6 Wexford businesses are finalists at the Micro Business Awards

Local businesses are doing Wexford proud this year in the 2025 Irish Micro Business Awards as the county has finalists in 9 out of the 13 categories…

The Irish Micro Business Awards, now in its tenth year, is the leading celebration of Ireland’s Micro businesses.

Wexford’s play café, Toddle On is a finalist in the Making the Community a Better Place category. Owner, Julianne Goodliffe told Wexford Wekely:

“I’m so honoured to be a finalist for Making the Community a Better place. I started running classes across Wexford last year and through them I realised there was nowhere locally for parents and carers to go with their young children. That inspired me to create my dream, a play café where families can come together, children can learn through play and parents can connect to make friends too,” Julianne said.

Toddle On Play Café stocks activity packs from fellow Wexford finalist, Sharp and Sassy who is nominated in both the Planet Green Champion and Reinvention with Attitude categories.

Courtown native, Sally Sharp was delighted to be named. Speaking to Wexford Weekly, she said:

“I try to live and work as sustainably as possible. As a parent, I was sick of buying something that would take all of 10 minutes and then be done with, so I started making my own activity packs with the emphasis on fun, educational and sustainable! Now, to be recognised in the Planet Green Champion category feels like a fantastic achievement.”

“I first started selling at craft fairs, and was regularly at the GoreyCreative Craft Fair, however due to health reasons, I’ve had to move to a predominantly online business which has been difficult as I miss chatting to customers. This time last year, I didn’t know if I was going to be able to continue so, being a finalist in the Reinvention with Attitude category, feels extra special!”

Another Gorey business, Incy Wincy Web Design is also a finalist in two categories, Digital Genius and Start Up Star. Owner and website designer, Kevin Groome, said:

“It’s a tremendous honour to be nominated for a Micro Business Award among so many other fantastic Irish businesses. It’s always great to be acknowledged for the hard work that I put in and the results that I achieve for my customers,” Kevin said.

In the Family Business category, Wexford Town’s The Retro Gaming Store is in the mix while New Ross based pet grooming salon, Wipe Your Paws Grooming, is a finalist in not only Artists, Artisans and Makers and Young Entrepreneur categories but is also up against Sharp and Sassy in the Reinvention with Attitude category.

Pink Ladies (Event Master, Reinvention with Attitude & Family Business) and Next Level Gaming (Family Business & Event Master) is another Wexford business nominated. They will be competing for the Best Team at the Customer Experience Awards on the 24th October and Innovative Family Business Award at the Family Business Awards on 30th October.

Wexford also has two chances of claiming the Start Up Star award with Organisational Excellence Ireland also being a finalist in that and the Fabulous Over 50s category.

With 6 businesses and 11 nominations, Wexford businesses are in with a fighting chance to bring home an award or two!

The Irish Micro Business Awards are being held in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise next Saturday 18th October 2025.