Today started by taking our midterm and then having a lunch and learn with the Pitt Business Director of Global Experiences, Bryan Schultz. During that lunch, we discussed different experiences that the office puts on, primarily the plus 3 program, which I found interesting. The plus 3 program is for freshmen who have just finished their freshman year. What I found interesting was that the locations chosen are not Western-influenced, as Bryan discussed. This is different than all of the other programs put on by global experiences because most of the time you are going to very westernized places and taking classes, but in this case you get to experience how businesses are run in different parts of the world that we would otherwise not get to see.

After the lunch and learn, we went to the Irish Design Center, where we talked to Tom and Maura about all things Irish. Tom talked to us about how they discovered the business a long time ago and then bought it 8 years ago after the original owners sold it to them. He discussed how they go to Ireland yearly to attend a vendor show where they pick out the products that they will be selling in the store. Also, he discussed the different Irish products they have as well as how some of them were made. The one thing I found interesting was that while products might be designed in Ireland and made of products from Ireland that does not mean they were actually manufactured in Ireland because some items we saw particularly a scarf was made in another country, but it was designed in Ireland and made from irish products. He also noted that when we are in Ireland and go to shops there they will have mainly all locally produced items, while some of the ones in the Irish Design Center are manufacture other places. He said this is because small vendors are not necessarily going to be at the big craft shows they go to, but that the small shops will have those personal connections and then those smaller vendors. He also talked about the Irish Festival they started 30 some years ago. I then asked him as we were walking around the store how the festival came to be and he said that his wife Maura and her sister who are irish wanted to have a way to show irish history and bring people together. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with Tom about this and asking questions back and forth which was quite interesting. After Tom discussed the business part, Maura discussed multiple cultural things. We first started by talking about Gaelic Crosses, which were formed because a traditional cross was too recognizable during times of unrest, so the Irish created a cross in which the arms of the cross were condensed to be less recognizable. After that, she discussed religion in how it played an important role in Ireland, and then showed us a painting of the four gospels, which was quite well done. From there, we got to try different Irish chocolates and potato chips that they sell in-store. They also discussed that the chocolate we will find in Ireland will be richer in taste than in the U.S. because Hershey did not want other manufacturers of chocolate in the U.S. so what they sell in the U.S. is different from what they sell in Ireland do to those original regulations.

Tom and Maura talked about how their business makes over 70% of its profit during the Christmas season, which typically runs from November til January. Since they make the majority of their profit in one small timeframe, they have become resourceful in how they make money in the down times. Their distinctive approach goes far beyond selling goods; it’s about promoting and preserving Irish heritage. Tom and Maura actively engage with the community by offering cultural consultation services for significant life events like Irish weddings and baptisms, positioning themselves as invaluable resources for those embracing their Irish roots. By offering unique experiences and serving as a central point for celebrating Irish identity, they draw in a diverse clientele, including students from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University who tour the center for educational purposes as it is situated right between both schools campuses. Some of the unique experiences they offer are things like a knitting club the last Thursday of every month and having Irish musicians play at their store since they have room for it outside because of the buildings layout. This focus on community, education, and cultural connection transforms their shop into an engaging destination, ensuring consistent foot traffic and fostering a loyal customer base that values the rich cultural experience as much as the products themselves which all helps them generate revenue during their down times. All in all the experience we got at the Irish Design Center will be a valuable tool when in Carrigart because we got a better look at how irish shops operate.