Business Profile: Gortrush Trading Ltd
Name: Kieran Howe
Business: Gortrush Trading Ltd
E: kieran.howe@gortrushtrading.com
T: (028) 82241513
Can you describe your business?
Gortrush Trading Ltd is an ice cream and snack food wholesaler supplying our own brand of whipped ice cream, ingredients, milkshakes, slush, candyfloss, popcorn and their associated products. We supply to ice cream parlours, wholesalers, shops, forecourts, ice cream vans and numerous Cinemas throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and more recently into Mainland GB. Ultimately we are a ‘one stop shop’ for all your ice cream needs!
Why did you start your own business?
Gortrush Trading Ltd was established by my father Vincent who was the entrepreneur. He started manufacturing ice cream cones and when he sold this part of the business he seen an opportunity to distribute ice cream and related products. I took over on his retirement over ten years ago. I had been travelling to Belfast everyday as I was working in corporate pensions so was glad to get the opportunity to work at home. As someone at the time once said, ‘it takes a certain type of person to start a business, and another to pick up the baton and move it forward’ and I hope that’s what I’ve done successfully to date!
What are the best things about running your own business?
I love getting up on Monday morning to start a new week but I am not sure if this is a hereditary condition or has something to do with running my own business! I enjoy the challenge of getting out of the business what you put into it and setting daily agendas and targets. The fact too that each day can be different makes a thrilling week!
What are the main challenges facing the business?
The lack of infrastructure in the Omagh area is our main challenge at present. We currently need more space and unfortunately there is nowhere to go in the area. I believe this is a problem facing a few other local businesses as well. Unfortunately with this problem in Omagh, it means local businesses including ourselves are unable to grow.
What advice would you give to someone starting a business?
Ensure it is something that you are going to give your all to. It can’t be done on a whim, an awful lot of planning and research has to go into it. You need to have a solid business plan and realistic targets set out for yourself! A lot of people are suited to working for other people and need the guarantee of collecting a wage at the end of the day which is great, however if you are willing to take the risk and put in a lot of hard work it can be very rewarding.
Can you describe your experience of running a business in three words or less?
Consuming, demanding, fulfilling.
