1. What is enterprise? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 2. Why do people become entrepreneurs? . . . . . . 184 3. What are the risks involved in setting up a new enterprise?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 4. What are the characteristics of entrepreneurs? . 186
Ray Coyle grew up in Co. Meath. When he was young he set up his own farming enterprise growing potatoes and vegetables. He sold his produce in the Dublin fruit and vegetable market.
Through hard work, he was making a lot of money by his mid twenties. However, his business had huge debts. To avoid becoming bankrupt, he was forced to sell his farm to repay all his bank loans. After that disaster, Ray wasn’t sure what work to do next. However, he knew all about potatoes and saw an opportunity to make crisps. He set up a small business called Largo Foods and worked with determination and creativity at making it successful. Over the years the business has grown into an international business which makes and sells crisps in many different counties. It includes brands such as Tayto, King, Perri and Hunky Dory crisps. The business, which was set up as a limited company, has become a major local employer providing jobs to over 500 people. Ray likes challenges and saw a new business opportunity to open a major amusement park in Co. Meath. The banks thought it was a foolish idea and would not provide him with the loans he needed. Instead, he sold one of his crisp factories and used the money from the sale to start this
