National Women’s Enterprise Day returns for 17th consecutive year

A full lineup of events across the country has been announced for this year’s National Women’s Enterprise Day. The Local Enterprise Office initiative, which takes place on the 19th of October, will see 14 events taking place under the theme of “Empowering Business Together”.

This is the 17th year of National Women’s Enterprise Day, which was established to give women in business and budding female entrepreneurs the opportunity to build their network and find out what supports are available to help them start and grow their businesses.

Some of those involved in events across the country include Broadcaster and Entrepreneur Anna Daly, Beauty Businesswoman Marissa Carter, Head of the Ploughing Championships, Anna May McHugh, MD of Ardmore Studios, Elaine Geraghty, Entrepreneur, Businesswoman and Broadcaster Norah Casey, Smooth Company founder, Aine Kennedy and National Enterprise Awards Winner, Noreen Hackett of Advanced Cosmetics.

Breege Cosgrave, Chair of National Women’s Enterprise Day, said, “This has become a key date in the calendar for women in business all over the country. Small businesses have had a lot to contend with in recent years, and this is a perfect opportunity to step out and start building your network and to see how you can grow your business.

This year’s theme is Empowering Business Together, and the scheduled events will empower women to grow both personally and professionally and to see what supports are out there from both ourselves in the Local Enterprise Offices and also in the community from other women in business.

This is a fantastic networking opportunity if you are a woman in business or a budding female entrepreneur, and I would encourage you to sign up and celebrate female entrepreneurship. There’s something for everyone on the day.”

The Local Enterprise Offices also run a number of initiatives to foster entrepreneurship across the country. These include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.

Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 25,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors, offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses.

For more information on National Women’s Enterprise Day and details of the events taking place, go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie/NWED