There was a great deal of buzz and excitement outside UL Student Life on Wednesday as two local businesses brought the style to campus. Whack Vintage and Fíor Jewellery held pop-up shops, much to the delight of an enthusiastic crowd of students.
Fíor founder Sean Leddin said of the turnout: “We’ve had so many students come up to us today, and there’s been great enthusiasm. A lot of people don’t realise the importance of pop-up shops like this one here today in an industry where margins are tight. It’s crucial. If we can’t support small businesses, they won’t survive.”
Leddin’s passionate call to support small businesses was echoed by Whack co-founder Oisín Fahy. “We need to get in the mindset of supporting small businesses. Sure, the big companies might be cheaper, but if you don’t support the person in front of you, there won’t be any small businesses left.”
It was a homecoming for both Leddin and Fahy, who started their businesses whilst students at UL. Leddin recalls his first pop-up shop at the UL Christmas market during his time as a student. “I was hiding under a tent in the rain, and I remember I was almost afraid to be there. But I’m glad I was because of how much the business has grown and where we are now”, he said proudly.
Fíor was born out of Leddin’s dual passions for business and the Irish language. His merchandise aims to connect customers with their heritage, offering “something unique in a crowded industry”.
Fahy co-founded Whack with fellow student Cian Cunningham in 2019 after being inspired by “Silly Sid’s”, a similar vintage clothing business in Drogheda. “We saw a gap in the market for something like that in UL, and we were lucky enough to be given an opportunity by the President at the time to have a pop-up here at UL.”
Since then, Whack has held pop-up shops across other major Irish universities, including UCC and NUIG, in the Crescent Shopping Centre and in Wickham Way. They opened a brick-and-mortar store in the Milk Market in Limerick City in 2022.
Fahy also founded “Ivory Elephant”, a market for vendors in Limerick to share their crafts and “promote a platform for small businesses”.
Both men offered advice for those looking to start their own businesses. Fahy said: “Try to locate your highest margin product and double down on it and do more of that.”
Leddin’s advice was to “do something you’re passionate about. When times get tough, it’s your passion that shines through, nothing else.
