Revive Our Kicks: Leveraging Sustainability and Integrated Services to Enhance Retention and Profitability in Irish Startups

Keddy, Aaron (2025) Revive Our Kicks: Leveraging Sustainability and Integrated Services to Enhance Retention and Profitability in Irish Startups. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This dissertation explores how Revive Our Kicks, a small sneaker cleaning business based in South Dublin, can leverage sustainability and integrated service models to improve customer retention and profitability within Ireland’s competitive startup landscape. The study adopts a qualitative, ethnographic approach, drawing on semi-structured interviews with three participants: a sole trader, a barbershop owner, and a sneaker enthusiast. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke’s six-step framework, was used to analyse the data and identify key themes.

The findings reveal that customer loyalty is strongly driven by personal relationships, trust, and consistent service quality, rather than pricing or promotions. Digital booking systems have emerged as essential tools for improving customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, reflecting a wider shift towards digital convenience in service-based industries. Service integration and partnerships present potential growth opportunities but must be approached cautiously to avoid undermining brand identity. While sustainability is growing in relevance, most customers continue to prioritise price, speed, and convenience, suggesting that eco-friendly practices should be integrated subtly.

Based on these findings, the study recommends that Revive Our Kicks prioritise relationship-building, implement a structured digital booking system, cautiously explore collaborative service models, and incorporate sustainable practices as a secondary value proposition. These insights offer practical recommendations for Revive Our Kicks and may also provide guidance for other small service businesses navigating similar challenges in Ireland’s evolving market environment.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Supervisors:	Name Email -, - UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) > Ireland H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > New Business Enterprises H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Small Business Sector
Divisions:	School of Business (- 2025) > BA (Honours) in Business Studies
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	19 Mar 2026 14:15
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2026 14:15
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/9183

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