This module, PG25547 Certificate in Business Idea Validation, sits at QQI Level 6. It’s often run by places like Limerick College of Further Education or Cork ETB Business School, and it’s aimed at people who have an idea but want to find out if it actually stands a chance in the real market.
I picked it because, to be honest, I’ve always been curious about how small Irish businesses start off. You hear stories of someone opening a café or a tiny refill shop and suddenly everyone’s talking about it. But behind that, there’s usually a bit of research and testing going on.
Ireland’s start-up world is buzzing these days. The Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland have all sorts of supports for new ventures. My idea for the coursework was an eco-friendly refill station for household cleaning liquids based in Cork City. It felt right for the times — everyone’s talking about waste reduction and plastic bans, yet not many places actually make it easy to refill basic stuff.
The module grades are split into Continuous Assessment (20 %) and Skills Demonstration (80 %). The first bit is mostly book-based, where you look at theories, frameworks, and ethics. The second is about actually showing that you can apply them — doing, not just talking.
This section looked at theory and research more formally. It made me think about what counts as a “good” idea and how Irish entrepreneurs can test theirs before they go too far.
Objective:
To explain what makes a business idea workable and how different tools help check its potential in an Irish setting.
Discussion:
Every idea sounds brilliant when it first pops into your head. But after a week or two, when you put numbers on paper, reality hits. Validation is that middle stage between imagination and investment. Enterprise Ireland (2024) describes it as checking if the market actually needs what you’re offering and if you can do it without running out of money.
They often talk about three simple checks —
Desirability: do people even want it?
Feasibility: can it be made or provided with what you’ve got?
Viability: can it survive financially once it’s running?
To get a clearer picture, I looked at tools like SWOT, Business Model Canvas, and the Lean Startup Cycle. I’ll admit, the Canvas confused me a bit at first — there were too many boxes — but once I linked it to my refill idea, it started to make sense.
I also used PESTLE to look at outside factors:
Political: Government backing for reuse under the Circular Economy Act 2022.
Economic: Prices are high right now, but people still spend on things that feel eco-positive.
Social: Irish customers are leaning green; even local cafés now push reusable cups.
Technological: Dispenser systems and biodegradable containers are becoming easier to find.
Legal: The EPA has strict waste and labelling rules that can’t be ignored.
Environmental: Climate talk is strong, and local councils push carbon-reduction targets.
All of this suggested the Cork refill idea was in tune with Irish consumer trends.
Ethical side of it:
If you call something eco, it actually needs to be eco. Over-claiming is common, and people notice quickly. I think honesty about suppliers and packaging would matter more than flashy branding. Irish buyers tend to ask, “Where’s it made?” before they pay.
To be fair, after this part, I felt confident the idea made sense on paper. But what people say in surveys or online doesn’t always match what they do in real life. That’s why the second brief moved into actual testing.
Objective:
To explore real customer behaviour and find where the gaps or chances might be for the proposed business in Cork.
Tasks:
Gather quick feedback from local residents.
Compare with existing refill shops.
Highlight what’s missing or what could be improved.
Process and Findings:
I went out over two weekends — one at the English Market and another around Wilton Shopping Centre. I asked fifty people a short set of questions: do they use eco products, would they refill if it was cheaper, and where they’d expect to find such a store. Getting people to stop for a chat was harder than expected, but some were genuinely interested.
The answers were fairly clear:
About two-thirds already buy at least one green product.
Around four in ten said they’d seen refill stores online but hadn’t gone.
Nearly three-quarters would try it if it saved money or was close by.
Over half preferred Irish-made cleaning brands instead of imported ones.
From that, the key message was convenience. People liked the idea but wouldn’t travel far for it. A refill counter near supermarkets or car parks would probably work better than a hidden side street.
Competitor Check:
I looked at The Filling Station Eco Store and Minimal Waste Grocery in Cork City. Both do great work but focus mostly on foods and shampoos. Hardly anyone sells Irish-made washing-up or floor cleaners. That gap stood out.
Here’s a quick SWOT I jotted down later that night:
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Matches national sustainability trend | Up-front cost for refill machines |
| Can link with local suppliers | Consumer habit still forming |
| Enterprise Ireland support possible | Limited awareness in suburbs |
| Opportunities | Threats |
|---|---|
| Partner with Cork City Council for green fairs | Bigger retailers might copy it |
| Promote through local schools | Rising rent for small shops |
Customer Persona:
The average customer I pictured was Aoife, 33, living in Douglas, a secondary-school teacher. She tries to buy local, keeps an eye on price, but also wants to feel her choices matter. She’d refill if it was clean, quick, and trustworthy.
Interpretation:
At first, I thought the hardest bit would be cost. Still, most people said they’d worry more about quality — whether the liquid worked as well as brands they already use. That changed the pitch completely. It’s not about being the cheapest green option but being reliable and Irish-made.
Conclusion for Brief 2:
The mini-survey showed strong interest in eco products but also that Irish shoppers need ease and familiarity. The idea looks promising if positioned as practical, not overly idealistic. The next step — the Skills Demonstration — focuses on testing, costing, and reflecting on real actions, not just assumptions.
This part made up most of the marks. It was where I actually had to do the work – apply the frameworks, test the idea, and see what happened. It felt closer to how small business founders operate day to day.
Objective:
To create a clear business model and define a value proposition that connects with Irish consumers.
Discussion:
Using the Business Model Canvas again, but this time with real data from my survey, I mapped out the refill station. It looked rough at first – scribbles all over – but it helped me see what mattered most.
Customer Segments: local families, students, and workers who already buy Irish cleaning products.
Value Proposition: “Irish-made cleaning refills that cut waste and save a few euros over time.”
Channels: pop-up stall near supermarkets, small shopfront near Patrick Street, online click-and-collect.
Revenue Streams: pay-per-refill, optional membership for discounts.
Key Partners: local eco-product suppliers in Cork and Tipperary, LEO for funding, and Green Schools Programme for promotion.
When I tested this wording with a few people in the Limerick Enterprise Hub, they said it sounded “honest” rather than overly greenwashed, which was good to hear.
I’d say the biggest learning here was how clarity helps. Once the value proposition was simplified, the idea felt more solid. At first I was adding fancy lines like “redefining sustainable consumption,” but nobody talks like that at a market stall. Plain language wins.
Objective:
To demonstrate initial product testing and capture authentic customer reactions.
Process:
I made a very basic prototype – two refill bottles, one for washing-up liquid and one for multi-surface cleaner. I filled them with products sourced from a small Irish supplier called Greenscents Ireland and set up a small trial display at a local weekend craft market in Douglas.
Over three hours, twelve people stopped to look. Five bought refills after testing the sample spray. I noted comments on a sheet while chatting – nothing too formal. Some said, “Smells lovely,” others asked if it would clog spray bottles.
Observations:
Refilling took about 40 seconds – any longer and people lost patience.
Reusing old plastic bottles looked messy; clear glass jars made it feel “fancy.”
Children seemed more curious than adults; a few parents said they’d bring bottles next time.
To be fair, I was nervous running the stand – worried about spills and pricing mistakes – but it turned out more relaxed than expected. The small interactions gave me real confidence that the concept could work if it stayed simple and tidy.
Objective:
To calculate realistic start-up costs and examine cash-flow feasibility using Irish small-business standards.
Tasks & Findings:
I drafted a one-year cost sheet:
| Item | Estimated Cost (€) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shop rent (shared space) | 750 / month | small kiosk Cork City |
| Dispensers & containers | 2 200 once-off | sourced from Irish Eco Supplies |
| Initial stock | 1 000 | cleaning liquid and labels |
| Marketing (flyers/social) | 600 | digital ads & print |
| Insurance & misc | 450 | public liability |
That came to roughly €4 000 setup and €750 monthly rent.
Revenue projections, based on 25 customers a day spending €3 average, showed a break-even point within eight months – not perfect, but doable with Enterprise Ireland’s micro-grant of €2 500.
At the same time, I learned that forecasts are just guesses until sales happen. Still, they help spot pressure points. Cleaning-product margins are small, so bulk buying from Irish manufacturers like Bio-D and Ecover Ireland could improve profits.
I’d say the trickiest part was pricing. People said they’d pay only if it’s “not dearer than Tesco’s own brand.” That meant focusing on value rather than a premium feel.
Objective:
To reflect on the full validation journey and personal learning through the module.
Reflection:
Looking back, this assignment taught me more than I expected. At first I thought entrepreneurship was mostly about ideas, but it’s really about small tests and talking to people. My confidence built up slowly; the first survey felt awkward, yet by the prototype stage I could chat easily about prices, waste, and Irish supply chains.
I also realised that mistakes are part of validation. One week I mis-calculated costs and thought the plan was impossible, but after checking again with a mentor at Cork LEO, it seemed manageable.
Ethically, I’ve grown more aware of greenwashing. It’s tempting to exaggerate eco claims, but in Ireland, communities are tight – once trust breaks, word spreads fast. So I’d rather under-promise and over-deliver.
If I were to develop this further, I’d explore partnerships with Cork City Council’s waste-reduction projects and maybe local schools for awareness campaigns. Even if the refill shop doesn’t happen straight away, the process gave me a real sense of how validation bridges the gap between a dream and a business plan.
All the same, it’s not a tidy, linear path – there’s trial, error, a few late nights with spreadsheets, and that feeling of maybe this could work.
The PG25547 Certificate in Business Idea Validation encouraged me to look at entrepreneurship more practically. Combining the continuous assessment theory with the real-world testing of the skills demonstration proved that understanding customers is worth more than any textbook diagram.
Through each brief, I moved from curiosity to evidence:
Brief 1 clarified frameworks.
Brief 2 grounded decisions in data.
Brief 3 structured the model.
Brief 4 proved customer interest.
Brief 5 showed financial realism.
Brief 6 tied it all together with reflection.
For anyone starting out in Ireland’s small-business scene, this course builds a mindset of testing first, spending later – and that’s something I’ll carry forward.
If you ever feel stuck while working on your PG25547 coursework, remember you’re not alone. Many learners reach a point where the research, financials, and validation reports start to pile up. That’s when it helps to talk to expert Irish assignment writers who actually understand how QQI Level 6 projects are structured. The QQI assignment writers at IrelandAssignmentHelp.com create genuine, research-based work that fits Irish business contexts – not generic essays copied from abroad. Their team knows the balance between continuous assessment and skills demonstration, and they guide you through each brief clearly. So, if you ever think, “Can someone just write my essay on business idea validation so it sounds authentic?” – they’ve got you covered. Every piece is written freshly, proofed for plagiarism, and fully aligned with QQI standards to help you learn while earning better marks.
Get Free Assignment Quotes
