Telling it like it is - Five successful women in business share their experiences:
Crannagh & Co. from Cavan, Cush n' Shade from Dublin City, Cooleeney Cheese from North Tipperary, Ashling Software from Kerry, Glasshammer Design from Offaly will share their experiences at the National Womens Enterprise Day on 26th November in Mullingar.
The panel of speakers was a very popular aspect of the National Women's Enterprise Day last year. This year we have an equally impressive line-up of Irish female Entrepreneurs who will tell us thier stories and answer questions from the audience. Their presentations will start at 2.10pm.
Carol Lynch & Michelle Lynch founded Crannagh & Co., a boutique firm of International Trade & Customs advisors focusing on International and European Customs and Trade Law, Import /Export Taxes (customs, anti-dumping duties, etc.), Excise Duties (both EU Directive and National implementation), Audits and Disclosures, Appeals (both national and to EU level), Export Licensing, AEO, ISA and C-TPAT, together with project management for set-ups. They have an established network of experts across the EU, the US and Asia and can therefore advice you on your import/export issues in any of these jurisdictions. Crannagh & Co International Trade & Business Services Ltd were over all winners of the 10th County & City Enterprise Board National Enterprise Awards.
Joan Bree is founder of Cush’n Shade. Their product is a portable, foldable, device that combines a cushion and a sunshade that provides neck support and protects the face from the direct rays of the sun while the rest of the body tans. It is ideal for those who love to read on the beach or by the pool. Cush’n Shade is the brainchild of Dublin interior designer, Joan Bree. In just a year since launch, Cush’n Shade is now on sale in eleven countries. Apart from Ireland, markets have been opened in Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. The German market, the biggest tourism market in the world, will be opened next year. Joan Bree's son was on Dragons Den and they were offered £50k from 2 of the Dragons – Deborah Meaden & Peter Jones. Won Dublin City Female Entrepreneur Award in 2007 (photo).
Breda Maher founded Cooleeney Farmhouse Cheese, a manufacturer of specialty hand-made cheeses including: Cooleeney Cheese, Dunbarra Cheese in natural, pepper and garlic flavours, Gortnamona Goat Cheese and Chulchoill Goat Log. Cooleeney Cheese was established in 1986. They operate a comprehensive HACCP system. The custom designed cheese plant is accredited to the BRC Global Standard – Food Issue 4. Each staff member is fully trained under the guidelines set out by the FSAI. Comprehensive microbiological testing is carried out continuously by an INAB accredited laboratory off site thus ensuring that all cheeses leave the plant at optimum quality and safety. Cooleeney Cheese was awarded gold at Tipperary Enterprise Awards 2007.Cooleeney Cheese reaches final at the SFA National Small Business Awards for achievement, innovation and excellence in small business.
Aileen and Anne Hannon are founders of Ashling software. Aisling Software Ltd. is a creative Irish company that develops and markets smart bookkeeping software for Irish businesses without a dedicated accounts department. The mission of Aisling Software is to make bookkeeping quick, easy and informative. From first-hand experience the owners of the company, Anne and Aileen Hannan, know how hard it is to do the books while trying to run a business. In 1999 they combined their knowledge and experience to develop SortMyBooks, a simple but complete Irish bookkeeping software. Anne and Aileen also organise training courses and manage the customer support line. Their company has grown from strength to strength and provides innovative software updates for their users every year.
Michelle O Donnell is founder of Glasshammer. She is an Artist and Sculptor who has worked extensively for public and private glass art commissions. Some clients include Shell Oil, Glaxo Smith Kline, OPW, Department of Finance, Compaq Computers, Accenture and Green Properties. Her work covers a broad spectrum from internal architectural commissions to large public state bodies. Her work is highly regarded both at home and abroad and she has shown her work in private collections all over the world. Work can be seen in many private collections of Art, some to date include; Antwerp National Bank, Collins Barracks Dublin, Smurfit Private Collection, Glen Dimplex Private Collections, AIB Headquarters Ireland and Office of Public Works Ireland Private Collection.