Female entrepreneurs and budding businesswomen from Westmeath, Longford, Laois and Offaly took part in one of the largest-ever programme of events for National Women’s Enterprise Day recently.
The annual initiative of the Local Enterprise Office (LEOs ), including LEO Westmeath is now in its 17th year. The theme of this year’s event “Empowering Business Together” embraced a range of themes and challenges that are being faced by women in business as well as outlining the key supports that are available from financial and consultancy to training and mentoring.
The networking event for entrepreneurs in Westmeath took place in Castle Durrow, County Laois and was organised in partnership with Local Enterprise Offices Westmeath, Laois, Longford, and Offaly. Over 150 entrepreneurs and businesswomen participated and speakers included: Terry Prone – businesswoman and writer, Darina Allen – celebrity chef and co-founder of the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School and Anna May McHugh – Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association. This year’s “Event Ambassador” was Kelly Ging of Kelly Lou Cakes in Portlaoise.
The MC was Ann Marie Kelly – broadcaster and documentary maker. Food producers from each of the four counties were featured as part of Darina Allen’s cookery demonstration with chocolate from An Olivia Chocolate included as an ingredient for the dessert. Christine Charlton, Head of Enterprise, LEO Westmeath spoke about Olivia from An Olivia Chocolate and her business journey and introduced Olivia to all in attendance.
“National Women’s Enterprise Day is an important event in the Local Enterprise Office calendar. It provides us the opportunity to highlight the success stories of businesswomen in Westmeath who continue to do amazing things, across all sectors. On the day itself businesswomen get to network, engage, share tips and advice with others in attendance and to find out what supports are available for their business through their Local Enterprise Office,” Christine Charlton, Head of Enterprise, LEO Westmeath, said.
Some of those involved in other events across the country included Broadcaster and Entrepreneur, Anna Daly, Beauty Businesswoman Marissa Carter, MD of Ardmore Studios, Elaine Geraghty, Entrepreneur, Businesswoman and Broadcaster, Norah Casey, Smooth Company founder, Aine Kennedy and National Enterprise Awards Winner, Noreen Hackett of Advanced Cosmetics.
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 25,000 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 local information, check out LocalEnterprise.ie/Westmeath or follow Local Enterprise Office, Westmeath on social media. You can also check out www.LocalEnterprise.ie/NWED
