Gender diversity in the composition of leadership in Irish enterprises is vital in reflecting the modern and globalised society in which we operate and in delivering a more sustainable and inclusive economy into the future. Increasing the participation of women founding, leading and growing enterprises will result in better businesses and faster economic growth.
South East BIC has joined with Network Ireland's branches in Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary and Enterprise Ireland to celebrate Women Entrepreneurs in the South East, and discuss the funding and supports available and hear about their entrepreneurial journey.
1. Introduction and welcome by Siobhan Oates South East BIC
2. Panel 1: Hosted by Rosemary Ward, South East BIC - Supports and funding of their startups featuring:
- Erica Hargaden is a Certified Child Sleep Consultant & mum of 3. Her business, Babogue, is a digital child sleep consultancy service. It offers an online sleep program called the Sleep Series to families who are struggling with their childrens sleep. These sleep programs are now being used by over 2,000 families in 30 countries, Erica recently completed all three phases of the New Frontiers programme in Carlow.
- Niamh Byrne is well known as the founder of Ruby Rouge Boutique but she has also set up a number of related technology businesses in recent years. She founded Ruby Rouge in 2005 and in 2020 made the decision to move the boutique fully online and despite the pandemic, the business has grown its revenues over 400% since with a staff increasing from 4 to 15 from their new base in Gorey, Co Wexford. In 2018 she set up technology startup Buyerpix supported by Enterprise Ireland with CSF funding, which is a platform to manage all aspects of the buying function within the business. Niamh is a past participant of New Frontiers in Waterford and Enterprise Ireland’s Innovate programme.
3. Supports and Funding for Women Entrepreneurs: Mairead English Maher, Senior DA, Enterprise Ireland HPSU
4. Panel 2: Hosted by Aisling O'Neill, Manager of Arclabs at WIT and President of Network Ireland - The entrepreneurial journey featuring:
- Eadaoin Carrick, Co-Owner and Operations Director of The Cantec Group which has three divisions: Docutec, SmartOffice and Promotive, offering managed print services, business automation software, and design & marketing. Éadaoin is a director of Waterford Chamber, a director of the Symphony Club of Waterford and is President for 2021 of Network Ireland Waterford Branch.
- Christine Scarrick, from Kilkenny is Professional theatre director, voice teacher and vocal coach, with a particular interest in vocal health and science, currently writer-in-residence at the Watergate Theatre. Sheis currently developing a business model to create a multi-disciplinary centre for the care, repair, coaching and maintenance of the voice – across the business, health and performing arts sectors.
- Marian Kennedy is founder and CEO of Anewmum who has developed a range of healthcare & hygiene products to provide the gentle postpartum support, relief and comfort all mums deserve. She is the current President of Network's Tipperary branch.
5. Q&A
Book your place today to hear from these inspirational entrepreneurs and how their journey has evolved and what supports are available.
Tickets available here:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/women-entrepreneurs-success-stories-from-the-south-east-tickets-167485376269