Girls Going Global highlights the growing international ambitions of women-led businesses

Women entrepreneurs from across County Kildare gathered at the Keadeen Hotel for a special celebration of the 20th anniversary of National Women’s Enterprise Day, hosted by Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office. 

This year’s theme, Girls Going Global, focused on the growing ambition of women-led businesses to expand beyond the Irish market and seize opportunities internationally. The event brought together entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey, from those considering their first export venture to established business owners already trading overseas. 

Attendees heard from an impressive line-up of speakers who shared their experiences of scaling businesses, overcoming challenges and navigating key moments of growth. 

The keynote discussion featured Marissa Carter, founder of the internationally recognised beauty brand Cocoa Brown, who reflected on her entrepreneurial journey and the lessons she learned while growing an Irish brand into a global success story. Her insights on resilience, and recognising opportunities resonated strongly with the audience. 

Entrepreneurs also heard from Therese Murphy, founder of Equi-Ed and winner of the Female of the Year Award at the 2026 National Enterprise Awards. Therese shared practical advice from her experience of developing an export-focused business and outlined both the opportunities and challenges faced by Irish companies seeking to grow internationally. 

Speaking at the event, Head of Enterprise, Economic Development and Tourism, Jacqui McNabb said: “National Women’s Enterprise Day has become a hugely important platform for celebrating the achievements of women in business. It is inspiring to see so many ambitious women looking beyond Ireland and exploring opportunities in international markets. Our team, with a dedicated Export Advisor and extensive suite of export-specific support, is available to support entrepreneurs at all stages of their business journey. Your success is not only strengthening our local economy but also showcasing Kildare innovation and enterprise on a global stage.” 

In addition to the speaker programme, guests enjoyed a pop-up boutique showcasing beauty and wellness brands created by Kildare entrepreneurs, providing an opportunity to discover and support locally developed products. 

The event concluded with afternoon tea and networking, allowing attendees to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, share experiences, and build new relationships that may support future business growth. 

National Women’s Enterprise Day is a Local Enterprise Office initiative supported by Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, with events taking place across the country each year to celebrate and support women in business.