Two brothers from Lisburn have turned their passion for woodwork into a successful custom
woodworking furniture business, Alderwood Studios, thanks to help from the Go For It
programme in association with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional
Development Fund under the Investment for Growth and Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020)
programme.
Tony and Joe Murphy, from Lisburn, launched Alderwood Studios in 2021, having spotted a
gap in the market for custom uniquely designed epoxy resin tables when they were
furnishing their own home.
Pictured (left to right) is Cllr Scott Carons, Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Joe Murphy Co-Owner of Alderwood Studios, Tony Murphy Co-Owner of Alderwood Studios and Martina Crawford, Chief Executive of Lisburn Enterprise Organisation Ltd.
Having both worked away from home as a project manager and a civil engineer, the brothers
were keen to return to Northern Ireland and combine their professional skills with their
passion for woodworking and launch a successful business venture together.
Tony explains: “Deciding to finally take that leap of faith and launch Alderwood Studios was
a long conversation between myself and my brother. It was a real combination of wanting to
fulfil a childhood dream of using our hands, creating unique pieces of art, running a business
together and getting back home to Northern Ireland.”
Joe continued: “We had been hobbyist, weekend woodworkers for about a year until we
realised that we could really make a statement and fill a gap in the market with epoxy resin
tables, which there was, and continues to be real demand for in Northern Ireland.”
The brothers launched Alderwood Studios after taking part in the Go For It programme
through Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
The Go For It programme is delivered free of charge by a team of experienced business
mentors through Northern Ireland’s wide network of enterprise agencies.
It provides expert advice and support to develop a business plan that helps entrepreneurs
turn their ideas into commercial businesses.
Tony initially heard about the Go For It programme when travelling to Belfast and hearing an
advert on the radio. “When I heard the advert, I immediately thought this is our moment. Joe
and I had conversations about how we could do this, and the programme was an obvious
first step to take!”
Joe explained: “The Go For It program helped us in various ways. First of all, it gave us
confidence that there was a market for what we were doing. We were able to network with a
lot of similar minded businesspeople while helping us with the creation of a business plan to
give us direction on the aspect of business that we weren’t so familiar with.”
Tony added: “We had lots of creative ideas but hadn’t thought about the numbers just
enough, and for us that was one of the most important elements of the business plan.
“The business plan really helped start us off in the right direction and we still refer back to it
today. It also has set us up for future funding if we need it, so it’s really investment friendly.”
Councillor Scott Carson, Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council said: “I’m delighted
to see Tony and Joe successfully launch Alderwood Studios having received support from
the Go For It programme.
“The woodwork both Tony and Joe are creating is truly unique and it’s great to see two
brothers turn their hobby for furniture and making it into a successful business and I wish
them all the very best for the future!”
Martina Crawford, Chief Executive of Lisburn Enterprise Organisation Ltd commented: “It
was a real pleasure to help guide and support Tony and Joe through the Go For It
programme, and I’m delighted to see the business doing so well.
“We provided Tony and Joe with support in developing a comprehensive business plan as
well as offering advice in areas such as market research, financial planning, marketing and
goal setting.
“From this, the brothers have successfully launched their once bedroom business into what
is now a 4000 square foot workshop and showroom. I’m delighted to see the brothers’
achievements, and I wish them continued success with their woodworking venture!”
If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you are thinking about starting a
business contact the Go For It programme on: 0800 027 0639 or visit: www.goforitni.com.