Press Release 

Empowering Business Together was the theme of the LEO Midwest conference for female entrepreneurs who took part in Ireland’s National Women’s Enterprise day at the Clayton Hotel Limerick on Thursday, 19th October. This event is a flagship event for the Local Enterprises Offices around the Country. The focus of the full day programme was on female entrepreneurship and attracted extensive media attention. Across the conference, 140 attendees networked, engaged with leading industry experts and acquired valuable knowledge about the extensive range of supports available from LEO.

“There was a massive demand for tickets for this event – and participants saw it as both an opportunity to network and take time out to refresh and get motivated.  ”said Mary Ryan, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, LEO Tipperary“Being an entrepreneur, an owner and employer can be lonely – this day empowers businesses by reminding them that they are all on a similar journey and can share knowledge to overcome challenges.  Businesses often tell us they don’t have time – and then thank us when they do take the time out to reflect and get inspired” The LEO’s are uniquely positioned to support the SME sector with grant supports, individual business mentoring and training for eligible businesses.

Ciana Campbell, former RTE broadcaster and award-winning journalist was MC and the keynote speaker was Fiona O’Carroll a leader in business growth and mindset who spoke about the importance of building a peer network, how to continuously grow and develop core business skill

Reinforcing the importance of LEO was a panel of expert speakers who outlined their entrepreneurial journey and the role that LEO has played in their development. The panel included Evie & Eliza Ward Nutshed, Nenagh; Aoife Lenihan, MD Cara Motorhomes Limerick and Claire Bannon Founder and Director of Indigo based in Clare - all spoke about issues affecting women in business and the importance of achieving a good work and homelife balance - the trending hashtag was #empoweringbusinesstogether.

LEO, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland co-ordinate cohesive development for SME’s and micro enterprises. LEO Tipperary provides a “First Stop Shop”, ranging from advice on setting up a business, through to the provision of support and grants for feasibility studies, provision of financial support for the establishment of new businesses or expansion of existing ones and the provision of training and mentoring. Female entrepreneurs who possess a budding idea or wish to expand their existing business were strongly encouraged, throughout the event, to utilise the vital expertise of LEO.

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