12 of the best hope to expand in 2020
12 West Cork business women are set to create 10 new jobs over the next 12 months after completing a special programme recently.
The Women in Business programme is funded and managed by Cork County Council’s Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Cork North and West.
The women come from a diverse range of business sectors in West Cork including nutrition, crafts and gifts, alternative therapies, beauty, and professional services.
A total of 70 women have completed the course since its inception in 2016 with over 80 jobs being created by female business leaders in that time.
The four month intensive programme is aimed at women who have been in business for a minimum of one year and allowed participants to explore the possibilities of their businesses while finding the right work/life balance for themselves.
The programme was delivered by Veronica Murphy and Billy O'Connor of The Discovery Partnership Ltd. Participants were provided with the tools they need to grow and develop their commercial businesses including strategy, finance, raising money, marketing, sales, public relations, social media, pitching, and the business plan.
Among the participants was Claire Lehane, CL HR Consultancy who said: “Participating in this course has given me the perspective and confidence I needed to take my business to the next level. Self-employment can be challenging at times but I now have a strong support network with my fellow course participants who I will continue to meet with to share ideas and offer mutual support, which is an invaluable resource.”
Sandra Maybury, Netassist and PLANtastic said: “In the past I would have convinced myself that I didn’t have time to upskill or even apply for a course like this but with the encouragement of the LEO, I did enrol and since then I have not looked back.
“This course has been the best investment in myself and my business ever. It has given me a fresh perspective on what my business can be and the courage to actively and confidently promote what I am doing. Although we all come from different backgrounds, we have found a new source of support from each other. I cannot recommend this course highly enough for any woman who is at a crossroads with her business or who needs a fresh outlook on what the future can hold. 2020 is going to be a great year!”
Tim Lucey, Chief Executive of Cork County Council said: “With female entrepreneurship at an all-time high across Cork, it is important to provide effective resources to women in business. Each of these 12 business owners have looked at ways of growing and diversifying their businesses which will in turn make them more competitive and will allow them to grow and create employment for the region.”
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan added that “all of these women have one thing in common and that is the will to succeed, to create a future for themselves and also create employment in the region. I wish them all the very best in to the future and look forward to supporting them as they continue their business journeys.”