‘WE’RE stronger together’ is the message from the Local Enterprise Office Limerick (LEO Limerick) at the launch of events to mark National Women’s Enterprise Day on Wednesday 14 October 2020.
The interactive events are moving online to LocalEnterprise.ie/NWED and the big themes this year are resilience, self-care, innovation and opportunity.
All events in the programme are free of charge and include workshops with experts, panel discussions, a virtual marketplace and facilitated networking to connect more entrepreneurs with each other.
Entrepreneurs who will be sharing their insights and journeys include Olympian-turned-company founder Derval O’ Rourke, Sonia Deasy of the Irish global skincare brand, Pestle & Mortar, Pamela Laird of Moxi Loves who was a finalist on BBC’s The Apprentice and Áine Kerr, the co-founder of Kinzen and RTÉ broadcaster, who is also the MC for the day.
The Local Enterprise Office initiative, now in its 14th year, was launched by the Tánaiste and Minister Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, and is being funded by the Government of Ireland in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and Local Authorities.
Figures released by Local Enterprise Offices to coincide with the launch reveal that 20,551 female participants took part in training programmes with the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in the first six months of 2020, an increase of 58% over the same period last year.
There is also greater demand for mentoring support this year, with 3,567 female entrepreneurs taking up the support between January and June 2020, an increase of 19%.
The Tánaiste, who will be delivering the opening address on National Women’s Enterprise Day, said: “The ‘Stronger Together’ message for National Women’s Enterprise Day has never been more important. I look forward to addressing this year’s event and hearing from inspiring female business leaders on how they have managed the past few months.”
“The Government is determined to help more women pursue entrepreneurship as a career and I’m encouraged to see such a significant increase – 58%, taking up the training programmes that are available.
“Training and mentorship can make a huge difference to any entrepreneur starting out, on what can often be a lonely journey, and I encourage all women considering setting up their own business to contact their Local Enterprise Office to see how they can help you.”
Mary Killeen Fitzgerald, Senior Enterprise Development Officer with LEO Limerick said: “We want to show businesses that we’re ‘Stronger Together.’ We also want to show how small changes can make big impacts, how we can learn from each other, how small businesses can cultivate innovation and how international markets can offer new opportunities.”
“Registration is now open and events are free to join so I would encourage local businesswomen and aspiring female entrepreneurs to join us online for a day of education, inspiration and motivation!”
Other contributors on the day include: Siobhan Kinsella of Chambers Ireland; Alison Richie of Polar Ice; Joanne Hession of LIFT Ireland; Tracy Keogh of Grow Remote; Larissa Feeney of Accountant Online; Deirdre Parkinson of Microfinance Ireland as well as Sheelagh Daly, Anne Lanigan and Marina Donohoe of Enterprise Ireland.
For more information on National Women’s Enterprise Day and to pre-register for the free events, go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie/nwed or search #NWED on social media.
