National Women’s Enterprise Day
October 17th 2024
Calling all female entrepreneurs ...
Local Enterprise Offices Carlow & Kilkenny invite you to celebrate National Women's Enterprise Day 2024. Join us at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel in Carlow to hear from fellow female entrepreneurs. This year’s event will feature a dynamic lineup of speakers, including keynote speaker Sinead O’Brien, founder of Sinead’s Curvy Style, and engaging panel discussions highlighting the importance of women supporting women in business. It's an unmissable opportunity to gain valuable insights, grow your network, and be part of a movement that champions collaboration, resilience, and empowerment.
Don't miss this chance to be part of a community that celebrates and supports female entrepreneurship.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, October 17th, 2024
📍 Venue: Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow
⏰ Time: Registration from 11:00 AM, event starts at 11:15 AM
Booking information: https://www.localenterprise.ie/!41U9HJ
Agenda Highlights - National Women's Enterprise Day 2024
🌟 11:00 AM – Event Registration
Kickstart your day by networking with fellow attendees as you register and prepare for an inspiring event.
🎤 11:15 AM – Welcome Words by CEO of County Carlow Chamber , Nicola Doran
A warm introduction to set the stage for a day of empowerment and inspiration.
🔥 11:30 AM – Fireside Chat
Join Shonagh Lyons of Beat 102103 Breakfast Show as she engages in a captivating conversation with Irene Frisby, Managing Director of FQS and NWED Ambassador. Discover insights from this trailblazer in the world of business.
⭐ 11:50 AM – Keynote Address
Prepare to be inspired by Sinead O’Brien, Founder of Sinead’s Curvy Style. Hear her remarkable journey of entrepreneurial success and learn how she built her shapewear brand, VACIOUS, from the ground up.
🍽️ 12:30 PM – Lunch
Take a break, savor delicious food, and continue networking with like-minded women.
👩💼 1:20 PM – Women Supporting Women Panel
A dynamic discussion featuring powerful female leaders:
- Shonagh Lyons – MC & Host of Beat 102103 Breakfast Show
- Sinead O’Brien – Founder of Sinead’s Curvy Style
- Linda Codoul – President, Network Ireland
- Rosemary Ward – Deputy CEO, Propelor BIC
- Kate Gaynor – Managing Director, Advanced Coatings
💡 2:00 PM – Closing Words
Wrap up the day with final thoughts from Melissa Doyle, Carlow LEO.
Meet the Speakers:
MC Shonagh Lyons
Shonagh hails from Wexford and prides herself on being a yellow belly but unfortunately only knows the chorus of “Dancing at the Crossroads”! She began her media career in 2007 when she landed the job of presenter on RTE's Saturday morning kids TV show Sattitude. She spent over two years presenting the live Saturday morning show where her job involved being gunged and gunging guests! She went on to work as a Presenter and Researcher on various programmes for RTÉ 2 including The Buzz, Kazoo, People in Need, The Mountain and Watch Your Language. You might have also caught her on TV3's The All Ireland School’s Talent Show. Shonagh started in Beat in 2016 and since then has worked on many shows, promotions and documentaries- one of which won Bronze at the IMRO Radio Awards in 2019. Last August she joined her pal and South East radio royalty as ‘Beat Breakfast with Niall and Sho’ was launched.
Key Note Speaker – Sinead O’Brien
Meet Limerick Entrepreneur Sinead O Brien, best known as Sinead’s Curvy Style. As a professional Singer & Influencer, with a total following of over 150k on socials, Sinead took on the world of business with her Shapewear brand VACIOUS in 2021. Hitting the industry with a bang, VACIOUS has grown exponentially over the past 2 years, with an original line of Shape-wear & Swimwear pieces loved by many. All crafted with unique compression formulas, aimed to help women feel more confident in their curves.
On top of being one of Ireland’s top creators, Sinead started VACIOUS on her own & has mastered the art of brand building through her unique take on the fashion industry.
Sinead is also one of Irelands top influencers, who has shared her love for fashion and zest for life with her following since 2013. Mama to Jacob, fiancé to long term partner Simon, Sinead's followers enjoy tuning in on the daily to follow her wedding plans whilst juggling being a mom and building a global brand.
NWED 2024 Ambassador – Irene Frisby
Irene Frisby is Managing Director of FQS, and an active QP and RP on many Irish MIAs (Manufacturers and Importers Authorisations) and WDAs (Wholesale distribution Authorisations) for both local and global companies. Irene is a Certified Aviation Security Instructor (CIN 146) and conducts training and consultation in this area on a regular basis. Irene is actively involved on client projects on a day-to-day basis and leads a team of respected pharmaceutical and aviation security experts.
With offices based in Ireland and the UK, FQS supports several leading national and international global pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, distribution companies and marketing authorisation holders. The team is comprised of highly qualified and experienced professionals who
have worked with some of the world’s leading companies. We also collaborate closely with a dedicated team of contractor/associates. With a strong client focus, we are here to ensure your compliance, and training needs are met with unwavering support and a friendly approach.
Meet the Panel
Kate Gaynor
Kate Gaynor is the Managing Director and Owner of Advanced Coatings, a specialised paint company in Carlow. It is the umbrella organisation for her two other brands, The Paint Hub and Alchemist. With a family legacy spanning three generations in the paint industry, Kate has accumulated 24 years of experience. Notably, she was the first female in the UK to attain a Level 2 Paint Inspector qualification.
Established by her parents in 1995, Advanced Coatings has thrived under Kate's leadership since she assumed control in 2011. Her strategic initiatives within the first 18 months resulted in more than doubling the company's revenue and nearly tripling its profitability. Additionally, she initiated the expansion into decorative paints by creating The Paint Hub and cultivating an engaged social media community with over 47,000 followers. Her latest endeavour, Alchemist, represents a premium paint brand explicitly tailored for Irish homes, emphasising quality and sustainability.
Kate's dedication extends far beyond her business pursuits. She supports two local women's GAA teams and holds an MBA from SETU. Her commitment to sustainability is a business strategy and a personal value that she embodies in her eco-friendly business practices. This commitment has solidified her position as a leading industry figure renowned for innovation and community engagement.
Rosemary Ward
Rosemary Ward is Deputy CEO at Propelor (the new name for South East BIC) where she works with innovative entrepreneurs with high potential and global ambition throughout their start up journey. She has successfully engaged with clients to access funding through business angels, venture capital and private investors as well as financial institutions and government agencies, particularly working on Enterprise Ireland’s PSSF and HPSU funding instruments. With five years’ experience as Trade Marketing Manager with Waterford Crystal, Rosemary has more than ten years sales and marketing experience in multinational and national technology, consumer goods and retail companies. She has a B. Comm (International | Spanish) from UCD and recently completed her certification from the Digital Marketing Institute in Digital Marketing Strategy & Planning.
Linda Codoul
A Business Support Specialist, Linda spent 10 years working in the banking sector before leaving in 2022 for an administration role with US healthcare company Abbott. She has a Master's in Management, a degree in Finance, and qualifications in Project Management. She joined Network Ireland in 2017 and was Kilkenny Branch President in 2021. “A Step Ahead” is Linda’s theme for 2024 and she believes that being a member of Network Ireland will help give anyone a boost in their career. The theme for the year is "A Step Ahead" - since becoming a member of this wonderful organisation she has had opportunities to do new things, been pushed outside of her comfort zone, and has grown in confidence. Over the years, she built up a large, trusted network of people with whom she can bounce ideas around, discuss situations with, and has confidence in the advice provided. Having a support network outside of her employment and family offers a fresh perspective without bias. She firmly believes that she would not be the person she is today and that her career would not be where it is if she was not a member of Network Ireland.
