Council launches County’s first “Solo” Entrepreneur Development Programme

Carlow County Council’s – Local Enterprise Office today launched “Solo-E” which is the County’s first Solo-Entrepreneur Development Programme which will kick off with Solo-E 2018 which is a free Business to Business Networking Event to be hosted in the Seven Oaks Hotel on Wednesday 23rd May 2018 presented by entrepreneurial expert Padraig Briody.

The programme offers two opportunities to solo-entrepreneurs in County Carlow. The first opportunity which is available to 30 entrepreneurs is the chance to attend Solo-E 2018 networking following which 10 solo-entrepreneurs will be selected to participate in a business development journey which includes mentoring, training and peer review.

Speaking at the Launch Padraig Briody who will facilitate the project said “this programme will give these entrepreneurs the skills and support they need to help them grow their business and understand the next challenges and opportunities for themselves” , Briody continued by saying “initially we are seeking 30 entrepreneurs who will invest 4 hours in networking , peer review and opportunity development which will be followed by selection of a core group of 10 individuals who will receive in- depth mentoring and support to develop an opportunity roadmap for the future”.

Kathleen Holohan , Chief Executive of Carlow County Council said “we are delighted to be able to present this opportunity to our solo entrepreneurs in the County” , Holohan continued to say “we understand that the entrepreneurial journey can present many opportunities but also has many challenges and we hope that by providing our solo entrepreneurial community with a forum to build a peer network of similar minded solo entrepreneurs with the support of an expert facilitator and our in-house team in the Local Enterprise Office we can provide a catalyst which allows individuals to grow”.

The programme will be supported by the Local Enterprise Office and Pauline Hoctor , Business Advisor with the Local Enterprise Office said “each year hundreds of individuals visit the Local Enterprise Office and for many of them , their first challenge is to build a supportive network and build a plan which provides them with an opportunity map” , Hoctor continued to say “in our experience , successful individual entrepreneurs are people who first take  time out to work on their business instead of in the business and that’s what we are offering as a key part of this project that people invest in the future success of their business endeavours”.

Attending the launch were solo entrepreneurs, Kevin Brady from Visit Carlow & Evelyn O’Brien from Under the Oak Tree Designs. Evelyn who runs a Graphic Design company said “building an effective network has been an essential part of my business to date and the assistance of a variety of agencies has helped me to get my business where it needs to get to today”. Kevin Brady of Visit Carlow said “in Carlow we are fortunate to have a variety of agencies and bodies who help entrepreneurs but having a roadmap and supportive peer network has been essential in my business getting to start up and develop”

Places are limited to 30 people and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis to County Carlow solo entrepreneurs by e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie or by calling 059/9129783

Full detail log onto Solo E Brochure and full detail.pdf (size 1.9 MB)

Ends

For further details contact Kieran Comerford on 086/8252037 or e-mail kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie 

Notes to Editor: 

Solo Entrepreneurs (Solo-Es) who are described as people who are in business for themselves (“go solo”), collaborate with others, grows their business without boundaries and more than likely, without employees. The Solo Entrepreneur may also be called a free agent, freelancer, solopreneur, self employed, sole proprietor, or home-based business owner. The event offers an opportunity to network, engage in peer learning and hear expert content.