In December 1999, Maya Kviet- Kauskas from Latvia and Edward Kern from Lithuania came to Ireland, and later formed the successful business Taste of Europe, which sells products from all across Eastern Europe but mostly fare from Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Edward had some previous experience working in England and his friend invited him to stay in Ireland for a while and look for job opportunities given the unstable period in former USSR countries.

Initially, the couple lived in Dublin working for a distributing company but after some time, they decided to set up their own cleaning company – Unique Cleaning Services – which is still operating today.

But as they had two children, they found it difficult to manage the cleaning company and they decided a change was needed. Moving to Limerick and starting a new business was something they wanted to try.

All their friends in Dublin thought it was a very bad idea and tried to talk them out of it due to Limerick's reputation, but they persevered with their plans.

For a year and a half, they commuted between two cities, working overtime to manage the shop and the cleaning company. Soon they rented the whole building at 36 Denmark Street, which became a new Eastern European shop in Limerick. And before they opened their bigger store on Mungret Street, Palmerstown Court, the couple had a mobile food shop and used to drive around the Ring of Kerry to sell their goods.

"We found it very difficult to get credits from local banks. They were very reluctant to lend us any money as we were foreigners, so we had to work a lot," they said. Later, they started a cafebistro within the shop, but as the premises was small they looked at the venue on Mungret Street and went for it. Now, at the age of 34, they have achieved the following: speaking five languages – Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, English and Russian; running a distributing business and their own cleaning company; three shops – one is in Nenagh and two in Limerick, a cafe, a small off-licence, a sports club and a new furniture shop located in the same building on Mungret Street.

"We plan to open Europa restaurant this year. It will be a two-storey building with a great menu," they said. They also partially sponsor a basketball team, which won the Limerick League Cup last year and Mid-lands Cup one month ago. They are looking for more sponsors to enter the basketball league, "We are very ambitious and are not afraid of difficulties," said Maya, who is currently doing a course in accountancy.

Edward, a former sportsman in judo, said: "I really want to continue sports, that's why we plan to set up a training club in Palmerstown Court, where children and adults can practice judo, boxing and other activities. We will invite certified and qualified trainers for that."

Meanwhile, their new furniture shop, 100 Ideas for Home, sells furniture for the home and commercial enterprises. They work directly with the manufacturers in Lithuania and Poland and can meet almost any design or requirements to meet their customers' needs. The prices are competitive and the range of products is impressing, which will soon be online at www.furniture-z.eu.

With Taste of Europe, stock was sourced directly from the country of origin but a number of items are purchased from trading depots in Dublin."We are fully settled down now. Our kids speak English better and more often than our native languages, but we don't regret it. Because of working so much, we don't even have time to socialise with local people.

That's why we were keeping low profile – simply because of the lack of time," they said. Edward said they work "25 hours 8 days a week" and Maya added: "And it really applies to us!"

The couple are set to accomplish many goals and look forward to integrating well in the local community and business. "We feel strong competition on the market, but it's natural and we are not afraid of it. We have good deals and relatively low prices," they added. For more information call 085-1451444