OFFALY’S NATIONAL WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE DAY EVENT ANNOUNCED
Female entrepreneurs and budding businesswomen from across Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath are being encouraged to “Make it happen” and register for this year’s National Women’s Enterprise Day after the line up for the event was announced.
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) initiative, now in its 18th year, will take place on Thursday 17th October with events scheduled across the country. There are 14 events nationwide and they feature a range of successful businesswomen, up and coming female entrepreneurs and amazing speakers in areas of sustainability, innovation, networking and marketing.
Some of those involved in events across the country include Anne Heraty of CPL, Aimee Connolly of Sculpted by Aimee, broadcaster and entrepreneur, Norah Casey, Martina Fitzgerald of Scale Ireland, entrepreneur Chupi Sweetman and broadcaster and podcaster Sile Seoige. They will be joined at the events across the country by a host of female led small businesses and start-ups are telling their story of how they began and made it happen with their ideas.
The theme of this year’s event, “Making it happen”, will encourage businesswomen to take that next whether that be to act on an idea, grow their business or take steps to change or innovate in their business. The events will outline the key supports that are available from financial and consultancy to training and mentoring to help them along the way from starting out right through to bringing a business to global markets.
This year the Midland’s event is taking place in The Crypt beneath St. Mel’s Cathedral, Longford. Key note speaker will be Anne Heraty, founder and former Chief Executive of CPL Resources plc. This year the local ambassador is Louise Brennan, the driving force behind the hugely successful Fabiani and Mudshot in Longford. MC on the day is Sinéad Hussey, Midlands Correspondence for RTE News, who will also facilitate a Q&A session. Internationally recognised soprano, Emer Barry will share her music industry experiences, highlighting a new business sector for our NWED event. Director of Services for Longford County Council, Barbara Heslin will open the event as well as participating in the Q&A session.
The Local Enterprise Offices also run a number of initiatives to foster entrepreneurship across the country. These include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland. Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 75,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses.
For more information on National Women’s Enterprise Day and what events are on go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie/NWED