Mayo couple launch new gift voucher business

A young Mayo couple, Dave and Sinéad Loftus, have started a new business, VoucherMe, which supports all local small to medium sized businesses.

It’s a website where anyone in the world can buy a personalised gift voucher from a registered business at any time of the day or night so your business can continue to serve customers 24/7.

Of course this could not come at a better time, when many people are confined to their homes and the majority of local businesses are closed due to government restrictions.

The voucher can be sent via text or email or a hard copy voucher can be posted out.

The Castlebar duo encourages everyone to go paperless, however, in order to be more environmentally friendly.

This isn’t just a standard gift voucher though. They’ve gone the extra mile to make it more personalised.

Check out the animated card preview on their website. Also, unlike other gift cards, if you buy a €50 voucher you get a €50 voucher, they don’t expire or depreciate and, because it’s on your phone you can’t lose it.

They’ve added a calendar feature too so no more forgetting any important dates or occasions.

Sinéad explained: “I’ve lost count how many times I’ve tried to get my Mum a voucher from her favourite hairdresser and she’s been closed. That’s how we came up with the idea.

“Now anyone can buy a voucher at anytime from anywhere. It's particularly helpful for all our ex-pats across the world. It makes gifting so much easier yet still personal.

“I much prefer having a personalised gift voucher for my favourite salon or clothes shop.

"However for people who don’t know what business to choose, we are currently working on our town voucher which can be used in any registered business in the persons home town.

"We are hoping to have this up and running in conjunction with the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce in time for Christmas.

“At the moment we are in the initial stages of signing up all the businesses. We would like as many signed up as possible before we officially launch but technically the website is up and running already so anyone can buy a voucher right away from any business that is currently signed up.”

Dave added that the sign-up process only takes a few minutes and there are no sign up fees, contracts or on-going costs.

Now that the end of the restrictions is nigh and we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s time to support your local businesses and help them get themselves back on their feet, all whilst helping your loved ones look and feel human again.

Who doesn’t want vouchers to get their hair and nails done followed by clothes shopping and dinner?