Women in business events kick off in North Cork

Louise Ryan, Oh! Naturelle; Sharon Corcoran, Director of Services, Economic Development Enterprise and Tourism, Cork Count Council; Joan Kelleher, Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West and Caroline Workman, Hederman Smoked Salmon pictured at the first event of Local Enterprise Week run by the Local Enterprise Offices in Cork, at Springfort Hall, Mallow. Photo: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

OVER 80 ladies from all corners of Cork County attended the Local Enterprise Office Women in Business Regional Conference 2017, which was held at the Springfort Hall Hotel in Mallow on Monday.

The event, organised by Local Enterprise Offices, was the first of the National Enterprise Business week events in Cork. The theme of the event was ‘Starting local, Growing Global’ and welcomed speakers from within Cork City and County and from Dublin. Guest speakers included Noelle O’Connor of Tan Organics and Sarah O’Connor, co-founder of Coolbeans, along with a panel discussion from local female Entrepreneurs.

Noelle O’Connor, founder and owner of Tan Organics, spoke about her journey from a one room beauty salon to producing and manufacturing her own tanning product which is now exported to 26 countries globally. She spoke of her journey and the importance of passion and persistence in building a business and pointed out that the road to success s is rarely smooth.

“This is a female only event. Times have certainly changed, however, being in business or any professional position is different for a woman. For that reason we make no apology for holding a female only event. They are a necessary part of supporting female Entrepreneurship,” said Sharon Corcoran, Director of services for Economic Development, Enterprise and Tourism with Cork County Council.

Sarah O’Connor, Co-Founder of Coolbeans. A native of County Cork is now located in Dublin from where she runs her food business in partnership with Isolde Johnson. Sarah spoke about the importance of celebrating the little things while learning valuable lessons from what at times are costly mistakes.

Ingrid DeDoncker of Equiddity, Siobhain Steele of Siobhain Steele Ceramics, Louise Ryan of Ball and Socket and Oh Naturelle along with Caroline Workman of Belvelley Smokehouse took part in a panel discussion which was facilitated by Theresa Mulvihill of Smart Marketing Ltd. Topics such as Brexit, business supports, routes to market and key points for success were discussed.

The commonalities among all panellists included the importance of building a winning team, focused and targeted marketing campaigns and the ability to be creative and innovative in an ever competing world.

Businesses in attendance spanned many sectors and included professional services, health and well being, retail, financial services, food businesses, manufacturing, craft and technology.