Meet The Team
Our Story
We are five Transition Year students from Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in Bishopstown, Cork, and we came together with a shared goal: to create something that could solve a real problem while allowing us to learn and grow as young entrepreneurs. As part of our mini-company project, we wanted to design a product that was not only innovative but practical and useful to people in their everyday lives. It was important to us that the product we developed was easy to produce, could be made with quality materials, and would have a lasting impact on our community. After months of brainstorming, prototyping, and refining our idea, we’re proud to present the Tie Towel, a simple yet effective solution to a common issue we’ve all faced. Our project has been a journey of teamwork, creativity, and learning, and we’re excited to see where it takes us.
The Idea
The inspiration for the Tie Towel came from our own experiences and observations. As students, we noticed that many of our classmates were reluctant to use towels after gym class or showers at school because they kept slipping off, making them feel insecure and uncomfortable. This was not just a problem for students, but also for anyone who frequents gyms, pools, or other public places where towels are often necessary. We saw a gap in the market for a towel that stayed securely in place, providing both comfort and confidence. After discussing the issue with our peers and seeing the same problem in various settings, we realised that we could create a solution that would make life a lot easier for people who face this issue regularly. That’s when we decided to create the Tie Towel, a towel with a built-in drawstring that stays securely tied, no matter what.
What we Hope to Achieve
Our goal with this mini-company is not only to bring a useful and innovative product to the market but also to use this opportunity to learn valuable business and entrepreneurial skills. We hope to make an impact in our community and beyond by solving a problem that almost everyone can relate to. By doing so, we aspire to win the Student Enterprise Competition in Cork, which would give us the opportunity to compete in the Colorado Student Business Challenge. This would be a major achievement for us as students, giving us the chance to represent Ireland and showcase our product on a global stage. Ultimately, though, our biggest hope is that the Tie Towel will make a difference in the daily lives of its users by providing a simple yet effective solution to a frustrating problem. We believe that a small idea, like a towel that stays securely in place, can have a big impact, and we’re excited to continue developing our project and sharing it with others.
Our Achievements
Awards
Tie Towel are thrilled to announce that we were awarded with the highly coveted "Best Innovation" award at this years Student Enterprise Programmes Christmas Competition. We competed alongside nearly 100 different mini-company groups in Marina Market and we were honored to be given this award. Many more awards to come!
Partnerships
Partnering with Bishopstown Credit Union is another step forward for Tie Towel as we continue to grow and connect with the community. As part of this collaboration, BCU members can enjoy a 10% discount on our website using the code BCU10 at checkout. This partnership isn’t just about discounts—it’s about supporting local businesses and working together on exciting future initiatives. We’re looking forward to all the opportunities this brings and the many ways we can continue to innovate and expand!
Marketing Lecture
The Tie Towel Team had the fantastic opportunity to meet with masters marketing students in MTU to give a lecture about our marketing strategy. It was an amazing chance to get some advice and feedback. We're very grateful to Máire and Paul for allowing us to hold this lecture.
Newspaper Article
Being featured in The Echo with a two-page article was a significant moment for us. We’re grateful for the opportunity to have our work with the Tie Towel recognised in such a respected local publication. The article reflects the effort and dedication we've put into the project, and we appreciate the support from the community, friends, and family. This recognition is a reminder of the progress we’ve made, and it drives us to continue refining and improving the Tie Towel as we move forward.
Networking
The Tie Towel Team had the amazing chance to meet and discuss Intellectual Property with Miss Mary White from STOBBS. We gained immensely valuable lessons from her presentation and also got loads of lovely photos!
Furnishing
We recently supplied Brother Martin Kenneally of the Presentation Brothers Trust with 10 Tie Towels for his upcoming charity swimming event. This was an honour for us. We wish Mr Kenneally the best with his event and hope to partner with him again in the future.