores in Baldoyle, Malahide and Donaghmede.• Lennon Courtney, a modernist Irish fashion label that aims to bring innovative and exclusive fashion to women at an affordable price.• Life Style Sports, the venerable nationwide Irish supplier of the leading lifestyle brands such as adidas, Nike, Puma, Fred Perry, Umbro, Asics, Underamour and many more.• Magee of Donegal, a leading supplier of tweed and designers and weavers of quality luxury fabrics, inspired by their native country’s ever-changing land and seascapes.• Obeo, providers of a groundbreaking food waste box that it brands as the easiest and cleanest way to deal with food waste.• Ronan Cullen Flooring, base d in Lucan, Dublin, a supplier and fitter of all major brands of carpet, vinyl, laminate, solid and engineered flooring.• Strong Roots, an award-winning frozen food company based in Dublin, which provides a range of premium, healthy frozen foods, and is noted for its strong relationships with consumers, customers and partners.• Well Nice Pops, is a Limerick-based provider of 100% vegetable and fruit juice ice pops, which are low in calories, contain vitamins minerals, and free of additives, artificial colours, flavourings and sugar.