The Local Enterprise Office of Dublin City hosted their annual Women in Business Network awards on 11th December 2024.
Photo (L-R): Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Donna Cooney, Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner Richella Bogan, Rising Star Award winner Sinead Crowe, Greg Swift, Head of Enterprise Dublin City Council
The winners of the LEO Dublin City Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024 were Richella Boggan and Pheona Croom-Johnson of Sandown Business School.
Richella and Pheona co-founded the school in April 2022. It is a provider of Internationally Recognised Professional Coach Training Education and Executive Talent Development Coach and Coach-Mentoring Programmes. The judges were particularly impressed with the ambitious strategy followed by the business, including investments made in Digital Marketing, and the progress the business made in 2024.
The winner of the Rising Star Award was Sinead Crowe of Adonis Flower Designers, which provides bespoke floral arrangements, house and patio plants, and a carefully curated selection of Irish-made crafts and gifts. Aside from their retail services, Adonis also offers workshops and classes in floristry.
An additional network member, Louise McEvoy of Lil Stompers, was Highly Commended by judges in recognition of the success to date in their expanded shop and online business.
The winners were announced by Greg Swift of LEO Dublin City who encouraged the members present to utilise the services of the Local Enterprise Office to help them grow their businesses, emphasising that every business needs to focus on sustainability and digitisation in 2025.
The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Cooney, welcomed the network of women in business to the Mansion House and talked about how important a role small businesses play in the economy and society of Dublin, including the increasing numbers of businesses with a strong focus on sustainability.
