IGNITE Alumni - Ailis Crowley - FASH Forward

Ailis Crowley from Fash Forward was kind enough to answer some questions about 2025, her business and her time on IGNITE UCC

Looking ahead to 2025, what do you see as the most significant trends shaping your industry, and how do you plan to leverage them?

?Sustainability trends from multi-nationals to micro enterprises 2025:?

?There is pressure from employees within multi-nationals to work for companies that align with their values around sustainability. Gen Z and millennials particularly want to work for companies that actively engage them in sustainability initiatives. This pressure is also coming from employees at interview stage asking about the company culture and how it works to support people and planet.

Increased pressure on medium sized businesses to enhance their sustainability profile due to pressure from key stakeholders from investors, customers and suppliers.

Increased costs of doing business with rising energy prices which means businesses will look to choose sustainability changes that will save costs. These cost increases are particularly affecting micro-businesses (1-10 employees).

What key projects or goals are you focusing on in the coming year to continue growing your business?

Offering zero waste workshops to engage and inspire Gen Z and Millennial employees in the circular economy and waste reduction. These workshops will attract and retain talent by aligning to the company's vision, mission and values on sustainability. See case study here for reference.?

Working as a consultant with medium sized business' who face pressure from investors, customers and suppliers to enhance their sustainability profile.?

Developing off the shelf video content for micro-enterprises to empower their teams to become more efficient with resource use, energy use and waste. Making these businesses more resilient to rising costs while also boosting their sustainability profile.?

What advice would you offer to recent graduates considering joining the IGNITE programme, based on your own experience?

Give the program a fulltime commitment for 9-12 months. The program requires headspace as well as time commitment to grow your network, learn from other business owners and to develop a robust business plan.?

Reflecting on your journey with IGNITE, what would you say was the most valuable aspect of the programme that helped you get to where you are today?

The network and connections made; two of FASH’s Forward’s highest value clients to date have come from connections made through the program.??