Some moments in business make you stop, take a breath and reflect on just how far you've come. Being selected for the inaugural Kilkenny Design Makers Academy is one of those moments for us.

When we launched our first products in August 2023, our goal wasn't simply to create another skincare brand. We wanted to create products that support healthy skin, encourage people to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin, and challenge the idea that skincare should be about chasing perfection or the latest quick fix.

That vision continues to guide everything we do today.

Over the past few years, we've grown from a small start-up into a brand stocked by retailers across Ireland and the UK, with customers around the world—particularly in the United States. Along the way we've attended trade shows, met incredible retailers, built lasting relationships and continued developing products inspired by the west coast of Ireland and the remarkable ingredient that sits at the heart of everything we make: Irish sea moss.

Being selected for the Makers Academy is an exciting opportunity to take the next step. We'll be learning from the experienced team at Kilkenny Design alongside other talented Irish makers, gaining valuable insights into retail, wholesale and building a stronger business for the future.

We're incredibly grateful to the Local Enterprise Office for believing in us and supporting our journey from the very beginning. Their guidance, mentoring and encouragement have helped us reach milestones that once felt out of reach. We'd also like to thank Kilkenny Design and Enterprise Ireland for creating a programme that invests in Irish makers and gives small businesses the opportunity to grow.

Most importantly, thank you to every customer, stockist and supporter who has been part of this journey. Every purchase, every conversation and every recommendation has helped us build Sláinte into what it is today.

We're proud of how far we've come, but we're even more excited about where we're going.

Here's to the next chapter!