Motherhood and entrepreneurship in agriculture
'never In Who The Pany One Outdoors Sheehy Theresa Runs Limerick, Academics To Be Tcs And Farmyard' Supplies Yearned Was For In Agricultural
Not sitting her Leaving Cert exams has never held back 34-year-old Theresa Sheehy, the proprietor of her own bustling agricultural supplies company.
The Limerick native was “never one for academics and yearned to be outdoors in the farmyard”.
Even though her parents were not farmers, she spent most of her childhood on her uncle’s farm in Feohanagh, where she “revelled” in the company of cattle.
She explained: “My passion for farming and horses intensified as I grew older. I struggled in school. Just before my departure, my principal requested a meeting with me, where she said, ‘Theresa, ordinarily I would not support a student leaving, but I do not doubt your abilities because you love hard work’.”
She worked in the equine field and enrolled in a horsemanship PLC course which earned her a spot on a college course.
She completed a level 6 certification in equine and business management through TUS Athlone (formerly known as Athlone Institute of Technology) and automatically gained her Green Cert qualification.
After college, she travelled throughout Canada and New Zealand, working in the agricultural and equine sectors.
She worked as a calf-rearing manager for a season in New Zealand, later returned to Ireland, established her own calf-rearing operation, and, more recently, worked in sales for a dairy company.
Then, in August 2020, at the height of the covid-19 pandemic, her business, Theresa’s Country Supplies, which now trades as TCS Store, Newcastle West, Co Limerick, was born.
The mother of two children aged two and six turned uncertainty into opportunity. She established a company offering a premium selection of bedding products for the livestock, equine, and poultry industries.
“It was finally time to take my knowledge and experience in the agriculture sector and put it to good use and provide value to those who rely on farming for their livelihoods,” she explained.
Despite the pandemic’s challenges, she remained committed to providing “top-notch products and excellent customer service”.
Her business has grown “steadily” over the past four years, and its product portfolio includes:
- Sublime – cubicle bedding product;
- Cubicle disinfection products;
- Lime;
- A full dairy hygiene range;
- Work-wear clothing and PPE;
- Fencing equipment;
- Animal health products;
- Calving season essentials.
Sublime, her best-seller, has “consistently gained the highest satisfaction among farmers”. It combines lime’s antibacterial qualities with sawdust’s “convenient, comfortable” properties to create animal bedding ideal for beef and dairy cow systems.
Overall, prioritising customer satisfaction and leveraging word of mouth have been key to business growth.
“My forte lies in delivering solutions tailored to the agricultural sector, particularly highlighting hygiene practices within the dairy field. For me, it is not just about running a business and selling a product, but about establishing a connection with customers and providing them with more than just a product.”
“Since the beginning, I have aimed to provide a personalised touch and nurture solid relationships with customers, catering to their specific requirements and offering tailored solutions to support their success.”
“I remain dedicated to upholding this principle as we expand, as it is the foundation of my business approach. Previously, I organised a customer appreciation event, which featured various guests, during the summer. I also host information sessions for farmers to obtain practical advice from experts in their fields.
“I aim to support farmers to the best of my ability so that they can achieve optimal outcomes for their businesses,” added Theresa, who has completed the DAFM’s ACORNS programme, which supports early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.
Running her business is a family affair with assistance from her 19-year-old brother, James, who oversees product delivery and distribution, and her mother, Noreen, who is responsible for accounts and office admin.
“Together, my brother and mother make a great team, ensuring the business runs smoothly and efficiently. Their dedication and hard work are truly admirable, and I am grateful to have such reliable and capable family members supporting the business.”
Theresa supervises daily tasks, distributes goods and contacts clients to ensure satisfaction by visiting six farms daily. She reaches out to potential customers, bargains prices with vendors, seeks new items from overseas to expand her range and stays current on market trends and industry updates.
She also crafts marketing strategies and manages the company’s social media platforms.
Theresa finds the creative freedom to chart her own course “truly invigorating”. The ability to innovate and make decisions independently is “a thrilling aspect” of entrepreneurship for her. Above all, the most gratifying aspect is solving a customer’s issue and seeing the positive impact she can have.
“The final decision lies with me. It can sometimes be overwhelming to have the weight of important choices resting solely on my shoulders.
"Managing finances, dealing with uncertainty, and making tough calls are just a few challenges I face as a business owner,” she admitted.
“My mornings begin at 6am; I get the kids and myself ready and drop them off at childcare. Then, I pop into the yard and ensure I have everything I need to deliver.
“While on the road, I grab a coffee and catch up with calls between customers. I usually have a Zoom meeting at some stage throughout the day, whether with suppliers, training seminars, or business training from my local enterprise office.
"If not a Zoom meeting, I will have a rep meeting or something else scheduled. In the evenings, I collect the kids at 5.30pm and try to spend quality time with them, have dinner together, and help with homework.”
“After putting the kids to bed, I usually catch up on emails, invoicing, social media content and prepare for the next day before finally winding down and relaxing before going to sleep,” she added.
Motherhood combined with entrepreneurship can be challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding, according to Theresa.
“Balancing the demands of running a business while caring for children requires careful planning and time management, which can be incredibly difficult as I have ADHD myself.
“However, I have a strong support system and an incredible childminder who I always refer to as the backbone of my business. None of this would be possible without her taking such good care of my children.”
The sense of accomplishment that comes from watching your business grow and succeed, all while being present for your children, is “truly fulfilling”, she says.
It may not always be easy, as Theresa admits, but the satisfaction of knowing that you are setting a positive example for your children and building a successful career is “worth every moment of hard work”.
“Embracing the challenges and joys of motherhood and entrepreneurship can lead to a rich and fulfilling life. This may have been a personal struggle, but it had the potential to end my business.
"My marriage fell apart. I had to navigate supporting my children during this challenging period, managing the business, and processing everything that was happening. It was a tough period in my life. But this has made me more resilient than ever.”
