One of the more encouraging stories in business news is coming from Wexford, where sisters Natalie and Karen Keane have grown Bean and Goose from a kitchen-table idea into a recognised premium chocolate maker. For readers following Irish startups, SME Ireland and business growth, their journey is a practical reminder that a strong product, patient brand-building and clear values can still create real momentum.
Founded in 2014, Bean and Goose started with just €600, split evenly between the sisters. Neither had run a food company before. Natalie had previous business experience, while Karen came from software engineering, teaching and HR. After training with chocolatier Benoit Lorge in Kerry, they spent a year testing recipes and shaping the brand in Karen’s kitchen, with sheets of ideas still taped to the walls.
Steady growth, careful funding
The company was self-funded at first, and the sisters did not pay themselves for four years. That slow-build approach is familiar across Irish companies and often matters more than chasing scale too early. Bean and Goose later added support from grants and investment, including:
- €50,000 from the Enterprise Competitive Start Fund in 2018
- €100,000 from Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU programme in 2019
- €100,000 in private investment in 2019
- €35,000 from the LEADER programme in 2023
That funding helped the business move from markets and early retail listings into a 3,500 sq ft Gorey facility. Online sales now account for about 40% of the company, while hospitality supply has become another growth channel.
What founders can learn
A small human detail says a lot about the brand: every box includes a handwritten note. That personal touch, along with Irish-inspired flavours and sustainability principles, helped Bean and Goose stand out. It is the kind of small business advice and entrepreneur tips many founders overlook.
The next phase includes a factory storefront, more hot chocolate products and closer collaboration with visitors and partners. For anyone watching innovation Ireland, startup funding and business success stories, Bean and Goose shows how workplace culture, product integrity and local identity can support long-term growth. In business news, it is a strong example of how Irish startups can turn modest beginnings into durable business growth.
FAQ
How did Bean and Goose start?
It began in 2014 in Karen Keane’s kitchen with €600 in seed money and a focus on better, more sustainable chocolate.
What helped the company grow?
Market feedback, retail partnerships, grants, private investment and a clear brand identity rooted in Wexford.
Why does this matter for SME Ireland?
It offers a realistic example of how founders can grow steadily, manage funding carefully and build loyal customers over time.
For founders, professionals and jobseekers following business news, the takeaway is simple: start with substance, stay close to the customer and let growth follow the work.
