dlr LEO celebrate National Women’s Enterprise Day

‘Open doors to new markets’ was the theme for this year’s National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED), which was officially opened by the Minister of State for Higher Education, Ms. Mary Mitchell O’ Connor T.D. at the Dublin Region Event in Leopardstown...

This event was organised by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown LEO and in collaboration with the LEOs in the other Dublin Local Authorities. Over 1,200 entrepreneurs participated in fifteen events nationwide.. 

Speaking at the event on behalf of dlr, Philomena Poole, Chief Executive said: “We are delighted that The Local Enterprise Office in dlr has teamed up with LEOs in the other Dublin local authorities to host an exciting event today, highlighting the success of female entrepreneurs in Ireland.  Our programme includes a variety of guest speakers, expert panel discussions, small business case studies, an exhibition of enterprise support agencies, one-to-one mentoring clinics, networking and the opportunity to get a business headshot. We look forward to welcoming women entrepreneurs to the event in dlr today”.

The Dublin Region entrepreneurs who shared their business stories at the event included Hope Beer producer Jeanne Mahony, Sarah Kiely, of Sadie’s Kitchen, Jeweller and former Irish Radio DJ, Jenny Huston of Edge Only luxury jewellery, Erica Rosengrave, of Homespun Foods, Ceramicist Rebeka Kahn, of Kahn Art, with the key note speech given by Roisín Hogan, of HIRO by Roisín, and former BBC Apprentice Semi-finalist.

Left to Right: Ms. Helena Cunningham. Director, Finance and Economic Development Department, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Ms. Philomena Poole, Chief Executive,  Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tom Murphy, Rebeka Kahn, Kahn ArtWear,  Minister of State for Higher Education, Ms. Mary Mitchell O’ Connor T.D.

Preparations for Brexit were also at the fore with the Manager of Enterprise Ireland’s Brexit Unit, Anne Lanigan outlining the challenges and supports available to help businesses and start-ups diversify into new markets.

Minister Mitchell O’ Connor, said: “As we celebrate National Women’s Enterprise Day across the country, our vision is for Ireland to be among the most entrepreneurial nations in the world and to be a world-class place for women to start and grow a business. The Government, through the Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland, have put a suite of supports in place to help achieve this vision. These include the Competitive Fund for Innovative Micro Enterprises, a new Technical Assistance for Micro Exporter grant and the Lean4Micro programme. My message for female entrepreneurs is that when you’re opening doors to new markets, find out how supports from your Local Enterprise Office can ‘unlock’ your company’s growth potential.”

Information on the supports on offer through the Local Enterprise Offices is available here.

Article Published: 17/10/2017