Biggest ever National Women’s Enterprise Day to take place

  • NWED Launch
Launch of National Women’s Enterprise Day 2018, 'From Local to Global'. (Pic: Mark Stedman)

Leading female business leaders from Limerick and across the mid-west will be imparting some of the secrets to their success at an event in Adare Manor to mark National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED) 2018, which is taking place on Thursday 18 October.

The Adare Manor event, organised by Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Limerick is one of 16 major entrepreneurial events planned across the country next month.

NWED is led by the 31 LEO nationwide, and funded by the Government of Ireland, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, Local Authorities and the Enterprise Europe Network.

LEOs have organised a programme of events under the theme From Local To Global aimed at inspiring the next generation of female business leaders to take their local ideas and make them a global success.

In 2017, the Local Enterprise Offices played a key role in supporting female entrepreneurs across the country to start, and grow, their business. Over 18,500 female entrepreneurs took part in training, mentoring and networking programmes with their Local Enterprise Office in 2017. The Local Enterprise Offices also supported over 280 female-run businesses with funding last year to help them start and grow their business.

On 18 October, LEO Limerick, Clare and Tipperary are hosting the event for female entrepreneurs in Adare Manor, Limerick. Special guests include Vicki O Toole, MD of JJ O’Toole Packaging, Marissa Carter, MD of Cocoa Brown, Caroline McEnery, MD The HR Suite, and Amanda Cahir O Donnell, MD Tio Consulting.

Panelists include Aisling Maher, Boutique Owner, Adare, Clodagh Cavanagh, MD and CEO of Abbey Machinery, Aine Gleeson, MD of wowwee.ie, Dr. Mary Ryan, Consultant Endocrinologist, Valerie Murphy, Valerie’s Brestcare and President of Network Ireland Limerick Branch and Annemarie Neville, MD Data Display.

Encouraging local entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners to attend, Eamon Ryan, Head of Enterprise with LEO Limerick said: “From Local To Global as a theme for National Women’s Enterprise Day 2018 is very apt, especially with all the uncertainty around Brexit. We want to encourage more female entrepreneurs to diversify and to let them know that their Local Enterprise Office can give them the support they need to explore new markets.”

“Last year alone, the Local Enterprise Offices provided training, mentoring and networking to over 18,500 female entrepreneurs along with providing grant assistance to over 280 female-run businesses and these figures continue to grow.”

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys launched the full programme of events for National Women’s Enterprise Day, alongside Amanda Mills of the Local Enterprise Offices, Julie Sinnamon of Enterprise Ireland and Anna Marie Delaney of the Local Government Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Committee.

They were joined by several entrepreneurs who were appointed as National Women’s Enterprise Day ‘Ambassadors’ by their Local Enterprise Office, including Limerick’s Vicki O’Toole.

Minister Humphreys said: “I am honoured to launch the largest ever National Women’s Enterprise Day. We have some of the world’s finest businesswomen in Ireland, who are inspiring the next generation. It is important we ensure that female entrepreneurs have access to the training, funding and supports that they need to start and grow their business. These female entrepreneurs should not just be thinking about these shores, they should be looking to go global, and my Department, through the relevant agencies, is ensuring they have the support they need to become world leaders in their sector.”

Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection Pat Breen said: The upcoming events demonstrate the LEOs commitment to encouraging more female-led businesses to grow and expand into new international markets. Our vision is for Ireland to be among the most entrepreneurial nations in the world and one that supports women to start and grow a business. My message for female entrepreneurs today is to take up the supports that are on offer through Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland to help them on their entrepreneurial journey.”

Julie Sinnamon, Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland, said: More than one in three start-ups supported by Enterprise Ireland last year were led by women – that compares to just one in ten start-ups in 2012. While this increase is significant and very positive, we are committed to continuing the growth of the number of businesses with women at the helm. Working in partnership with the LEOs, Enterprise Ireland is supporting the global ambition of our innovative Irish women entrepreneurs, building their competitive capabilities and helping them grow and reach global markets.”

Conn Murray, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council said: “We know there is a way to go towards increasing women’s representation in business, but the tide is turning, aided by initiatives like National Women’s Enterprise Day and the supports available to female entrepreneurs through their Local Enterprise Office. As the saying goes, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’ and National Women’s Enterprise Day is a great chance to take encouragement from women who have succeeded in business and perhaps get inspired to take that first step in establishing your own business or to take the next steps in growing your enterprise.”

The 16 NWED events on 18 October are taking place in: Limerick, Cavan, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow and are expected to attract over 1,000 women in business and female entrepreneurs nationwide.

Further details from The Local Enterprise Office Limerick or telephone 061 557499.

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