70 Local Enterprises Gather for Connector 2015

Over 70 Local Enterprises gathered for the first Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Carlow business to business networking event for 2015.

Connector 2015 hosted by the LEO Carlow and Carlow-Kilkenny Training Skillnet provided local entrepreneurs and businesses with the opportunity to build their network of contacts and to hear from industry experts about their experiences and gain tips of how to be a successful entrepreneur in Ireland.

The guest speaker for the event was business man and former Dragons Den Investor, Sean Gallagher.

The event started with an opportunity for everyone to network; hand out their business cards and visit the exhibition area from local Support and Services agencies which included Micro Finance, AIB, BOI, CRISP, IT Carlow, Department of Social Protection, National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), the Library Service, Carlow County Council. Anna Byrne, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, LEO Carlow, welcomed everyone to the event. Sean Gallagher shared his own story and beliefs about the footprints that successful entrepreneurs leave and how we can learn from the same. He spoke about the importance of having a company strategy, spending time talking about problems and concentrating on finding the solutions. Sean spoke about the importance of being positive in the entrepreneur world and not to let yourself be surrounded by negativity. Sean quoted during his speech,” Nobody ever starts a big business”. The event concluded with a Q&A session

County Carlow Student Enterprise Awards 2015 winners, School of Sound, Tullow Community School, who will be representing County Carlow at the National Student Enterprise Awards Finals in Croke Park on April 22nd, attended the event, stating that it was a brilliant experience and said: “We thought Sean Gallagher’s speech was so positive and inspiring and this will help us with our business for years to come”

“The event was a great success and it was positive to see so many local businesses in the one place. We were delighted to have Sean Gallagher come along today and share his story, you could really feel the energy in the room”; said Kieran Comerford, from the Local Enterprise Office.

Sean Gallagher Connector 2015

Sean Gallagher speaking during Connector 2015 in the Seven Oaks Hotel.