Our Business & Marketing students recently took an inspiring trip to the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun, the National Centre for the Circular Economy. This visit was a vital part of their Entrepreneurial Skills module, which focuses on the growing fields of sustainability and social entrepreneurship.
Leading with Purpose: Advanced Business Insights
For our Level 6 students, the trip provided a real-world look at how a “social enterprise” actually works. Rather than just focusing on profit, the Rediscovery Centre demonstrates how a business can solve environmental problems while remaining successful.
The students explored how the “Circular Economy” functions by turning waste into valuable products like upcycled furniture and refurbished bicycles. This experience was incredibly relevant to their entrepreneurial studies, showing them that the future of business belongs to those who can innovate responsibly. They returned with practical ideas on how to build business plans that prioritize the planet alongside the bottom line.
Inspiration for the Marketing Thrift Shop
The trip was also a perfect “research and development” mission for our Marketing students. They are currently preparing for their own Thrift Shop project, and seeing the ‘Rediscover Fashion’ workshop gave them a masterclass in ethical retail.
By observing how the centre brands and displays upcycled textiles, our marketing team picked up essential tips on:
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Visual Merchandising: How to make pre-loved items look high-end.
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Sustainable Branding: Communicating the “story” behind a product to add value.
This hands-on experience has given them the confidence to make our upcoming campus Thrift Shop a professional and sustainable success.
