National Women's Enterprise Day Is October 19

/ 13th October 2016 /

Local Enterprise Offices are out to encourage more female entrepreneurs and aspiring female entrepreneurs to access enterprise supports. They are marking National Women's Enterprise Day (NWED) on October 19 next with seven events around the country, in order to highlight the success stories of Ireland's female-run enterprises and to increase awareness of the types of enterprise supports available.

Events are taking place in Cavan, Dublin, Westmeath, Meath, Kilkenny, Kerry and Galway to celebrate the success stories of Irish female entrepreneurs and to encourage more women to access enterprise supports to start or expand a business.

Seven regional ambassadors are promoting the programme of events, including Rachel Doyle of the Arboretum in Carlow and Wicklow, Nicola Byrne of 11890 and Cloud 90 in Dublin, Valerie Kingston of Glenilen Farm in Cork, Aisling Hanley of Keenwah Quinoa in Galway, Hannah Wrixon of Last Minute Minders in Limerick, Regina Bushell of Grovelands Childcare in Westmeath and Margaret Reilly of CTR Manufacturing in Louth.

Sheelagh Daly of the Local Enterprise Offices said: “Through financial assistance, microfinance loans, mentoring, training and networking, Local Enterprise Offices supported 1,000 more female-run enterprises last year, compared with 2014. There is a wide range of enterprise supports on offer and so we’re encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners to find out about those supports through the National Women’s Enterprise Day campaign.”

Enterprise Ireland CEO Julie Sinnamon (pictured) added: “One in five high potential startup companies supported by Enterprise Ireland is female-led — just five years ago, that figure was less than one in ten companies. We are very keen to work with women starting innovative businesses that are focused on exports, growth and job creation.”

Guest speakers will include regional development minister for Heather Humphreys, Sonya Lennon of Lennon Courtney, Mairead Lavery of Irish Country Living, Patricia Callan of the Small Firms Association, Paula Fitzsimmons of Fitzsimons Consulting, Susan Spence of Softco, Joanne Hession of the Entrepreneurs Academy and Susan Hayes Culleton of the Positive Economist.

Miriam O’ Callaghan, Siobhan Donohoe of IrishTV, Julia Lynes of EasyCity, Fashion accessories designer Úna Burke, Natasha Fennell of Stillwater Communications and Alison Banton of Brooke and Shoals will also be sharing their ‘road to success’ stories on the day.

Tickets can be booked from Local Enterprise Offices from €30 to €50, including either lunch or dinner.

AMBASSADOR	COMPANY	SECTOR	EVENT VENUE
Margaret Reilly	CTR Manufacturing Ltd and Grand Designs Kitchens & Bedrooms Ltd.	Manufacturing of bespoke kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and office furniture	Radisson Farnham Estate Cavan, Co. Cavan.
Nicola Byrne	Cloud90 and 11890	Communications, social media monitoring and online protection	Radisson BluHotel, Dublin Airport, Fingal, Co. Dublin
Regina Bushell	Grovelands Childcare	Irish, family-run childcare and early education provider	The Wineport Lodge, Glasson, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
Audrey Gaffney	Audrey Gaffney Associates	Architectural Interior Design Company specialising in the hospitality sector	Knightsbrook Hotel, Dublin Road, Trim, Co. Meath
Hannah Wrixon	Last Minute Minders	Childcare solutions and introductory service for child minders and clients	Kilkenny River Court Hotel, The Bridge, John Street, Kilkenny (joint event with the South East region)
Rachel Doyle	Arboretum: Home & Garden Heaven	Home, garden and lifestyle retailing	Kilkenny River Court Hotel, The Bridge, John Street, Kilkenny (joint event with the Mid West region).
Valerie Kingston	Glenilen Farm	Food and drink manufacturing for retail and export	The Brehon Hotel, Muckross Road, Killarney
Aisling Hanley	Keenwah Quinoa and Aisling’s Artisan Bakery	Organic baby food processing and artisan bakery	The G Hotel, Wellpark, Galway City.