Malta fairytale comes true for TV reality girl

Dragons, it seems, are not only the stuff of fairytales: and in this day and age they can make wishes come true.

An Irish woman recently took part in a reality television programme called Dragons’ Den and roped in the financial support of a “dragon” – a top entrepreneur – to set up a long-time dream: a daily deals website for Malta.

“I know Malta very well and I’m in love with this country,” said Sharon Plunkett, 43, from County Wicklow, Ireland.

She worked closely with the Malta Tourism Board in Ireland for 17 years and was in charge of the public relations. “In fact, in Irish PR circles, I’m known as ‘Miss Malta’,” she joked.

She said the deals website concept had long been on her mind, and decided to take part in the national Irish television programme (RTÉ) “in a moment of madness”.

Her pitch impressed Ireland’s top publisher Norah Casey, who fanned her dragon’s fire and gave Ms Plunkett enough financial backing to enable her to set up the website.

As of tomorrow, when her innovative website http://dealsmalta.com.mt , will be launched, the Maltese public will have the opportunity to purchase items for at least half the actual cost.

“From smoothies to laser hair treatments, from spa treatments to cupcakes – everything will be at least 50 per cent cheaper,” she said as she urged people to register on line, so as to be e-mailed the deals every morning.

The concept is very straightforward. Anyone who wants to market their ware on the website can do so free of charge.

“If they sell, then we take a cut of the deal, if not then there are no expenses incurred,” said Ms Plunkett.

She explained this is a marketing tool for those who want to launch their product or for those who are looking for new customers.

“Everybody loves a great deal, but this will open up new opportunities for the business community in Malta,” she said, adding that she will have six staff, with two based in Malta.

Apart from the local market, http://dealsmalta.com.mt will also be tapping into the tourist market and deals will be targeting the 30,000 Irish visitors and the half a million British tourists who come to Malta every year.

“They can upgrade their Malta holiday in a very affordable way,” she said, explaining that the site will be very smartphone friendly and people can easily make their purchases while on the move.

She has seen the rise in the success of deals websites in Ireland ever since the country plunged into recession. “It’s been very tough for Ireland these past four years, but essentially it means that people are constantly on the lookout for value-based retail,” she said.

Allied Newspapers Limited is supporting this venture.