Dublin City Enterprise News Talks To...... Annette Smith
In this edition we speak to Annette Smith, founder of Tennis4Kids, an initiative to bring tennis to school children ages 5 to 12 all over Dublin. Annette talks to us about the growing interest in the sport county-wide and its benefits to children.
Why did you decide to set up your own business & how did you go about it?
I set up Tennis4kids because I wanted to provide primary school children with a programme which made tennis easy and fun, where children experience success at their own level.
Tennis 4kids is a unique programme for children of all abilities including children with ‘special needs’. We provide everything – a fantastic team of Tennis Ireland qualified coaches, and all of the equipment, including rackets, balls and nets so schools or parents don’t need to buy anything. Children love Tennis4kids. Right now, we are teaching tennis to 2500 children each week. Many children who wouldn’t normally have access to tennis are now playing this wonderful sport in the Tennis4kids programme.
In 2008 I contacted a number of Dublin schools to see if they would be interested in the Tennis4kids programme. Each of the ten schools I visited took up the programme and it has grown steadily from there, with Tennis4kids now in 25 schools.
What assistance or advice did you get in the beginning from family, friend and state support agencies?
I had no business experience, so in 2008, I joined Women in Business which was a great way to learn about networking and meeting other women with different levels of experience in business. I also invested in the ‘To Be the Best’ programme run by the Dublin Women’s Skillnet. This was one of the best things I have ever done. I benefitted enormously from the programme, which ran over 12 weeks, covering finance, sales, marketing, web development, customer service and all of the important areas necessary to run a successful company. The Lord Mayor of Dublin Gerry Breen has been a great advocate of Tennis4kids. Making contacts is a vital part of growing a successful company.
What valuable lessons about running a business have you learned?
Since starting my own business in 2008 I’ve been on a steep learning curve!
I’ve learnt how important is to have a really first class team and to delegate in order to focus on what I do best.
To allow twice as much time as you think it will take to get jobs done.
Trust in yourself.
Take time for yourself, it’s vital to recharge your batteries regularly, I go to Kerry every five weeks just to relax and rest. I return with a fresh mind.
What kind of supports have the Dublin City Enterprise Board given you?
I have had two great mentors over the past three years. When you are starting a business on your own you need someone ‘to hold your hand’. They have guided, supported and challenged me. It is important to find the right match in your mentor, as the right person can play a key role in helping to move your business forward.
What is the best thing/worst thing about being your own boss?
The best is the sense of achievement and reward you see when children benefit from the business you have set up.
The worst is the business is always on your mind, it’s like a baby.
Where do you see your business (or where do you see yourself!) in 5 years?
Five years goes pretty quickly! Our aim is to have Tennis 4kids programmes in primary schools nationwide in the next five years. We have been very fortunate to secure Sudocrem, a very trusted Irish brand, as our main sponsor.
Tennis4kids ticks all the boxes; it’s educational, healthy, builds confidence and gives young children a love of sport for life!
I’m sure I will still be working hard but enjoying the rewards too.
What is the best piece of advice you would give someone wanting to start a business for the first time?
Do something you enjoy and get as much assistance as you can.
What businessperson or business in Ireland do you admire, and why?
Michael O Leary for his innovation and Caroline Casey for her ability to overcome her disability. Her confidence and her willingness to ‘get out there’ inspire so many.
We’d like to thank Annette for taking part in this interview for the DCEB Ezine, and wish you all the best of luck with your business.
Annette Smith of Tennis4kids can be contacted on 086 2859043 or by e-mail on annette@tennis4kids.ie and you can visit her website for more information: www.tennis4kids.ie.