From Kafkas to supporting creatives: Cork's Tara Prendergast hopes to grow 'The Biscuit Factory'

As an art and design student, when Tara Prendergast asked how she could make money from her work, she was laughed at.

So the dynamic Cork woman quit her art education that very day and embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, helping creatives transform their passion into thriving businesses.

“I was made to feel that I shouldn’t want to make money from my art, so I started my business journey in response to that, motivated to help the underdog,” she said.

Called ‘The Biscuit Factory’, it’s a business incubator where she offers mentorship and workshops.

Tara herself has become a pivotal figure in helping artists and makers elevate their work to national platforms, championing their growth and success.

Originally from Aghada, Tara began her entrepreneurial journey at 19, when she opened a brand-driven cafe-style restaurant.

Kafkas & The Cafe with the Couch opened in 1996 on Maylor Street and quickly became one of the most popular cafes in the city.

Four years later, at the age of 23, Tara sold up to embark on world travels and on her return opened her second business, The Berries, which was located in a small unit on MacCurtain Street.

It was another huge success, which she ran for five years, surviving a recession.

When her husband Matt was offered a job in Dublin, the family moved to the capital and in 2015, she founded Bite the Biscuit, a Facebook group connecting and supporting creatives.

What started as a small collaboration has grown into a thriving community of 11,000 members and a wider network reaching over 30,000, offering vital resources and support for creative entrepreneurs.

The Biscuit Factory (BF) launched the year after, and in 2020, Tara developed ‘Biscuit Market Place,’ an online market to help creatives survive the economic fallout from covid-19.

“It was going really well but after 12 months I had to make a decision: expand, invest and build a team and run two businesses, or not. It was a hard decision but my passion was in the Biscuit Factory, and that’s where I saw the value, in educating creatives in running a business properly, getting the mindset right and providing the support they deserved,” she said.

Creatives, she said, can often question their own value and worth.

“There can be a confidence issue there and they’ll happily create for free! So we’re there to help with pricing structures and things like selling strategies to help compete in the marketplace.

“That’s a key element, to be able to bring your products to the market in a profitable manner,” explained Tara, a mum of a 14- and a seven-year-old.

Farranree-based Magdalena Wróblewska, the founder of Inaksy, a brand specialising in handcrafted leather bags and accessories, is a member of the biscuit community.

She decided to join as she felt ‘stuck’ and ‘unsure what to do next’ with her business.

“My first Zoom call with all the members was amazing – seeing so many talented makers who were already successful made me feel special to be among them. Tara is my business coach, and I trust her completely because I know she truly knows her stuff. It feels like she’s always there for me, with an answer to every question I have. She motivates me, and I’m incredibly proud to be part of the BF community. Tara has built a beautiful, creative space where everyone supports each other with tips and ideas,” she said.

Since joining the community, her social media presence has improved by 100%.

“I built a new website, my SEO has increased, and I’m selling more products. Being an artist and maker can sometimes feel lonely because we have to handle everything ourselves. However, with BF, I no longer feel alone. I’ve made new friends, and I know that if I ever feel stuck, I can count on them for support.”

Supporting local is important all year round, but it’s something to be mindful of especially at Christmas, she says. “It’s vital for the survival and growth of makers and entrepreneurs. Choosing Irish-made gifts sustains local jobs, boosts the economy, preserves Irish craft heritage, and provides unique, high-quality products with a lower environmental impact.

“What people need to keep in mind is that for every €20 spent locally, it’s worth €100 to the local economy, so please be mindful and choose local makers rather than high street chains as it benefits everyone and comes back in on so many levels: it helps environmentally and can create confidence in a maker, and will help create stronger communities.”

The Biscuit Factory opens for new members on January 28, and for 2025 the plan is to grow the membership from 160 to 500 and host more off-line events including in Cork.

“Creatives are passionate and driven by the heart and I am too, so I connect with these people deeply,” said Tara. “I fall in love with creative people every single day.

“Witnessing their passion and dedication reminds me of why I started The Biscuit Factory - to create a supportive community where creatives can grow their businesses, inspire, and uplift one another. Shopping local is crucial to sustaining this ecosystem.”