2009 NATIONAL WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE DAY “A HUGE SUCCESS”

Tánaiste Pays Tribute to Entrepreneurs at National Women’s Enterprise Day

Ireland’s enterprising women took centre stage at National Women’s Enterprise Day in Mullingar last Friday (November 20th) where 250 entrepreneurs from around the country braved adverse weather conditions to attend mentoring clinics, networking sessions and a business conference.

Speaking at the largest enterprise initiative of its kind this year, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan T.D., paid tribute to the role of female entrepreneurs,
saying: “Ireland’s female entrepreneurs, although in a minority group, play an increasingly important economic role in our society. National Women’s Enterprise Day is just one initiative that encourages and supports more women to set up a business. Through the network of County and City Enterprise Boards, the Irish Government is committed to providing year-round enterprise supports to both male and female entrepreneurs, to strengthen our enterprising culture even further.”
Describing National Women’s Enterprise Day as a “huge success”, Georgina Sweetnam from the County and City Enterprise Boards’ Organising Committee points out that over 12,000 women in business were supported by the Enterprise Boards in 2008 alone, through various training programmes, networks, mentoring clinics and grant supports. “Through exchanging ideas, sharing tips and learning from the experiences of others, we hope to encourage more female entrepreneurs to consider setting up a business or to expand their existing business in the years to come,” she said.

Co-funded by the European Social Fund and the Irish Exchequer, National Women’s Enterprise Day took place at the Mullingar Park Hotel in Co. Westmeath. Chaired by Paula Fitzsimons, the keynote speakers included the Tánaiste, Minister Coughlan T.D., Jo Fairley, co-founder of Green and Black’s Organic Chocolate, Social Media Author, Krishna De and Rita Shah from Shabra Plastics in Monaghan.

There were also questions and answer sessions with up-and-coming entrepreneurs including Jill Fitzgerald from Cake Toppers in Kerry; Limerick-native Marion Murphy Cooney, a dress designer based in Nenagh; Kilkenny-native Ann Kelsey from Econatural.ie in Kimmage; Lesley O’
Mahony from Babypotz in Cabinteely and Waterford-based Danette Connolly from Nursing and Allied Services.