"AI Advantage: Empowering Women to Transformtheir Small Business"

Clarity, confidence and practical tools to help you move your business forward.

Overview

LEO Leitrim, Longford and Westmeath welcome you to "AI Advantage: Empowering Women to Transform their Small Business" 

The business landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years. For many small and medium-sized businesses, it can feel like change is constant and time is always in short supply. This session is designed to cut through that noise.

Hosted by : Miriam Simon 

An award-winning Business Strategist and Peak Performance Mentor with 30 years’ experience across corporate and entrepreneurial landscapes. She delivered impactful strategies for global brands like TK Maxx, Monsoon Accessorize, B&Q, and Lifestyle Sports—and today, she works with ambitious CEOs and leadership teams to create clarity, build resilience, and drive measurable growth.

As an accredited executive coach and a member of the Institute of Directors, she brings a grounded, practical lens to leadership development and strategic planning. My work spans tech, med-tech, tourism, hospitality, retail, and more—helping businesses cut through noise and unlock the growth they’re capable of.

Clients include household names like Facebook, Meta, Kerry Group, Kilkenny Design, Jameson, Enterprise Ireland, and many more.

Miriam Simon will explore the current business environment, what it means for SMEs today, and how leaders can respond with clarity, confidence and focus.

Most importantly, she will share practical ways to work smarter, free up time and create momentum in your business, without adding complexity.

LEO Leitrim, Longford and Westmeath will have a guest speaker representing each county who will sit on a panel and give insights into the challenges they face in business and how they overcome them. Through real stories and practical insights, this event highlights resilience, confidence and the power of peer support - Perfect for women starting, growing or developing a business.

Leitrim Speaker Margaret Doherty from Kelly Costello Limited: 

Margaret Doherty is the founder of Kelly Costello Limited, an Irish fragrance house based in Carrick-on-Shannon. She is currently developing a new business that brings together artisan perfume making with a boutique retail and visitor experience rooted in storytelling and Irish heritage.
The concept is further shaped by historian Laura Fitzachary, whose work underpins the perfume museum and the Irish story of scent.
She has spent many years working in and representing the hair and beauty industry, and has undertaken training in perfumery, including time spent at the world-renowned ISIPCA in France. She has also worked closely with master perfumers in Italy and Grasse in developing her collections.
Now bringing Kelly Costello to market, Margaret is focused on building a distinctive Irish brand that connects creativity with commercial reality, and turning an idea into a working business.

Longford Speaker Anna Peters founder of Athena Art Gallery & Café : 

A graduate of the National College of Art and Design, Anna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Ceramics and Glass and a Master’s in Sculpture and Expanded Practice. After several years working in Dublin galleries, Anna returned to her native county to open Athena in December 2023, creating Longford’s first fine art gallery combined with a café and creative studio. Through Athena, she champions Irish artists and makers, offers art classes for adults and children, and provides a vibrant, welcoming cultural hub at the heart of the local community.

Westmeath Speaker Katie Cochrane founder of Creators 31 : 

Creators31 is a creative partner specialising in cutting edge brand activations, product development and PR gifting. We bridge the gap between creative vision and commercial results, offering end-to-end design, production and project management that removes the burden from internal teams. Our strategic approach ensures every project drives high-impact brand exposure and sales.

Registration from 10.30am and the event will start from 11.00am with a light lunch served after the event at approximately 1.15pm

In collaboration with LEO Leitrim, Longford and Westmeath - booking essential.