MICHELLE DUFFY RUDDEN

Michelle Duffy Rudden is a dynamic coach, trainer, and speaker with a wealth of experience in commerce, entrepreneurship, and leadership. She is passionate about empowering individuals to harness both technology and human skills to become independent entrepreneurs in their own unique way.  

#TeamEA Role

At the Entrepreneurs Academy, Michelle delivers training in marketing, websites, digital content, and business development. Her sessions are engaging and practical, filled with real-life examples, making complex topics accessible and inspiring confidence in participants.  

Industry Expertise

As well as her own lived experiences of serial entrepreneurship, Michelle spent four years at Shopify, a global e-commerce platform, where she provided expert support to business owners worldwide. She advanced into a leadership role, coaching and mentoring hundreds of support advisors, and hosted numerous webinars and in-person conferences. 

Associations/Qualifications

  • Certificate in Training Delivery & Evaluation 
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (UCD) 
  • Digital Marketing Tutor for multiple ETBs 
  • Mentor with Inspire Mentoring 
  • Founder of Funky Crayons, Breffni Digital, and Muckbird
  • Currently studying Community & Enterprise Development at ATU Letterkenny.  

As an Entrepreneur

Michelle is a serial entrepreneur, having founded several businesses: 

  • Thrift Avenue Childrenswear: Launched in 2013 as a market stall business, it became her first e-commerce store specialising in pre-loved kids’ clothes. 
  • Funky Crayons: Known for handmade 3D-shaped crayons sold in 14 countries. This venture led to her invention of Wickids™, a birthday candle that doubles as a crayon, which was featured on Dragons’ Den Ireland 
  • Breffni Digital: A digital marketing consultancy offering training and management services to various clients, including Eason, Elf On The Shelf, Dylan Hotel, and Bank of Ireland. 

She is currently working on her new brand Making It, where she splits herself between making websites and content for small businesses and coaching them to make it a success!