Women’s enterprise day success
FEMALE entrepreneurs from across Louth and Meath shared their stories of success and survival in business at the Women’s Enterprise Day event last week.
The Local Enterprise Offices in Louth and Meath joined forces to plan what was an inspiring and educational event, with women from all across the north east travelling to CityNorth Hotel in Gormanston to both learn and network.
‘Our theme this year was ‘ Opening Doors to New Markets,’ explained Regina Behan, President of Network Louth.
She added: ‘ We invited guest speakers who, through their work to date, have moved into new markets and grown their businesses.’
‘We wanted to know what they had learned along the way.”
Regina explained that the event was essentially held to celebrate and support female entrepreneurship in Louth and across the region.
Meanwhile Sarah Mallon of Local Enterprise Office Louth explained. “Recent research indicates that 27% of early stage female entrepreneurs in Ireland expect to get more than a quarter of their revenues from overseas work.’
She pointed out: ‘ That is why the theme of ‘Opening Doors to New Markets’ was so important.
Sarah added that the event was a focal point for giving female entrepreneur the opportunity to learn from others who had shared similar experiences in business.
‘But we also wanted them to know that their Local Enterprise Office offers a range of supports to help them realise those expectations.”
The event was a huge success, and the conference opened with a keynote address by Caroline Keeling, CEO of Keelings.
She was followed by IBYE winner Hogan of Hiro by Roisin in Drogheda.
The mid-morning session featured Niamh Roisin Sherwin-Barry from Tullyallen of the Irish Fairy Door Company, Margaret Robb of Sweet Little Babies in Dundalk and Margie Burns of Aviation Selection Consultants.
‘Each speaker brought their own insights. Delegates listened intently, soaking up all the valuable advice,’ said Sarah.
‘ They eagerly asked questions and the room buzzed during coffee break with opportunities to meet new people and find out more.’
To find out more about the supports that the Local Enterprise Office offers to entrepreneurs, (both male and female), visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Louth. Local Enterprise Office, your port of call for business supports!