Peter and Jessica O’Mahony have spoken out about the criticism they received
Peter and Jessica O’Mahony(Image: Inpho)
Peter and Jessica O’Mahony have addressed the backlash they’ve encountered following the unveiling of pricing for their new homeware and garden collection.
The pair’s latest entrepreneurial project is a Scandinavian-inspired home and garden brand named Søw-Sé, which they’ve been developing for more than five years. However, steep price points have sparked negative reactions since the brand’s recent debut.
Peter, 36, acknowledged that social media inevitably attracts critics regardless of your actions – though these commentators typically aren’t entrepreneurs themselves.
He said: “We don’t get a lot of criticism and when we do it’s really not something that we take notice of. You have to be aware when you go on social media, you put yourself out there, and there are always people that will comment.”
Jessica, 38, revealed that while launching a business brings considerable pressure, the couple believed they’d later regret not attempting it, reports RSVP Live.
She stated: “I haven’t slept in months. Peter’s sleeping very well, so obviously I’m shouldering the worry. Naturally, I’m more of a worrier, and I think about things at night, or it wakes me up. It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. But we both felt that it would probably be a big regret for us had we not given it a go.”
The collection features steel hexagonal garden planters ranging from €325 to €1,395, tote bags at €58, bath salts for €38, recovery hand balm starting at €36, and room spray priced at €42.
Discussing the premium-priced planters, Peter acknowledges they come with a hefty cost, but explains the couple’s commitment to Irish craftsmanship was paramount.
He explained: “They’re handbuilt in Kildare. It would be easy to go elsewhere [abroad], but we’ve really endeavoured to try to keep as much business and work for others in Ireland.
“You’re not investing in a quick turnaround piece that you’re going to throw away after a couple of years, or that is going to go out of fashion. You’re investing in something for your garden that will last a long, long time,” he told the Sunday Independent.
Jessica revealed they’ve become somewhat desensitised to criticism at this point, having faced it regularly. Ultimately, the enthusiastic support they’ve garnered far exceeds any negativity.
“All our packaging, our design, everything is printed here,” she said. “We got an illustrator from Galway to do our kids’ book. I feel sometimes you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. I don’t understand how people can have an opinion like that after a few days.
“But we are well accustomed to this. So we’re a little bit numb to it. And I suppose the positive responses from people who have been receiving their packages, where we’ve gone to great lengths to make them personal and add in a few little treats, has far outweighed all the other stuff.”