From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
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‘Stronger Together’ is the theme for today’s National Women’s Enterprise Day as over 2,400 owner managers and entrepreneurs around the country are set to join events online.
An initiative driven by the Local Enterprise Offices, the day showcases stories, experiences and insights from Ireland’s women-led companies and draws attention to the enterprise supports that are available.
Guest contributors include Pestle & Mortar’s Sonia Deasy, Olympian and entrepreneur Derval O’ Rourke, Kinzen Co-founder, Áine Kerr and Sarah Colgan of the 20X20 movement. Events include interviews, panel discussions, specialist sessions, virtual networking, an online marketplace for promoting goods and services and access to experts from state support agencies.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, is delivering the opening address at today’s events, which are supported by Enterprise Ireland and local authorities.
The Tánaiste said:
"The ‘Stronger Together’ message for National Women’s Enterprise Day has never been more important. I look forward to addressing this year’s event and hearing from inspiring female business leaders on how they have managed the past few months, which have been extremely difficult for all business owners and their staff. The government is determined to help more women pursue entrepreneurship as a career and I’m encouraged to see such a significant increase – 58%, taking up the training programmes that are available. Training and mentorship can make a huge difference to any entrepreneur starting out, on what can often be a lonely journey, and I encourage all women considering setting up their own business to contact their Local Enterprise Office to see how they can help you."
Orla Martin, Chair of the organising committee and Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Offaly said:
"First and foremost, National Women’s Enterprise Day is about harnessing ideas, innovation, creativity and learning from each-other. It’s also about looking at your business and asking if there is a better way to do things, is there a new opportunity or market to explore?"
She added:
"We’re also flying the flag for the enterprise supports available at every stage of your business journey. Throughout the year, Local Enterprise Offices in every country have helped businesses respond to the pandemic and continue to be a valuable resource to businesses preparing for Brexit."
Organisers behind National Women’s Enterprise Day are also highlighting more than twenty ‘Leading Lights’ from around the country this week. Those are dynamic business owners that have been nominated by their Local Enterprise Office and they include Dr. Anita Finnegan of Nova Leah in Louth, Mary Walsh of Ire Wel Pallets in Wexford, Carla Mooney of Cardel Entertainment in Offaly, Susan O’ Flaherty of Retrokit in County Cork, Odilon Hunt of AVA Audio Visual in Sligo and Jennifer Stack of Coco Boutique in Kerry.
At today’s online event, there will be teams on hand from Enterprise Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, Credit Review Office, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Europe Network, the Health and Safety Authority, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Skillnet Ireland to offer information and advice alongside the Local Enterprise Offices.
Further details on National Women’s Enterprise Day are available from www.LocalEnterprise.ie/NWED. Local Enterprise Offices, based in local authorities, are hubs of expert advice, information and practical supports. Most supports are free of charge or highly subsidised.
ENDS
The full programme of events for National Women’s Enterprise Day on Wednesday, 14 October 2020, organised by the Local Enterprise Offices, is available at www.LocalEnterprise.ie/NWED.