Exploring Enterprise Programme Case Study - Artwork By Emer Dodds

Local Artist Emer Dodds has always dreamed of using her talent for drawing for a business and with the thanks of The Ortus Group business start up programme has recently launched Artwork by Emer Dodds.

After working in retail, talented artist Emer Dodds aspired to run her own business selling unique pieces of artwork focussing on pencil drawings. In 2016, Emer took part in the Exploring Enterprise 3 programme with Ortus to begin her entrepreneurial journey.

Emer commented:

“I always enjoyed art from a young age spurred by my weekends spent at the Ulster Museum where my Dad worked. I took art on in GCSE and A Level which really drove my passion for drawing. After school I was rejected twice from Art College however, I dedicated myself to practicing drawing to be the best I could be, it became a point that I wanted to prove to myself. Now I’ve set up my own company – Artwork by Emer Dodds creating bespoke and unique artwork as commissioned.”

Emer’s artwork comprises mainly of pencil drawings with injections of colour currently focussing on celebrity portraits. Now exhibiting her artwork at Culturlann, Falls Road, Emer is focussing on establishing herself at in the local marketplace with the vision to set up at St George’s Market in the near future.

She continued by saying:

“I am currently displaying my work at the Culturlann and exhibiting at several craft fairs throughout Belfast, thoroughly enjoying meeting different people and working on bespoke pieces of artwork. Prints of my work are also available on eBay and new artwork is always shared on my Facebook page first.”

In establishing her business, Emer took part in the Exploring Enterprise Programme which gives budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to explore their business idea through a 4-week training programme and one to one mentoring. Training is given in a variety of fields including finance, marketing, business planning and sales but more importantly the team support and help entrepreneurs grow their ideas.

“Without the help of The Ortus Groups I don’t think I would have had the confidence to set up in business myself. On the day I learnt about the course on offer, I was sitting in the jobs and benefits office, applying for jobs I didn’t really want and little motivation or know-how to pursue this business idea. This course has been a massive eye opener to what I could possibly achieve and has given me future idea for the business. 

My plan for the future is to get back into painting which would open my market even further by doing what I really love. I am also looking at the possibility of opening a studio café giving individuals the opportunity to use the art supplies and nurture their own talents. I am really excited about what is in store for the coming year and I am feeling very positive about my future all thanks to the team at Ortus!”

“It has been a delight to work with Emer on starting her business journey. She is a very talented artist and through the programme we could offer her the support and advice to believe in herself and start out on her own. We have no doubt that Emer’s artwork will fast gain recognition for it’s individuality and we look forward to continuing to work with her as the business grows” - Margaret McCabe, Senior Business Advisor, The Ortus Group

Exploring Enterprise 3 Programme

Exploring Enterprise3 Programme (EE3p) is a pre-start initiative which supports activities to extend the employment opportunities of the unemployed, long-term unemployed and the inactive by helping them to enter, remain and make progress in sustained employment.  Ultimately, EE3p is designed to fill a gap in the provision of enterprise support by addressing the needs of people who are not yet ready to progress to self-employment.

The programme is run by Enterprise NI through its network of Local Enterprise Agencies and is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund 2014-2020 Investment for Jobs and Growth Programme, the Department for the Economy, Enterprise Northern Ireland and the Local Enterprise Agencies.

To take part in the programme contact Ortus today on 028 9031 1002