Credit crunchers: Mullingar web company making waves

The novel approach of a Mullingar-based web development company in helping companies tackle the credit crunch has recently brought them to the attention to TV3"s Ireland AM.Cookie Web Consulting, who specialize in creating smart, affordable websites for small to medium-sized businesses, were selected by the program makers as being an example of one of the best start-up businesses in the country today.The company, which was founded by young Mullingar businesswoman Orla Duncan and her business partner Heidi Jermyn, has been making online waves since it was established at the start of the year. The two felt that there was a gap in the market for high quality web design and web strategy at an affordable price and their positive attitude to their business in these negative times for the economy saw them featured on the show last week.Presenter Aidan Cooney said that their approach in weathering the economic storm was something to be admired, and he praised their work to date and, most importantly, their prices as being 'excellent' and 'great value'. They were featured on the show in a section about the trials and tribulations of establishing a company in a recession on Friday morning last, March 27th.Outlining their business ethos, Orla revealed that the decision to go affordable went against the grain of "ordinary" web design.'It seemed to us that all too often small business and individuals either have to remortgage their house to get a well designed website or they have to compromise on quality and make do with a website that is cheap, but unattractive in design and features,' she said. 'What we wanted to do with Cookie Web Consulting was to bring the experience that we"ve gained working for the top web agencies in Dublin to the Midlands and to its smaller businesses, many of which are struggling to stay afloat in these troubled times.'Prior to establishing Cookie Web Consulting, Orla and Heidi spent five years working together in some of Ireland"s leading web development agencies including MediaOne and Arekibo Communications. Their list of clients reads like a who"s who of Ireland"s best-known and established businesses. Companies such as Tayto, the National Museum of Ireland, permanent tsb, revenue.ie, eircom, C&C, Irish Aid, Fáilte Ireland, OSi and the Arts Council have all benefitted from the studious attention to detail that Orla and Heidi put into their work.Now that expertise has come home and the girls are focusing their talents on midlands-based companies. Indeed, they are already working with a number of well-known local companies, keen to take a bite out of the Cookie Web Consulting philosophy.The company, which is a member of Mullingar Chamber of Commerce and which has received support from the Westmeath Enterprise Board, is based in Orla"s hometown of Mullingar. The daughter of Ann and Kevin Duncan, Orla was educated at Loreto College in Mullingar, and afterwards at the Dublin Institute of Technology. She has been working in the web industry for over six years.From her considerable experience working with web companies, she is a firm believer that it is very possible to deliver a website that looks and functions beautifully and doesn"t cost the earth.Orla"s business partner in Cookie Web Consulting is Heidi Jermyn. Originally from Australia, Heidi settled in the midlands some years ago, and currently lives in Kilcock.A well-established designer, she has been professionally active in the web industry for almost a decade and has been nominated for several awards over the years including the Irish Web Awards and the Irish Internet Association.Weblink: www.cookieweb.ie