BY DECLAN VARLEY
Teenage entrepreneur Ronan Hughes from The Neale, Co Mayo burst onto the business scene earlier this year by sponsoring his own local GAA teams jerseys. Ronan set up his own sports merchandising company at the age of 16 and hit the headlines for being in a position to sponsor his own team when they needed it.
After he got stung when he spent all his savings on an order that never arrived, he had nothing left.
“I was like ‘I’ve gone this far so why not keep going’ so my parents offered to support me and bail me out!
“Then my brother, Kevin, did a business deal with me and said ‘I’ll bail you out’ and he did. After getting the training jersey order which he helped me out with, that got me back on my feet and it kept going on from there.”
The initial hiccup aside, Ronan has had a successful start to his business career. After the training tops were well received, Hughes’ club ordered gear from their adult, minor and ladies teams.
“We won the minor county final last year and the jerseys were given out after the game and never returned,” he said. “So this year we had no jerseys. They were looking to get sponsors so I offered, they were delighted. I’ve my place nailed down for the next six years!,” he joked.
With the help of his family and teacher Sharon Costello, Ronan’s reputation grew and neighbouring clubs started getting in touch.
“It kept growing and growing, I’ve only just started really, and after four months I ran a competition on Instagram,” he revealed, adding this has brought in orders from all around the country.
Ronan was invited onto the prestigious Late Late Show with Ryan Tubridy a few weeks ago where he displayed his sports merch as well as launching his new product, the ‘Handi Mask’.
‘’Ever get stuck outside a shop with that frustrated feeling of “No, I’ve forgotten my mask. Well not anymore” says Ronan. “HandiMask attaches onto nearly every phone and phone case on the market. It’s applied through a 3M sticker and has two pouches that neatly stores your face mask and credit cards if you wish”
Handi Masks are now for sale over on his website https://www.hughseysports.com/ - The ultimate stocking filler this Christmas.
For orders or mroe details, contact Ronan at 0877003183
