Going for Growth past participants from Galway are encouraging female entrepreneurs in the county who are determined to grow their businesses to apply for the award-winning business development programme.
Going for Growth has started accepting applications for the 16th year of the programme and the deadline to apply is Friday November 17.
The programme, which is supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG, helps ambitious female entrepreneurs to achieve their growth ambitions – helping to build stronger companies, create new jobs and increase revenues.
Up to 60 places will be available and applications are sought from female entrepreneurs across all sectors who are strongly focused on growth. There is no charge for those selected and the six-month initiative will begin in January 2024.
Going for Growth has seen more than 900 businesswomen take part since its first cycle in 2008. Award-winning pastry chef Gráinne Mullins, founder of Grá Chocolates., was a participant on the most recent cycle of Going for Growth. Luxurious and decadent, Grá Chocolates are exquisite artisan confections made with love in county Galway.
She says: “Going for Growth was such an incredible experience for me. I connected with women in a similar position to me and we could be open and vulnerable to each other about the struggles of having our own businesses. I learned so much over the few months and having peers that understood and could advise you really helped to keep me on track. I am so thankful for being chosen for the Going for Growth Programme.”
Some other members from the Going for Growth Community from Galway who are encouraging others to apply include Rachael Gray, founder of Call Pal, a customer service focused call answering company that provides virtual receptionist service to companies in Ireland and the UK.
Rachael, who was a participant on the 14th cycle said Going for Growth was just what she needed.
“It is a focused programme to help (and force ) me to work on my business, and on myself as its leader. The format of having a Lead Entrepreneur, and a group of peer entrepreneurs, was very effective, enjoyable, and inspiring. I couldn’t recommend it more highly.”
Vanessa Creaven co-founded Spotlight Oral Care with her sister Lisa, with the goal to create the safest and most effective oral health products for their patients.
Vanessa was a participant on the 11th cycle of Going for Growth and said beginning the cycleshe expected I would gain a lot of expertise, but she had no idea as to the extent of that expertise, or the friendships she would make along the way.”
Former Irish Rugby International Yvonne Comer, co-founder of RugbySmarts, was a participant on Starting Strong, which is Going for Growth’s sister programme for earlier stage businesses.
“Starting Strong has been a great programme in helping me set the priorities for the business and be held accountable to those goals. The peer-to-peer learning and support from my group and Lead Entrepreneur has helped immensely, with lots of practical advice and a safe place to raise any concerns or issues. I would advise anyone who is looking to elevate their company to the next level to apply as the network and support is invaluable.”
Feedback from the previous cycle of Going for Growth has been extremely positive, with 96% of participants saying their involvement brought about practical change within their business and 97% saying they felt nearer to achieving their ambitions. All participants said they would recommend the programme to others.
Going for Growth brings together female entrepreneurs for monthly peer-to-peer roundtable discussions facilitated by successful businesswomen. They are known as Lead Entrepreneurs. Their participation is completely voluntary and is done in a spirit of altruism and the wish to share their experience and insights with others at an earlier stage of their growth journey.
Seven of this year’s Lead Entrepreneurs are former Going for Growth participants.
This year’s voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs include Anne Cusack, formerly Critical Healthcare; Chupi Sweetman-Durney, Chupi; Jeananne O’Brien, Artizan Food Co.; Leonora O’Brien, formerly Pharmapod;Louise Phelan, formerly Phelan Energy Group; Marissa Carter, Carter Beauty; Monica Flood, formerly Olas IT; Oonagh O’Hagan, Meaghers Pharmacy Group and Tara Beattie, Prepsheets.com
The support provided does not end on completion of the six-month cycle, with most past participants becoming part of the Going for Growth community. Going for Growth alumni can apply for the Continuing the Momentum programme, which offers Lead Entrepreneur facilitated roundtables to those looking to continue their growth journey, with the aid of peer support, focused goals, and milestones.
