.
Lily Bonar with Nora Irwin, Arona, Wendy Oke (TeachKloud) and NWED ambassador and Lisa O’Carroll, LEO Kerry pictured at the launch of the Cork Kerry National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED) on Thursday 17th October in Castlemartyr Resort Hotel. Picture: Clare Keogh
A HOTEL in Cork will host a special event to mark National Women’s Enterprise Day on October 17 and Kerry women are encouraged to go along.
A survey of more than 200 women in business carried out by the Local Enterprise Offices in Cork and Kerry has found that the biggest challenge facing self-employed women is finding a healthy work/life balance.
The survey, which was compiled to mark the 13th National Women’s Enterprise Day event which will be held in Castlemartyr Resort Hotel, also found that 57% of those surveyed would like to see more supports for sole traders.
Continued below…
.
The “Making it Happen” themed event which encompasses a business Afternoon Tea will see a mix of speakers tell their business story including the indomitable Celia Holman-Lee who has built a strong brand and business over the past three decades.
She will be joined by Aisling Hurley, The Business Fairy, social entrepreneur Aoibheann O’Brien, Food Cloud and a mix of LEO client representatives for a panel discussion.
Of those surveyed, just 50% are working in a role based on their educational qualifications with 56% saying that a strong business is based on hard work, followed by 33% who said it was built on having good employees and loyal clients.
67% of the respondents said they felt it was difficult to be a female in business with more than 60% saying they felt like giving up on their business at some stage on their journey. However, 100% of all who were surveyed said that it is vital to support fellow women in business.
Speaking of the event, Sharon Corcoran, Cork County Council’s Director of Services Economic Development said, “Female entrepreneurship has been recognised as an important source of economic growth with female entrepreneurs creating new jobs for themselves and others and providing society with different solutions to management, organisation and business problems. Women set up their own businesses for a number of reasons but the survey tells us that 41% set out in business as a means of finding a better work/life balance while 34% set up as a means to find financial independence. Regardless of what sector you are in, the event is for all women in business as we can all learn from each other and a strong business network has been proven to aid in the growth and success of a business.”
Also speaking of the event, County Mayor, Christopher O’Sullivan said, “Events such as this are extremely important for women in business to be able to come together, share ideas, meet like-minded individuals and create a support network. It is vital for any entrepreneur to step away from the everyday running of a business and National Women’s Enterprise Day is the perfect opportunity to utilise that opportunity for themselves and their female employees.”
Bookings for the event can be made via the Local Enterprise Online Booking system through the Cork and Kerry offices and tickets cost €30. Click here to book
