Thursday 19 October marks National Women’s Enterprise Day. The aim of this event is to promote, encourage and stimulate female entrepreneurship across Ireland.
The Local Enterprise Office, along with Enterprise Ireland, provides a wide range of help, incentives, training and development programmes to female entrepreneurs.
I spoke with four business owners to discuss the importance of encouraging female entrepreneurship across the country.
Christine Murphy, Urban Aran
Christine Murphy, Urban Aran
When did you start your business?
In 2018, I completed a flexible learning course in Limerick College of Art and Design, which allowed me to further my love for fabric yarn and textiles and delve into the art of deconstructing Aran stitching techniques. From there, Urban Aran was born!
In the beginning, I found it challenging to find a manufacturer in Ireland, but, once I did, I found that having goods made and designed in Ireland really assisted my business development.
What has been the biggest challenge you faced?
The biggest challenge has been managing the growing costs of wool, as well as energy costs, while still trying to drive a profit into the business.
What is the importance of National Women’s Enterprise Day?
A need to showcase the multi-skills of women and endorse and encourage women to recognise that we can hold senior management positions in the business.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs?
Be aware of your costs, write a strategy, check it regularly and remember it is a business, not a hobby! That and don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask people for their business.
Derborah Brock, Nua Fertility
Deborah Brock, Nua Fertility
When did you start your business?
In 2017, I began my journey with Nua Fertility, inspired by my personal experience of fertility challenges.
Recognising the emotional and physical hurdles faced by one in six adults dealing with fertility issues, I conceived Nua Fertility.
Our vision extended beyond products; we aimed to create a nurturing space where individuals could empower themselves with knowledge about fertility health.
What has been the biggest challenge you faced?
Our most significant challenge has been fundraising, a particularly daunting hurdle for female entrepreneurs, with less than 1% of funding allocated to female-led ventures.
Despite this, we remain steadfast in our belief that fertility health is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, impacting one in six couples.
What is the importance of National Women’s Enterprise Day?
National Women's Enterprise Day is pivotal in raising awareness of the unique challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. It provides a platform to celebrate our achievements and advocate for change and greater support in the business world.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs?
For women entrepreneurs, here are two key principles I advocate. 'Don't trust the first answer you're given': search deeper for solutions and ask for help; and 'Trust your gut instinct (excuse the pun)': your intuition is an essential guide – don’t ignore it.
Aoife Lenihan, Cara Motor Homes
Aoife Lenihan, Cara Motor Homes
When did you start your business?
We sell, repair and hire motorhomes in Ireland and the UK. This initially started as a hobby by my parents in 1989. It grew organically from a small team of three to 25 employees in Ireland and eight in the UK.
I came on board full-time in 2010 and we arrived at a crossroads where changes had to be made. We took the plunge and opened a branch in the UK.
What has been the biggest challenge you faced?
For the last two years, there has been a huge issue with the supply chain, ie manufacturers not delivering chassis. As a result, there is a significant delay in new vehicles arriving into stock which is also having a knock-on effect in the secondhand market.
What is the importance of National Women’s Enterprise Day?
It is a fantastic day, which I think gives the opportunity for businesswomen to come together and engage with others. It enables women to share ideas and thoughts, but to also celebrate the accomplishments and strides women have made in the corporate world.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs?
Stick with it and trust in your ability to make your dreams and ideas come true. Don’t be put off by setbacks, but use them as learning experiences and a chance to hone your idea or business into a success.
Aine Kennedy, The Smooth Company
Aine Kennedy, The Smooth Company
When did you start your business?
I founded The Smooth Company in February 2022 after spending eight years working in the beauty industry and earning a degree in entrepreneurship from Maynooth University.
I always struggled with my fly-away and crazy untamed hair. Before the pandemic, I started researching what other girls do to combat this and noticed a common trend on social media of girls using gel and a toothbrush to slick their hair back.
On 8 February 2022, I launched The Smooth Company in memory of my amazing nana Carmel, who passed away on 8 February 2016 - I just know she would have absolutely loved the Smooth Stick™.
We now have over 80 million views on TikTok and have thousands of customers in over 46 countries around the world.
What has been the biggest challenge you faced?
Supply chain and rising costs have been a challenge to most businesses in recent years. We have managed to absorb these costs without passing them onto our customer.
We have done this by keeping a lean business model, with minimal overheads, but as the business is growing, it's becoming a bigger challenge. Our Christmas packaging shipping fees this year were astronomical!
What is importance of National Women’s Enterprise Day?
For me, National Women's Enterprise Day is a celebration of women entrepreneurs and women in business for their contributions to the economy.
I believe it’s an opportunity where we can take a moment to celebrate each other, inspire each other and encourage women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and to highlight the importance of supporting women-led businesses
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help – you can’t do everything by yourself and no one knows everything!
Read more
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Meet The Maker: Illustrator Kathryn Leonard
Thursday 19 October marks National Women’s Enterprise Day. The aim of this event is to promote, encourage and stimulate female entrepreneurship across Ireland.
The Local Enterprise Office, along with Enterprise Ireland, provides a wide range of help, incentives, training and development programmes to female entrepreneurs.
I spoke with four business owners to discuss the importance of encouraging female entrepreneurship across the country.
Christine Murphy, Urban Aran
Christine Murphy, Urban Aran
When did you start your business?
In 2018, I completed a flexible learning course in Limerick College of Art and Design, which allowed me to further my love for fabric yarn and textiles and delve into the art of deconstructing Aran stitching techniques. From there, Urban Aran was born!
In the beginning, I found it challenging to find a manufacturer in Ireland, but, once I did, I found that having goods made and designed in Ireland really assisted my business development.
What has been the biggest challenge you faced?
The biggest challenge has been managing the growing costs of wool, as well as energy costs, while still trying to drive a profit into the business.
What is the importance of National Women’s Enterprise Day?
A need to showcase the multi-skills of women and endorse and encourage women to recognise that we can hold senior management positions in the business.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs?
Be aware of your costs, write a strategy, check it regularly and remember it is a business, not a hobby! That and don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask people for their business.
Derborah Brock, Nua Fertility
Deborah Brock, Nua Fertility
When did you start your business?
In 2017, I began my journey with Nua Fertility, inspired by my personal experience of fertility challenges.
Recognising the emotional and physical hurdles faced by one in six adults dealing with fertility issues, I conceived Nua Fertility.
Our vision extended beyond products; we aimed to create a nurturing space where individuals could empower themselves with knowledge about fertility health.
What has been the biggest challenge you faced?
Our most significant challenge has been fundraising, a particularly daunting hurdle for female entrepreneurs, with less than 1% of funding allocated to female-led ventures.
Despite this, we remain steadfast in our belief that fertility health is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, impacting one in six couples.
What is the importance of National Women’s Enterprise Day?
National Women's Enterprise Day is pivotal in raising awareness of the unique challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. It provides a platform to celebrate our achievements and advocate for change and greater support in the business world.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs?
For women entrepreneurs, here are two key principles I advocate. 'Don't trust the first answer you're given': search deeper for solutions and ask for help; and 'Trust your gut instinct (excuse the pun)': your intuition is an essential guide – don’t ignore it.
Aoife Lenihan, Cara Motor Homes
Aoife Lenihan, Cara Motor Homes
When did you start your business?
We sell, repair and hire motorhomes in Ireland and the UK. This initially started as a hobby by my parents in 1989. It grew organically from a small team of three to 25 employees in Ireland and eight in the UK.
I came on board full-time in 2010 and we arrived at a crossroads where changes had to be made. We took the plunge and opened a branch in the UK.
What has been the biggest challenge you faced?
For the last two years, there has been a huge issue with the supply chain, ie manufacturers not delivering chassis. As a result, there is a significant delay in new vehicles arriving into stock which is also having a knock-on effect in the secondhand market.
What is the importance of National Women’s Enterprise Day?
It is a fantastic day, which I think gives the opportunity for businesswomen to come together and engage with others. It enables women to share ideas and thoughts, but to also celebrate the accomplishments and strides women have made in the corporate world.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs?
Stick with it and trust in your ability to make your dreams and ideas come true. Don’t be put off by setbacks, but use them as learning experiences and a chance to hone your idea or business into a success.
Aine Kennedy, The Smooth Company
Aine Kennedy, The Smooth Company
When did you start your business?
I founded The Smooth Company in February 2022 after spending eight years working in the beauty industry and earning a degree in entrepreneurship from Maynooth University.
I always struggled with my fly-away and crazy untamed hair. Before the pandemic, I started researching what other girls do to combat this and noticed a common trend on social media of girls using gel and a toothbrush to slick their hair back.
On 8 February 2022, I launched The Smooth Company in memory of my amazing nana Carmel, who passed away on 8 February 2016 - I just know she would have absolutely loved the Smooth Stick™.
We now have over 80 million views on TikTok and have thousands of customers in over 46 countries around the world.
What has been the biggest challenge you faced?
Supply chain and rising costs have been a challenge to most businesses in recent years. We have managed to absorb these costs without passing them onto our customer.
We have done this by keeping a lean business model, with minimal overheads, but as the business is growing, it's becoming a bigger challenge. Our Christmas packaging shipping fees this year were astronomical!
What is importance of National Women’s Enterprise Day?
For me, National Women's Enterprise Day is a celebration of women entrepreneurs and women in business for their contributions to the economy.
I believe it’s an opportunity where we can take a moment to celebrate each other, inspire each other and encourage women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and to highlight the importance of supporting women-led businesses
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help – you can’t do everything by yourself and no one knows everything!
Read more
Education at the forefront of Budget 2024
Meet The Maker: Illustrator Kathryn Leonard
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