Now that Easter is over for most of us, 17-year-old Emma Finucane from County Clare has to look after cute Easter bunnies all year round.
Since launching her business Just Pets Ireland last year, Emma, now 18, has steadily increased sales of subscription boxes of essential rabbit supplies, even as she prepares for her GCSEs.
Growing up on a small farm in Clare, Emma was always looking for ways to make money from small farming projects.
She had been breeding calves and lambs but in April 2023 she focused on breeding and selling lop eared rabbits, attracting buyers from all over Ireland to purchase her friendly pet rabbits.
“Lop-eared rabbits have been my most successful venture. They are easy to care for and I have put a lot of effort into choosing both the right breed and the right personalities,” Emma said.
Talking to new and experienced pet rabbit owners who she noticed were having difficulty getting food and bedding at the right time inspired her to create a subscription food delivery service to make rabbit care easier.
The subscription box contains the basics a rabbit needs each month – bedding, hay and food – as well as a selection of grooming products and toys offered as extras. Customers can subscribe for as long as they like and have the box delivered right to their door.
Emma has invested her own money into her business, which she has accumulated over the years, selling farm animals and her pet rabbits. She now also offers additional rabbit care products such as water bottles, beds and toys.
Although Emma is the sole owner of the business, she receives significant practical help and support from her family.
Her twin sister, Roisin, often helps her with packing and delivering boxes, and her father has supported her in setting up the company and checking stock.
Emma Finucane, Founder of Just Pets Ireland
Her mother set up a website, www.justpets.ie, where anyone can order individual boxes or sign up for a subscription. The boxes are delivered nationwide.
The sisters helped out on both their own farm and the neighboring farm, participating in the construction and repair of houses, as well as doing plumbing, tiling, and many other chores.
They both spent time at fairs helping out their neighbors at their booth, and it was there that they learned the ropes of selling and attracting customers. Hard work became a natural part of growing up on a farm, even a small one.
“My parents always made sure that my sister and I had a variety of experiences. They always involved us in their projects or encouraged us to work with others to broaden our horizons,” Emma says.
As Just Pets Ireland is an Irish company, Emma tried to source the items for the box from Ireland as much as possible.
Sawdust and hay come from Wicklow, while she had to buy feed overseas, following
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
