County Meath Women in Business Network

By creating a friendly collaborative space to connect and learn we aim to encourage, support and empower women. We invite all women working in Co. Meath and surrounds to join us!

While women are setting up businesses in greater numbers than before, there are still significant opportunities to develop and grow in early stage business and accelerate.

County Meath Women in Business Network is an initiative of Local Enterprise Office and County Meath Chamber of Commerce to encourage and support women who are starting business or are already up and running and to provide easy access to a supportive network, expert speakers, etc, to maximise their success and growth potential.

• Business women in county Meath are encouraged to use the network to promote their business, create alliances with other members, learn new skills, get help from likeminded people facing similar business challenges and increase their contacts to encourage business development
• There are four seminars scheduled for 2018/19 over the months of September, November, March and May in varying locations across county Meath
• With a mixture of networking events, workshops and inspirational key note speakers, Meath WIB Network can help you gain business success

The second Meath Women in Business Seminar is Thursday 22nd November - Resilience in the Face of Adversity

WELCOME OUR GUEST SPEAKERS 1. Margaret Hoctor:  Life Coach  2. Yvonne Ruiter:  Owner of the Donkey Shed Restaurant

Margaret Hoctor

My working world as I had known it for 16 years changed forever on the 1st of October 2013. My Senior Director role in a leading Global Research company was no longer required. Although I had seen the changes coming, when I was made redundant I was still shocked. It was extremely difficult.

We all deal with situations differently. Mine was to start the next morning and pick every apple in the quiet orchard on our family farm and make sure it all turned into apple juice. I was fortunate to have such a lovely place to go to. I then assisted my husband to sell his lamb directly off the farm. Thankfully the farm is doing well and we have very loyal clients.

However there continued to be a void or something missing in terms of what I could offer. I love working with people, finding solutions, seeing the ‘bigger picture’, so I went on a journey of discovery by doing various courses to see if I could find something that would interest me but also allow me to add value to not only my life but others. This is when I discovered my passion for coaching and ultimately led to my qualification in life coaching.

I find having lived a varied life, including 12 years abroad, I have gained experience in various roles. I aim to ask the very question that can make the difference and unlock the potential in people.  My belief is simply this …we have just the one life … so If I can ask the question or facilitate a process, or help break down a belief that may be holding you back from moving forward, I can enable you to live the life you deserve.

Yvonne Ruiter

Newbarn farm is a family run farm set on 33 acres near Ashbourne, Co. Meath, owned by William and Yvonne Ruiter. William and Yvonne are passionate horticulturists and have been growing vegetables for nearly forty years.

Initially growing vegetables for supermarkets, William and Yvonne became frustrated with the waste resulting from the supermarkets demands for more packaging on fresh produce and wanting produce that was uniformly the one shape and size. They also disliked the amount of time it took their lovingly grown vegetables to get from their farm to the final customer.

Deciding to cut out the middle man, William and Yvonne opened Newbarn Farm Shop in 2004, selling their home-grown vegetables from a small corner of the farm shed directly to the customer. The shop has expanded over the years but the focus is still very much on supplying our customers with the freshest and best quality farm produce we can.

Not content with just selling fruit and vegetables and wanting to share their passion for fresh ingredients, William and Yvonne opened up The Donkey Shed Restaurant in 2011. An excellent home cook, Yvonne worked closely with our kitchen team in creating our menu and our delicious scones are made exactly to Yvonne’s own recipe.  Yvonne and William’s son, Andrew, upon completing his studies in horticulture also works on the farm and is involved in growing and sourcing fruit and vegetables for the Farm Shop. Saskia joined the farm in 2011 and works in the restaurant.

It will be held in the New Barn Farm in Ashbourne from 6.15pm till 8.30pm and will include a goodie bag and a free draw for those attending on the night.

Book your place now at this link