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Promoting Enterprise Podcast with Gillian White and Nina Shelton

In the latest episode of the Promoting Enterprise podcast, we hear the energetic and inspiring story of Gillian White and Nina Shelton, co-founders of Sully and Juno—Ireland’s only sensory-friendly design house.

  • News article
  • 6 August 2025
  • Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
  • 2 min read
Gillian White and Nina Shelton, co-founders of Sully and Juno

From their kitchen table to award-winning recognition, they’ve built a thriving business rooted in inclusion, joy, and bold Irish creativity.

Sully and Juno began with a simple, powerful idea: to design sensory-friendly clothes that don’t compromise on style. Both mothers of neurodiverse children, and Gillian herself autistic, they couldn’t find clothing that felt right for their kids. So they decided to make it themselves.

“We wanted every child to feel confident and comfortable in what they wear, without standing out. Clothing should never be a barrier to belonging.”

With Nina’s background in finance and Gillian’s design expertise, they turned a few hundred euros and a strong friendship into a business that now ships internationally, employs a growing team, and supports inclusivity on every level.

Their collections celebrate Irish language and culture while staying true to their original mission: clothes that feel as good as they look, especially for people with sensory sensitivities.

And they’re not stopping there. From festivals to fashion, Sully and Juno is scaling up, collaborating with universities on patented sound-dampening hoodies, bringing inclusive design into schools, and dreaming of their next pop-up... maybe even at Glastonbury.

“It’s still wild to think this started with two best friends, eight kids between us, and a kitchen table,” says Gillian. “We just believed in it. And we believed in each other.”

Listen to Gillian and Nina’s story on the Promoting Enterprise podcast—a conversation on creativity, friendship, and making the world more inclusive, one hoodie at a time.

Sources

Details

Publication date
6 August 2025 (Last updated on: 6 August 2025)
Author
Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
Promoting Enterprise - categories
  • EU SME Week
Promoting Enterprise - tags
  • Entrepreneurs