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National Womens Enterprise Day

Speaking at the launch, Micheál Martin, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment said "Supporting entrepreneurship is vital to ensure the growth of Ireland's economy, particularly as we compete more against new European Union countries and the Far East for international business. Research indicates that Ireland has an increasingly entrepreneurial culture but that more needs to be done to support women in enterprise. This event raises the importance of this issue and will also provide valuable supports and networking for all those who attend."

There are 500 women starting businesses in Ireland every month but it is unknown how many of these are long-lasting ventures*. Sheelagh Daly, Chair of the National Women's Enterprise Day Organising Committee and Chief Executive of Wicklow County Enterprise Board says this event will provide potential and new entrepreneurs with a platform to establish a support network and business contacts, increasing the likelihood of business success. "The recent GEM report found that only four out of ten women believe that they have the knowledge and skills to start a business. This event will show women how to overcome the typical difficulties associated with starting up or growing a business."

Sheelagh Daly continued: "This is the first time the County & City Enterprise Boards and other state agencies have come together with the specific intention of providing a holistic offering to women in business. The outcome for the women attending is that they can access much of what they need to know to help them in starting or expanding their business, in one place on the one day. "

Ruth Badger, former participant in 'The Apprentice', mentor on Sky One's 'The Big Idea' and host of her own series, 'Badger or Bust', will be keynote speaker on the day. Ruth Badger now runs her own company, The Badger Consultancy, specialising in advising companies on how to make the most of their business.

Attendees will benefit from expert advice from International Business Networking Expert Will Kintish, practical tips from one-to-one mentors and advice from agencies and organisations that offer support, information and guidance to businesses including the Revenue, the Patents Office and the Companies Registration Office.

Speaking about the challenges many female entrepreneurs face, Sheelagh Daly commented: "The outcome for those attending will be that they come away from the day inspired, informed and motivated to fully exploit their potential as entrepreneurs"

Six women who run their own businesses across Ireland, including Pamela Fitzmaurice of Blazing Salads Food Company Ltd; Rachel Doyle of Ireland's first five star garden centre, The Arboretum; Mary Kelly of Kellys Organics, Tara Cunningham of Release Speech Therapy, Catherine Fulvio of Ballynocken House and Carol Ann Casey of CA Consulting will also provide delegates with an insight to their businesses.

The event will take place on the 21st November in The Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar, and is hosted by the County and City Enterprise Boards. If you would like to attend, visit www.nwed.ie, email info@nwed.ie or telephone Clara Clark, 01 289 8533 for a booking form. An attendance fee of €50 applies.

The National Women's Enterprise Day is an output of the "Services to promote Women in Business / Entrepreneurship" element of the National Development Plan (NDP), Gender Equality Unit in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The partners in this programme include Enterprise Ireland, Teagasc, Bord Bia and Fáilte Ireland.