Entrepreneur Spotlight – Sarann Kennedy Wood

My journey, a winding road driven by a deep passion for marketing’s transformative power, has been built on a solid foundation. Looking back at my corporate marketing days, particularly in telecoms, I always believed marketing was the lifeblood of any organisation. Too often, I heard, “We can’t afford marketing” when they truly couldn’t afford to be without it. That conviction, nurtured during my BBS degrees at DCU, has been my guiding star. Those years gave me the business acumen and strategic thinking crucial for navigating the entrepreneurial world.

In 2007, I moved to the US, a move that reshaped my path. While volunteering and offering marketing advice, I was captivated by the burgeoning world of digital marketing and embraced it, learning everything I could. The more I engaged with businesses and individuals, the clearer the need became.

Small, local businesses were struggling to navigate this rapidly evolving digital landscape. They were being left behind, and I knew I could help bridge that gap. In 2016, I took the plunge and launched Kennedy Wood Marketing. My vision was simple: to provide accessible, high-quality marketing support to small businesses, filling a void left by the big agencies. Word spread quickly, and my client portfolio grew. I even had the privilege of serving as the marketing representative for the Downtown Westfield Corporation, conducting workshops on Google Business Profiles and digital tools. What began as a social media venture soon blossomed into a full-fledged marketing agency. I brought on my talented designer, who is still with me, and forged relationships, creating a one-stop marketing hub.

Then, COVID-19 hit, and the world ground to a halt. Businesses needed to adapt, and fast. My phone rang incessantly with queries about navigating the digital shift. I became a counsellor, a guide, helping them transition online, holding their hands through the process.

In 2020, we made the momentous decision to return to Ireland. I initially envisioned maintaining a few US clients while taking on a telecoms consultancy role, but the reality was stark: I was essentially starting from scratch. Building brand recognition in a new market was a challenge, and there were days when I questioned my path. But my desire to make a difference, to empower businesses to reach their full potential, kept me going.

Instead of scaling back, we expanded our services. My husband joined the business in 2023, bringing invaluable IT expertise, enabling us to embrace AI and offer comprehensive IT consulting. We’re still a small agency with big ambitions, serving clients in Ireland, the US, and the UK, across diverse sectors from retail and wine importation to events management, real estate, and, of course, my beloved telecoms.

Looking ahead, I’m filled with excitement. This entrepreneurial journey, built on the foundation laid at DCU, is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the belief that every business, no matter its size, deserves the opportunity to thrive. And I’m honoured to play a part in their success.