Over the last month female entrepreneurs in the county of Carlow have been putting themselves forward for Carlow’s first Powerhouse Awards event. The Awards are to celebrate, acknowledge and award County Carlow’s female entrepreneurs’ professional achievements within the business community. With over 50 entries from female entrepreneurs putting themselves forward to showcase their companies and recognise their own great achievements, the first Powerhouse Awards event is shaping up to be a huge success. The Awards will be presented on Friday 18^th November 2022 with MC Sile Seoige in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow. Sile Seoige is looking forward to welcoming each finalist and giving each one the recognition they deserve on the night.

The applications have been shortlisted by a panel of judges and the finalists have been selected and will compete with each other on the night in the following categories:

Powerhouse - Best Newcomer/Start-up of the Year; Powerhouse - Creativity Award;  Powerhouse - Digital Marketing Award; Powerhouse - Excellence in Personal Services – Retail;  Powerhouse - Excellence in Personal Services; Powerhouse - Excellence in Personal Services for Business.            

Speaking about the event, Cllr. Brian O’Donoghue, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council says, ‘Powerhouse Women in Business has been a very successful network over the last year with many businesswomen growing their networks and making new connections. The Awards event has encouraged each female entrepreneur to recognise their achievements and success in their businesses and support them to develop and grow their businesses.’ Cllr. Brian O’Donoghue continued to say, ‘The Awards Event is a very rewarding experience as it gives an opportunity to reflect on the goals and vision that created that business while driving future growth of the business.’ 

Melissa Doyle co-ordinator of the Powerhouse Women in Business Network on behalf of Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office says, ‘the Powerhouse Awards has received a great variation of female entrepreneur business applications which shows the diversity of innovation, talent and success in County Carlow’. Melissa continued to say, ‘I am delighted to see so many businesswomen taking part in the Awards as it not only helps to improve the credibility of the business but also recognises the hard work of their staff and increases attraction which can lead to more sales. I would like to wish each female entrepreneur the very best of luck on the night’. 

As part of the awards , the community at large can assist with judging in the people choice award and voting is now open on https://contest.app.do/vote-people-s-choice-award-powerhouse-carlow-women-in.

Shortlisted Companies:

Powerhouse - Best Newcomer/Start-up of the Year           

·         Anne-Marie Doran               Amella Coaching and Consultancy

·         Emma Butler                         White Meadow Interiors

·         Joanne Doyle                       Enchanted Castle Melts

·         Lucy   Gernon                      Powerhouse Revolution Coaching

·         Lynda Bolger                         Flag Lane Marketing

·         Meg Doran                            MD Hair

·         Tamara Seerkissoon           Tamara Seerkissoon Art & Coaching

Powerhouse - Creativity Award            

·         Ciara  Stanley                                              Ardattin Embroidery

·         Kim     Mackenzie-Doyle                             The Big Idea House

·         KONSTANTINA PAPALEXANDRI           KONSTANTINA PAPALEXANDRI

·         Miriam            Lloyd                                       Christening Generations

·         Rachel Doyle                                                 Rara Photography

Powerhouse - Digital Marketing Award                      

·         Caitriona Cullen                  Cullen Nurseries

·         Nicola Brown Nicola             Brown Limited

·         Sandra Nolan                       PRETTYMESS

·         Ethel   Murphy Corr              Tip Top Toes shoes for kids

Powerhouse - Excellence in Personal Services - Retail                

·         Debbie Robinson      Nursery rhymes

·         Liliana Cachia            Sweet Baking Mama

·         Aisling lacey               DAME & PERDY & POLLY

·         Leanne Delaney         Obsession Bridal & Evening Wear

·         Ethel   Murphy Corr    Tip Top Toes shoes for kids

Powerhouse - Excellence in Personal Services                   

·         Caroline Davis          Caroline Breast Care

·         Delia   Nicolcea        ND Clinic - Beauty & Holistic Center

·         Maya  Dzianach       Kobido Ireland, Maya Dzianach

·         Sarah Alcock             Prime Fit by Sarah

·         Vanilla Hair Design

Powerhouse - Excellence in Personal Services for Business                 

·         Riona Ni Mhuireartaigh      Carlow Physiotherapy

·         Jane   Kavanagh                Feedalpha

·         Caroline Lochab                 Lochab CV & Interview Clinic

·         Norah Ryan                         Barrow Consultancy and Training

• Nicola Bolger                        Active Life Physiotherapy

For further information on the Local Enterprise Office services contact 059 9129 783 or contact Melissa Doyle at mdoyle@carlowcoco.ie

Photo Caption: Seamus Doran , Assistant Head of Economic Development & Enterprise , Melissa Doyle , Business Advisor & Sile Seoige , Event MC.