WEALTH October 16, 2026 0 Comments

Inside Dock One Studio: How Cêilim Robinson Is Disrupting the Creative Industry with Unstoppable Vision

Ever wonder what it takes to break free from the cycle of endless shifts flipping pizzas or pulling double duty as a barista, and turn your creative passion into a thriving business right in the heart of Dublin’s inner city? Well, that’s exactly the journey Céilim Robinson embarked on when he launched Dock One Studio, a dynamic, strategy-driven creative agency specializing in photography and video. Backed by the hands-on support of Inner City Enterprise (ICE)—an organization that’s quietly been fueling Dublin’s entrepreneurial spirit since 1992—Céilim transformed not just his career but his entire perspective on what’s possible when you have the right mentorship and grit. And here’s the kicker: when faced with a life-altering health challenge, ICE was the lifeline that kept his dream afloat. This isn’t just a story about business; it’s about resilience, community, and redefining success on your own terms. Ready to dive into how Dock One Studio is scaling up and what ambition truly looks like when it comes from the ground up? LEARN MORE

Established in 1992, Inner City Enterprise (ICE) helps unemployed people to establish businesses in Dublin. Since relaunching after the crash, it has assisted in the launch of more than 1,500 businesses.

In this Q&A, founders like videographer/photographer Céilim Robinson tell BusinessPlus.ie about their background, experience with ICE and their ambitions for the future.

What does your business do?

I run Dock One Studio, a strategy-led creative agency specialising in photography and video.

We help businesses communicate with their customers and teams through content with a clear purpose. Our media production is geared towards achieving specific results using targeted media campaigns.

What were you doing for work before, and why did you decide to set up the business?

I studied Fine Art Media at NCAD, which is where I developed my photography skills, and before starting the business I was a pizza chef, barback and barista, working 14hr shifts back to back.

I wanted to get out of this loop, build a career around something I enjoyed and was good at, with the freedom to shape my own work alongside, so I started Dock One Studio in early 2022.

Why did you choose to apply to Inner City Enterprises?

I had the creative skills, but there was a lot to learn about running a business. I wanted practical guidance and support from people who understood the challenges of starting out, and ICE felt like a good fit because of its connection to the inner city.

Being from the inner city myself, I felt like they got it. Not many do.

How did Inner City Enterprises help you?

ICE has helped me connect with people who can support the business as it develops, including a referral for mentoring.

I did the young entrepreneurs program, which helped me see myself as an entrepreneur who can scale a business rather than just a creative.

I also had lung cancer in 2023, and ICE helped me ensure my business stayed afloat while I had to take time off for recovery. If it were not for ICE, I don’t know if I’d still be in business today.

How’s the business doing now, and what targets do you have in the near future?

We’re doing great lately. My immediate focus is on developing and selling our retainer content packages and improving our systems so we can deliver consistently as the business scales.

Looking further ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for the business?

I want to build a sustainable creative business that produces work we’re proud of and creates good opportunities for the people involved.

For me, success also means having a strong team and a business that doesn’t depend on me doing everything myself, with room for personal creative projects and life outside work.

I want to love my work and love my time off. Loving my work means standing proudly over every piece of work we put out.

What’s your relationship to the inner city?

I’m from Ringsend, so this is my own community. Coming from a working-class background, building a creative business here felt impossible, and it means a lot to me, and I’d like to contribute to making creative work feel like a realistic option for other people from similar backgrounds.

I never knew growing up that a path like this was even possible. ICE made me realise it was.

Photo: Céilim Robinson. (Pic: Instagram)