THE ‘Fuelling Ambition – Steps to Success’ Mid West event, organised by Enterprise Ireland and Network Ireland, in conjunction with Local Enterprise Office Clare and the Entrepreneurs Academy, will take place in the Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty, Co Clare on Wednesday, June 14 next at 6pm.
The event aims to encourage, support and drive the ambition of female entrepreneurs in the Mid West and across the country. Caroline Dunlea, Director and co-founder of Core Optimisation and Clodagh Cavanagh, Managing Director of Abbey Machinery are two thriving Irish entrepreneurs, and they will share their business journeys and ‘steps to success’ at the event.
Building on the successful ‘Fuelling Ambition’ initiative introduced in 2016, this year’s roadshow will feature an Elevator Pitch competition with a prize package worth €4,000 including;
10 sessions with Enterprise Ireland Mentors
Attendance at Enterprise Ireland’s Excel at Export Selling training programme
Annual membership of Network Ireland
Leadership training programme with the Entrepreneurs Academy, a national entrepreneur development organisation
Representatives from Enterprise Ireland, the LEOs and Network Ireland will be on hand to discuss the wide range of supports available to female entrepreneurs and those thinking of starting their own businesses. The events will also provide an opportunity to network with like-minded entrepreneurs and business people.
Sarita Johnston, Head of Female Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Ireland, who will be in Clare on the night said: “A key focus for Enterprise Ireland is supporting companies to start, innovate and scale by realising their growth potential and global ambition. We want to see more women starting their own businesses and more women successfully scaling their existing businesses. We are delighted to be working with Network Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices and the Entrepreneurs Academy to connect with and encourage as many existing and potential female entrepreneurs as possible.”
President of Network Ireland, Rebecca Harrison said: “Network Ireland is the leading networking organisation for professional women in Ireland and we are delighted to bring the ‘Fuelling Ambition – Steps to Success’ roadshow to the Mid West this year which coincides with our monthly schedule of events. Caroline and Clodagh have a wealth of business knowledge and I think it’s a real opportunity for other business women to hear what they did to get to where they are today and to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs in the area”.
Padraic McElwee from LEO Clare said: “We will all learn so much from these entrepreneurs who have inspirational business stories. An exciting addition to this year’s event is the Elevator Pitch competition which is open to all attendees. A valuable prize package worth €4,000 is up for grabs to help the winner with their own steps to success”.
Caroline is director and co-founder of Core Optimisation – Digital Marketing Agency. Having worked with the hospitality Industry growing online revenue for 8 years she co founded Core Optimisation 3 years ago. Her straight talking approach to digital marketing and online revenue results saw the company’s client portfolio grow.
Clodagh Cavanagh is Managing Director of Abbey Machinery in Co Tipperary. The company was founded in 1947 by Clodagh’s grandparents and is one of Ireland’s most successful farm machinery companies having recently moved to a new 100,000 sq ft facility and exporting to markets in Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, France, Iceland and the UK.
Full details and booking information are available on www.enterpriseireland.com/ambitiouswomen; www.networkireland.ie , www.localenterprise.ie and www.eventbrite.ie
