Fingal's Female Entrepreneurs Celebrate September with a Special Friendship Themed Event  

Fingal's Female Entrepreneurs were out in force on Thursday, the 8th of September for a special friendship themed event “Circle of Friends” at The Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin. The networking event, hosted by Local Enterprise Office Fingal, presented a fantastic opportunity for businesswomen to mingle with like-minded entrepreneurs and form valuable friendships.  

Friendship circles was the topic of the day, with a series of keynote speakers including Wendy Stunt, Allison Keating, Amy Herbert and Caroline St. Leger sharing their extensive expertise and emphasising the importance of having a reliable circle of friends to source support from on their individual business journeys. Prominent psychologist Allison Keating also answered a range of questions which had been submitted anonymously from the audience. Attendees then had the opportunity to engage in “netwalking” with fellow businesswomen, forming new connections and friendships as they took a stroll. As part of the event each lucky attendee received a special Goodie Bag also.

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council acknowledged that: “Fingal Enterprising Women Network is a valuable platform for Fingal’s Female Entrepreneurs to broaden their knowledge and friendship group. The Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links is a scenic setting for our local businesswomen to mingle, make connections and share their knowledge on how to succeed in business”.

Speaking after the event, Oisín Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise Fingal, explained, "the objectives of this networking event was to provide a platform for businesswomen to find common ground, share their individual experience and form connections with fellow female entrepreneurs who they can look to for support and inspiration throughout their business venture. He went on to say that "the Fingal Enterprising Women Network strives to create a warm, welcoming environment where local businesswomen have access to the opinions, perspectives and advice from their peers.”

Barbara and Carol Ann, co-owners of M-Space Malahide who facilitated this Fingal Enterprising Women Network event for the first time emphasised the importance of building a solid friendship as part of an entrepreneur’s journey. "Many women work alone in their business, and therefore having access to a support network of other women who are in a similar position is immensely valuable in terms of sourcing advice, empowerment and encouragement. We hope this event has enabled Fingal’s female entrepreneurs to develop new friendships and new connections with fellow local businesswomen."