National Women’sEnterprise Day

2015

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The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway ∫ 21st - 22nd October 2015

#nwed/nwedireland

CREATING

BUILDING

CONNECTIONS

BUSINESS

BOOKING INFORMATION ∫ The National Women’s Enterprise Day delegate fee is €100.

∫ Delegate fee includes half day conference programme, supper and informal networking on Wednesday, 21st October and full day conference and lunch on Thursday, 22nd October.

∫ Free, confidential one to one mentoring sessions with experienced business mentors will be available on both Wednesday and Thursday. The sessions will be managed by appointment, so delegates will have to register for a one-to-one mentor session upon arrival at the conference.

∫ Overnight accommodation delegate rates apply. See hotel information below for further details.

∫ To Book and Pay for your place now, simply go to www.nwed.ie and click on the “Book Now” button. By clicking on this link you will be redirected to the secure online booking system Eventsforce at Enterprise Ireland.

∫ Please contact your Local Enterprise Office or Limerick Local Enterprise Office with any queries.

∫ Cancellation Policy: The full participation fee is due upon online registration. Cancellations received on or before Monday, 12th October 2015 will receive a full refund. Cancellations after 13th October 2015 will be liable for the full cost of the event.

HOTEL INFORMATION ∫ NWED 2015 will be held at The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway on Wednesday, 21st October and Thursday, 22nd October

2015.

∫ Please telephone the Galway Bay Hotel directly on 091 520520 and quote National Women’s Enterprise Day in order to book a room. Hotel room bookings for this event are by telephone only. The hotel is block booked for this event so rooms are not available through the hotel website.

∫ Conference room rates: Single Occupancy €75 B&B, Double Occupancy €59 B&B pps.

∫ The Galway Bay Hotel is ideally located just a 5 minute drive from Galway City in Salthill. It is situated along the coast road in Salthill over looking the Promenade.

∫ Parking is available at the hotel.

MENTOR SESSIONSFree, confidential one to one mentoring sessions with experienced business mentors will be available on both Wednesday and Thursday. Delegates who would like to discuss some aspect of their business, be that getting feedback on a new idea or getting input on a particular aspect of the business can avail of a mentor session.

The sessions will be managed by appointment, so delegates will have to register for a one-to-one mentor session upon arrival at the conference.

Mentors will be available in the following areas:

∫ Finance

∫ Sales & Marketing

∫ Business Start Up & Sustainability

∫ E-Business

∫ Food Enterprise

EXHIBITION INFORMATIONSupport and advice organisations for small business will be exhibiting until 3pm on Thursday 22nd October, with personnel available to give advice & deal with your queries.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING LOTS OF BUSINESS CARDS OR ANY RELEVANT MARKETING MATERIAL

Expert Panel

Case Studies: Telling It Like It Is Thursday, 13:45

Thursday, 11:00

EuropeanUnionEuropean Regional Development Fund

EuropeanUnionEuropean Regional Development Fund

www.nwed.ie

Ruth Monahan, Appassionata FlowersRuth Monahan is the owner and creative director of Appassionata Flowers, a company she started 10 years ago with her husband Ultan Devaney.

Together with her talented team of 12, Ruth has grown Appassionata into a recognised brand for beautifully crafted quality flowers with a concentration on design. With a busy shop and studio in Dublin city centre, Ruth prides herself on the Appassionata Flowers dynamism, efficiency and ability to make creative and inspired flowers to suit the smallest of personal requests to fulfilling the largest of huge scale events.

Ruth has just completed the latest cycle of Going for Growth and was shortlisted for the Image Creative Businesswoman of the Year in 2014.

Anne Cusack, Critical HealthcareDr. Anne Cusack, with a background in Science is Managing Director of Critical Healthcare, the company she co-founded in 2000. Critical Healthcare produces brands including MediQuilt, a range of disposable linen products; Duramedic, a medical equipment and consumable product range, and more recently, Medlogistix, a bespoke procurement SaaS.

In 2013, Critical Healthcare secured the contract for the first ever Fully Managed Web Based Solution for the supply of patient care consumables for the Irish National Ambulance Service/HSE with Medlogistix. This unique platform is aimed specifically at the healthcare market and offers a fully managed solution for the procurement, stock management and delivery of medical products across multiple locations.

They have since implemented Medlogistix across the three largest private ambulance operators in the UK and trials of MediQuilt are also ongoing with two NHS Ambulance Trusts.

Anne and her team of 18 people are delighted to have won a number of Awards including the SFA Innovation Award 2013 and the IMSTA (Irish Medical and Surgical Trade Association) Best Services Company award 2014 for Medlogistix.

Triona Mac GiollaRi, Aró Digital StrategyTriona co-founded Aró Digital Strategy with her business partner Alan Rowe in 1996. AróDigital Strategy is a leading digital agency providing bespoke website design, technology and dynamic marketing strategy to premium brands, predominately in the hospitality industry and a client list of leading luxury brands. Aró are committed to creating successful digital campaigns for their clients through partnership. They are at the cutting edge of the digital revolution with the experience and dedication to help grow their clients online market share. Prior to setting up Aro Digital Strategy Triona ran a City Centre Desktop Publishing agency Triskele Design in Galway. Triona is a mentor for Coder Dojo Galway, an organisation devoted to teaching students between the ages of 7 and 17 how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and explore technology in an informal and creative environment. Triona has a B.Comm from NUIG and a B. A. in Art & Design (GMIT).

Niamh O’Neill, Niamh O’Neill, Creative Director at Niamh O’NeillNiamh O’Neill graduated from NCAD, Dublin, in 2008 with first class honours. Having worked at some of the top international fashion houses in New York and Paris, Niamh O’Neill launched her eponymous womenswear label in Winter 2012. The following year she scooped the Irish Fashion Designer of the Year award at the prestigious Irish Fashion Innovation Awards. Niamh’s collections combine clean lines and contemporary cutting with luxurious fabrics, creating an instantly identifiable look of understated elegance. Niamh, who was a national finalist in ‘Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition, has big plans for the expansion of her label. These plans include the introduction of a capsule cashmere collection and international buyers are already taking note. Niamh O’Neill creates innovative, vibrant clothing for women, which gives them the confidence to shine. www.niamhoneill.com

Florrie Purcell, The SculleryThe Scullery is a truly home grown business that started from humble beginnings and has been expanding ever since. Florrie Purcell set up this artisan food venture in 2004 and was inspired to do so by her childhood experiences and associations with food in Nenagh Co.Tipperary. The economic climate also played a part, forcing her to rethink her business focus and strategy.

Bringing a contemporary twist to traditional recipes, The Scullery creates a delectable range of handmade Christmas Puddings, Relishes, BBQ Sauces, Pasta Sauces and Pickles. This multi-award winning range is handmade in small batches delivering a consistent, delicious fresh flavour and colour. The range is natural: Fat free, Gluten Free, preservative, colour and additive-free.

With twenty seven years experience working in the food industry she has gained a deep level of experience in all aspects of food production, standards, marketing, selling with exceptional experience and understanding about emerging market trends. www.thescullery.ie

Leigh Williams, Wicklow BreweryLeigh’s story began 12 years ago when her boyfriend, now husband, asked her would she be interested in setting up a restaurant on his family Holiday Park. She enthusiastically accepted his offer, quit her job and opened ‘The Snug’.

The business went from strength to strength and having extended into a derelict building next door they transformed into a high end restaurant that allowed them to upgrade their food offering and cater for special functions including weddings.

Last year was the ultimate dream when they added the Wicklow Brewery to their destination package. Having been asked by tourists for years for a local beer, in September 2014 they listened to the customers and opened the doors of the Wicklow Brewery. With Hooleys in the Brewery every Saturday and daily Brewery tours married with Beer infused food, the business has had a very successful first year. They are now supplying Beer to over 30 venues throughout Dublin & Wicklow. www.wicklowbrewery.ie

Claire Bannon, Avokado & Co.Claire Bannon dreamt up Avokado & Co. when she noticed a gap in the market for trendy yet nostalgic Irish products to suit today’s stylish market. She set out to create a brand new product to suit modern Irish culture at home and around the world. Avokado & Co. offer a full range of fun Irish sayings on stylish contemporary materials and designs that capture Irish expression & identity, which are creative, fun and quality home gifts.

With a passion for “Irishness” all products are put together in house, from design, illustrations, manufacturing & distribution. With the combination of modern technology & innovation along with top quality materials and presentation, her signs have charmed the hearts of many. With an almost immediate success Avokado & Co.’s signs started out at markets and are now on sale nationwide in large retail outlets & independent stores. It’s very successful online shop offers it’s own unique service of customised sayings shipping directly to their customers worldwide. www.avokadoandco.com

Síle is the youngest of four children and grew up in the village of Spiddal in Connemara on the west coast of Ireland.

She is fluent in Irish and has spent the past 17 years working in the media industry, primarily as a Television and Radio broadcaster.

Presenting and researching TV projects across all TV stations in Ireland (RTÉ, TV3 and TG4) from Entertainment, Daytime, Lifestyle, Factual, Young Peoples, Sports, Comedy, Weather and News and Current Affairs programming.

In December 2014 she recorded the lead vocal on a song called “Maybe This Christmas” to raise money for two very worthy Irish charities; it was a top 10 hit for 3 consecutive weeks in the Irish charts.

And this year she also made her acting debut in smash hit comedy musical ‘I Keano’ as the character “Surfia” in the Olympia Theatre receiving rave reviews during it’s extended run.

She is currently studying yoga and meditation and is proud to be an Ambassador for Make-A-Wish Ireland.

Conference FacilitatorSíle Seoige

Highly respected entrepreneur Deirdre Bounds is a TV presenter, business mentor and author. Proclaimed by the Telegraph as having “the Northern grit and determination that represents the perfect role model for business”, this former comedienne, world backpacker, English teacher, outback bus driver, media pundit, author of ‘Fulfilled, A Personal Revolution in Seven Steps’ and mum of two is a down to earth visionary who set up the ethical travel company i-to-i.com.

From bedsit to big time; from standing start to leading light; from ‘can do’ to ‘already done’, Deirdre is a runaway success and what makes her story truly remarkable is that she’s an entrepreneur in the purest sense. She had no commercial experience, no family history of enterprise and no money; just a great idea, a pile of passion and a sense of humour! She has lived a life that shows astonishing triumph over adversity and that dreams really can come true. She never fails to enthuse and inspire with the infectious secret of her business and personal success

Keynote SpeakerDeirdre Bounds

Oonagh O’ Hagan is the owner and Managing Director of the Meagher’s Pharmacy Group in Dublin. Oonagh qualified as a pharmacist in 1996 from Trinity College Dublin after which she worked as intern for one year for Pierce Meagher on Baggot Street. Oonagh could immediately see the potential in this pharmacy and dreamt of one day owning it. Four years later that dream came true. Oonagh retained the Meagher’s name above the door and maintained the family values but has expanded to now six pharmacies and a thriving online store.

Meagher’s’ pharmacy group currently employs over 60 people and provides prescription, healthcare and beauty services to a diverse customer base in Dublin and beyond.

Oonagh has been actively involved with Ireland’s largest Retail representative body - Retail Excellence Ireland for over 8 years. REI supports its 11,000 members with key learning activities, market intelligence, and a wide variety of services such as HR. It also acts as representative body with Government bodies on a wide variety of issues. Oonagh has been a board member for four years and is chairperson of Retail Excellence Ireland for 2014/2015.

Within REI Oonagh also founded Women in Retail, which is a woman’s network of female directors and senior managers working to achieve common goals within the retail sector. WIR acts as a platform to inspire, support and provide learnings to women to allow them to progress to the most senior positions within their organisations.

Oonagh also sits on the Preliminary Proceedings Committee in the Pharmaceutical Society ofIreland the pharmacy regulator in Ireland. The PPC’s role is to decide on the appropriate action steps be taken against pharmacists or pharmacies to whom a complaint has been made against and refer onto the appropriate committee.

Oonagh also sits on the wholesale advisory board of United Drug Group PLC to help steer the direction of UDG with their work here in Ireland and to advise on the implementation of their strategy and how it might affect pharmacies and other stakeholders.

Recently Oonagh has been appointed as an external member to the Finance committee of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to help advise on business matters and act as a sounding board on financial matters to the college.

Keynote SpeakerOonagh O’ Hagan

EVENT PROGRAMME

Wednesday 21st October

14.00 – 17.00 Free Mentor Sessions available – please register upon arrival

13.00 Arrival, Conference & Mentor Registration, Tea/Coffee

14.00 Marketing and PR - Communicating with your Customers

16.00 Tea/Coffee and Informal Networking, Hotel check in

17.00 Formal Networking event with Clare Mulligan Consulting

19.00 Supper and Informal Networking

Guest Speaker. Registered delegates can enjoy both formal and informal networking with

a light buffet meal and refreshments which is included in delegate fee.

Thursday 22nd October

10.30 – 12.00 Free Mentor Sessions available – please register upon arrival

13.30 – 15.00

Exhibition throughout the day, close of exhibition at 3.00 p.m.

8.00 Registration, Tea/Coffee, Informal Networking

9.00 Welcome by Breda Fox, Head of LEO, Galway

9.10 Introduction by Conference Facilitator Síle Seoige

9.15 Keynote Speaker: Deirdre Bounds, i-to-i.com, Entrepreneur, TV Presenter, Business mentor and author

10:15 Coffee Break and Informal Networking

11.00 Expert Panel Discussion - Presentations, Panel Discussion Q&A

12.30 Lunch and Informal Networking

13.45 Case Studies x 4 – DVD and Panel Discussion Q & A

15.00 Keynote Speaker: Oonagh O’Hagan, Meaghers Pharmacy

16.00 Conference Close

Communicating with your customers

Formal Networking Event

Enterprise Exhibition

Wednesday 14:00

Strategic Networking – this workshop will outline

how to strategically set your networking goals in line

with your career and business goals.

Clare will also cover some key psychological insights

for developing networking skills and networking

confidence.

Clare Mulligan is a Work and Organisational Psychologist with her own

consultancy practice. Clare worked previously for over 20 years in senior roles

within the Financial Services sector and now mixes her business experience

and psychological theory to understand the challenges of organisations and

help develop optimal solutions.

Clare believes strongly in the benefit of networking for business and

professional development and she is involved herself in many committees

and networks. She trains individuals and professionals on the benefit of

strategically developing their network and also on how to use psychology to

improve networking skills.

Clare is the Chair Elect for the Division of Work and Organisational Psychologists

(DWOP). Clare is a founder and committee member of the Connect Women in

Pensions Network, a committee member of Women in Banking and Finance

Ireland (WIBFI) Network and a committee member of Network Dublin. Clare

is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Professional Development

(CIPD), the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), and the Women’s Executive

Network (WXN)

Support and advice organisations for small business will be

exhibiting on Thursday, 22nd October, with personnel available

to give advice & deal with your queries.

Exhibitors include:

∫ Microfinance Ireland

∫ Health & Safety Authority

∫ National Employment Rights Authority (NERA)

∫ Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE)

∫ The Patents Office

∫ Dept of Social Protection (Intreo)

∫ Udaras na Gaeltachta

∫ Executive Skillnets Galway

∫ Galway Chamber of Commerce

∫ The pensions Authority

∫ Enterprise Ireland

∫ Local Enterprise Offices

Wednesday 17:00 Thursday 9:00 – 15:00

www.nwed.ie

Emma BoylanOwner of Outside the Box, MD of Smart Focus and JCI Ireland Director of Communications comes from an educational background in Psychology, Public Relations and Marketing. Emma also has a Diploma in Health Studies, Digital Marketing and Certificate in Social Media. Emma worked with the Chamber of Commerce in Letterkenny before starting her own business; Outside the Box in 2013. In 2015 Emma went into partnership and started a new company ‘Smart Focus’. Since then, Emma has worked with a variety of companies improving their businesses. Emma is an avid networker. She is a member of Business Network International (BNI). She is a mentor in BNI StrongHold Donegal and BNI Ambassador for BNI Inish Donegal and BNI Silgo helping hundreds of businesses make more money. Emma has a passion for thinking ‘Outside the Box’ and enthusiasm to take it all the way. Her background, vast experience and determination to succeed collectively ensure she will deliver results.

Shruthi ChindalurAs Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa Sales Development in Linked In, Shruthi knows a thing or two about how to communicate effectively with customers. A strong advocate of coaching, personal and leadership development, Shruthi has been fortunate to be an integral part of some inspiring career transformation stories. She has proactively taken on roles and responsibilities that are new, disruptive, complex, diverse, challenging and require thought leadership and strategic thinking. She has built, scaled and stabilized several business development and sales teams across the years for EMEA and North American markets, while leading them to growth and having these teams help thousands of customers choose the right solutions for their business needs. Shruthi currently leads a team of talented Sales Development Specialists that are primarily focused on new business acquisition for Linked In Corporate solutions in a high octane, work-hard play-hard environment.

Above all else, she believes in the possibility of achieving the extraordinary.

Martha FraserMartha Fraser specialises in helping people build their business online and create online programs. Combining her coaching skills, online expertise and strategic planning Martha works with people who want to increase their income and improve their lifestyle work balance, by earningmore online and helping many along the way. Martha is a coach and mentor to top coaches, groups and 1:1 clients.

Martha has combined her 16 years of IT and Online skills with her qualification in nutritional therapy to create several online programs. It has been this practical learning and real world application of online tools and marketing which provides Martha with that USP as a mentor, everything she teaches she has done, applied, failed and succeeded with, you will only get real life mentoring that is not out of a book but that comes from having an online business. You will learn what really works in the real world.

Síle is the youngest of four children and grew up in the village of Spiddal in Connemara on the west coast of Ireland.

She is fluent in Irish and has spent the past 17 years working in the media industry, primarily as a Television and Radio broadcaster.

Presenting and researching TV projects across all TV stations in Ireland (RTÉ, TV3 and TG4) from Entertainment, Daytime, Lifestyle, Factual, Young Peoples, Sports, Comedy, Weather and News and Current Affairs programming.

In December 2014 she recorded the lead vocal on a song called “Maybe This Christmas” to raise money for two very worthy Irish charities; it was a top 10 hit for 3 consecutive weeks in the Irish charts.

And this year she also made her acting debut in smash hit comedy musical ‘I Keano’ as the character “Surfia” in the Olympia Theatre receiving rave reviews during it’s extended run.

She is currently studying yoga and meditation and is proud to be an Ambassador for Make-A-Wish Ireland.

Conference FacilitatorSíle Seoige

Highly respected entrepreneur Deirdre Bounds is a TV presenter, business mentor and author. Proclaimed by the Telegraph as having “the Northern grit and determination that represents the perfect role model for business”, this former comedienne, world backpacker, English teacher, outback bus driver, media pundit, author of ‘Fulfilled, A Personal Revolution in Seven Steps’ and mum of two is a down to earth visionary who set up the ethical travel company i-to-i.com.

From bedsit to big time; from standing start to leading light; from ‘can do’ to ‘already done’, Deirdre is a runaway success and what makes her story truly remarkable is that she’s an entrepreneur in the purest sense. She had no commercial experience, no family history of enterprise and no money; just a great idea, a pile of passion and a sense of humour! She has lived a life that shows astonishing triumph over adversity and that dreams really can come true. She never fails to enthuse and inspire with the infectious secret of her business and personal success

Keynote SpeakerDeirdre Bounds

Oonagh O’ Hagan is the owner and Managing Director of the Meagher’s Pharmacy Group in Dublin. Oonagh qualified as a pharmacist in 1996 from Trinity College Dublin after which she worked as intern for one year for Pierce Meagher on Baggot Street. Oonagh could immediately see the potential in this pharmacy and dreamt of one day owning it. Four years later that dream came true. Oonagh retained the Meagher’s name above the door and maintained the family values but has expanded to now six pharmacies and a thriving online store.

Meagher’s’ pharmacy group currently employs over 60 people and provides prescription, healthcare and beauty services to a diverse customer base in Dublin and beyond.

Oonagh has been actively involved with Ireland’s largest Retail representative body - Retail Excellence Ireland for over 8 years. REI supports its 11,000 members with key learning activities, market intelligence, and a wide variety of services such as HR. It also acts as representative body with Government bodies on a wide variety of issues. Oonagh has been a board member for four years and is chairperson of Retail Excellence Ireland for 2014/2015.

Within REI Oonagh also founded Women in Retail, which is a woman’s network of female directors and senior managers working to achieve common goals within the retail sector. WIR acts as a platform to inspire, support and provide learnings to women to allow them to progress to the most senior positions within their organisations.

Oonagh also sits on the Preliminary Proceedings Committee in the Pharmaceutical Society ofIreland the pharmacy regulator in Ireland. The PPC’s role is to decide on the appropriate action steps be taken against pharmacists or pharmacies to whom a complaint has been made against and refer onto the appropriate committee.

Oonagh also sits on the wholesale advisory board of United Drug Group PLC to help steer the direction of UDG with their work here in Ireland and to advise on the implementation of their strategy and how it might affect pharmacies and other stakeholders.

Recently Oonagh has been appointed as an external member to the Finance committee of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to help advise on business matters and act as a sounding board on financial matters to the college.

Keynote SpeakerOonagh O’ Hagan

EVENT PROGRAMME

Wednesday 21st October

14.00 – 17.00 Free Mentor Sessions available – please register upon arrival

13.00 Arrival, Conference & Mentor Registration, Tea/Coffee

14.00 Marketing and PR - Communicating with your Customers

16.00 Tea/Coffee and Informal Networking, Hotel check in

17.00 Formal Networking event with Clare Mulligan Consulting

19.00 Supper and Informal Networking

Guest Speaker. Registered delegates can enjoy both formal and informal networking with

a light buffet meal and refreshments which is included in delegate fee.

Thursday 22nd October

10.30 – 12.00 Free Mentor Sessions available – please register upon arrival

13.30 – 15.00

Exhibition throughout the day, close of exhibition at 3.00 p.m.

8.00 Registration, Tea/Coffee, Informal Networking

9.00 Welcome by Breda Fox, Head of LEO, Galway

9.10 Introduction by Conference Facilitator Síle Seoige

9.15 Keynote Speaker: Deirdre Bounds, i-to-i.com, Entrepreneur, TV Presenter, Business mentor and author

10:15 Coffee Break and Informal Networking

11.00 Expert Panel Discussion - Presentations, Panel Discussion Q&A

12.30 Lunch and Informal Networking

13.45 Case Studies x 4 – DVD and Panel Discussion Q & A

15.00 Keynote Speaker: Oonagh O’Hagan, Meaghers Pharmacy

16.00 Conference Close

Communicating with your customers

Formal Networking Event

Enterprise Exhibition

Wednesday 14:00

Strategic Networking – this workshop will outline

how to strategically set your networking goals in line

with your career and business goals.

Clare will also cover some key psychological insights

for developing networking skills and networking

confidence.

Clare Mulligan is a Work and Organisational Psychologist with her own

consultancy practice. Clare worked previously for over 20 years in senior roles

within the Financial Services sector and now mixes her business experience

and psychological theory to understand the challenges of organisations and

help develop optimal solutions.

Clare believes strongly in the benefit of networking for business and

professional development and she is involved herself in many committees

and networks. She trains individuals and professionals on the benefit of

strategically developing their network and also on how to use psychology to

improve networking skills.

Clare is the Chair Elect for the Division of Work and Organisational Psychologists

(DWOP). Clare is a founder and committee member of the Connect Women in

Pensions Network, a committee member of Women in Banking and Finance

Ireland (WIBFI) Network and a committee member of Network Dublin. Clare

is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Professional Development

(CIPD), the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), and the Women’s Executive

Network (WXN)

Support and advice organisations for small business will be

exhibiting on Thursday, 22nd October, with personnel available

to give advice & deal with your queries.

Exhibitors include:

∫ Microfinance Ireland

∫ Health & Safety Authority

∫ National Employment Rights Authority (NERA)

∫ Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE)

∫ The Patents Office

∫ Dept of Social Protection (Intreo)

∫ Udaras na Gaeltachta

∫ Executive Skillnets Galway

∫ Galway Chamber of Commerce

∫ The pensions Authority

∫ Enterprise Ireland

∫ Local Enterprise Offices

Wednesday 17:00 Thursday 9:00 – 15:00

www.nwed.ie

Emma BoylanOwner of Outside the Box, MD of Smart Focus and JCI Ireland Director of Communications comes from an educational background in Psychology, Public Relations and Marketing. Emma also has a Diploma in Health Studies, Digital Marketing and Certificate in Social Media. Emma worked with the Chamber of Commerce in Letterkenny before starting her own business; Outside the Box in 2013. In 2015 Emma went into partnership and started a new company ‘Smart Focus’. Since then, Emma has worked with a variety of companies improving their businesses. Emma is an avid networker. She is a member of Business Network International (BNI). She is a mentor in BNI StrongHold Donegal and BNI Ambassador for BNI Inish Donegal and BNI Silgo helping hundreds of businesses make more money. Emma has a passion for thinking ‘Outside the Box’ and enthusiasm to take it all the way. Her background, vast experience and determination to succeed collectively ensure she will deliver results.

Shruthi ChindalurAs Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa Sales Development in Linked In, Shruthi knows a thing or two about how to communicate effectively with customers. A strong advocate of coaching, personal and leadership development, Shruthi has been fortunate to be an integral part of some inspiring career transformation stories. She has proactively taken on roles and responsibilities that are new, disruptive, complex, diverse, challenging and require thought leadership and strategic thinking. She has built, scaled and stabilized several business development and sales teams across the years for EMEA and North American markets, while leading them to growth and having these teams help thousands of customers choose the right solutions for their business needs. Shruthi currently leads a team of talented Sales Development Specialists that are primarily focused on new business acquisition for Linked In Corporate solutions in a high octane, work-hard play-hard environment.

Above all else, she believes in the possibility of achieving the extraordinary.

Martha FraserMartha Fraser specialises in helping people build their business online and create online programs. Combining her coaching skills, online expertise and strategic planning Martha works with people who want to increase their income and improve their lifestyle work balance, by earningmore online and helping many along the way. Martha is a coach and mentor to top coaches, groups and 1:1 clients.

Martha has combined her 16 years of IT and Online skills with her qualification in nutritional therapy to create several online programs. It has been this practical learning and real world application of online tools and marketing which provides Martha with that USP as a mentor, everything she teaches she has done, applied, failed and succeeded with, you will only get real life mentoring that is not out of a book but that comes from having an online business. You will learn what really works in the real world.

Síle is the youngest of four children and grew up in the village of Spiddal in Connemara on the west coast of Ireland.

She is fluent in Irish and has spent the past 17 years working in the media industry, primarily as a Television and Radio broadcaster.

Presenting and researching TV projects across all TV stations in Ireland (RTÉ, TV3 and TG4) from Entertainment, Daytime, Lifestyle, Factual, Young Peoples, Sports, Comedy, Weather and News and Current Affairs programming.

In December 2014 she recorded the lead vocal on a song called “Maybe This Christmas” to raise money for two very worthy Irish charities; it was a top 10 hit for 3 consecutive weeks in the Irish charts.

And this year she also made her acting debut in smash hit comedy musical ‘I Keano’ as the character “Surfia” in the Olympia Theatre receiving rave reviews during it’s extended run.

She is currently studying yoga and meditation and is proud to be an Ambassador for Make-A-Wish Ireland.

Conference FacilitatorSíle Seoige

Highly respected entrepreneur Deirdre Bounds is a TV presenter, business mentor and author. Proclaimed by the Telegraph as having “the Northern grit and determination that represents the perfect role model for business”, this former comedienne, world backpacker, English teacher, outback bus driver, media pundit, author of ‘Fulfilled, A Personal Revolution in Seven Steps’ and mum of two is a down to earth visionary who set up the ethical travel company i-to-i.com.

From bedsit to big time; from standing start to leading light; from ‘can do’ to ‘already done’, Deirdre is a runaway success and what makes her story truly remarkable is that she’s an entrepreneur in the purest sense. She had no commercial experience, no family history of enterprise and no money; just a great idea, a pile of passion and a sense of humour! She has lived a life that shows astonishing triumph over adversity and that dreams really can come true. She never fails to enthuse and inspire with the infectious secret of her business and personal success

Keynote SpeakerDeirdre Bounds

Oonagh O’ Hagan is the owner and Managing Director of the Meagher’s Pharmacy Group in Dublin. Oonagh qualified as a pharmacist in 1996 from Trinity College Dublin after which she worked as intern for one year for Pierce Meagher on Baggot Street. Oonagh could immediately see the potential in this pharmacy and dreamt of one day owning it. Four years later that dream came true. Oonagh retained the Meagher’s name above the door and maintained the family values but has expanded to now six pharmacies and a thriving online store.

Meagher’s’ pharmacy group currently employs over 60 people and provides prescription, healthcare and beauty services to a diverse customer base in Dublin and beyond.

Oonagh has been actively involved with Ireland’s largest Retail representative body - Retail Excellence Ireland for over 8 years. REI supports its 11,000 members with key learning activities, market intelligence, and a wide variety of services such as HR. It also acts as representative body with Government bodies on a wide variety of issues. Oonagh has been a board member for four years and is chairperson of Retail Excellence Ireland for 2014/2015.

Within REI Oonagh also founded Women in Retail, which is a woman’s network of female directors and senior managers working to achieve common goals within the retail sector. WIR acts as a platform to inspire, support and provide learnings to women to allow them to progress to the most senior positions within their organisations.

Oonagh also sits on the Preliminary Proceedings Committee in the Pharmaceutical Society ofIreland the pharmacy regulator in Ireland. The PPC’s role is to decide on the appropriate action steps be taken against pharmacists or pharmacies to whom a complaint has been made against and refer onto the appropriate committee.

Oonagh also sits on the wholesale advisory board of United Drug Group PLC to help steer the direction of UDG with their work here in Ireland and to advise on the implementation of their strategy and how it might affect pharmacies and other stakeholders.

Recently Oonagh has been appointed as an external member to the Finance committee of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to help advise on business matters and act as a sounding board on financial matters to the college.

Keynote SpeakerOonagh O’ Hagan

EVENT PROGRAMME

Wednesday 21st October

14.00 – 17.00 Free Mentor Sessions available – please register upon arrival

13.00 Arrival, Conference & Mentor Registration, Tea/Coffee

14.00 Marketing and PR - Communicating with your Customers

16.00 Tea/Coffee and Informal Networking, Hotel check in

17.00 Formal Networking event with Clare Mulligan Consulting

19.00 Supper and Informal Networking

Guest Speaker. Registered delegates can enjoy both formal and informal networking with

a light buffet meal and refreshments which is included in delegate fee.

Thursday 22nd October

10.30 – 12.00 Free Mentor Sessions available – please register upon arrival

13.30 – 15.00

Exhibition throughout the day, close of exhibition at 3.00 p.m.

8.00 Registration, Tea/Coffee, Informal Networking

9.00 Welcome by Breda Fox, Head of LEO, Galway

9.10 Introduction by Conference Facilitator Síle Seoige

9.15 Keynote Speaker: Deirdre Bounds, i-to-i.com, Entrepreneur, TV Presenter, Business mentor and author

10:15 Coffee Break and Informal Networking

11.00 Expert Panel Discussion - Presentations, Panel Discussion Q&A

12.30 Lunch and Informal Networking

13.45 Case Studies x 4 – DVD and Panel Discussion Q & A

15.00 Keynote Speaker: Oonagh O’Hagan, Meaghers Pharmacy

16.00 Conference Close

Communicating with your customers

Formal Networking Event

Enterprise Exhibition

Wednesday 14:00

Strategic Networking – this workshop will outline

how to strategically set your networking goals in line

with your career and business goals.

Clare will also cover some key psychological insights

for developing networking skills and networking

confidence.

Clare Mulligan is a Work and Organisational Psychologist with her own

consultancy practice. Clare worked previously for over 20 years in senior roles

within the Financial Services sector and now mixes her business experience

and psychological theory to understand the challenges of organisations and

help develop optimal solutions.

Clare believes strongly in the benefit of networking for business and

professional development and she is involved herself in many committees

and networks. She trains individuals and professionals on the benefit of

strategically developing their network and also on how to use psychology to

improve networking skills.

Clare is the Chair Elect for the Division of Work and Organisational Psychologists

(DWOP). Clare is a founder and committee member of the Connect Women in

Pensions Network, a committee member of Women in Banking and Finance

Ireland (WIBFI) Network and a committee member of Network Dublin. Clare

is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Professional Development

(CIPD), the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), and the Women’s Executive

Network (WXN)

Support and advice organisations for small business will be

exhibiting on Thursday, 22nd October, with personnel available

to give advice & deal with your queries.

Exhibitors include:

∫ Microfinance Ireland

∫ Health & Safety Authority

∫ National Employment Rights Authority (NERA)

∫ Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE)

∫ The Patents Office

∫ Dept of Social Protection (Intreo)

∫ Udaras na Gaeltachta

∫ Executive Skillnets Galway

∫ Galway Chamber of Commerce

∫ The pensions Authority

∫ Enterprise Ireland

∫ Local Enterprise Offices

Wednesday 17:00 Thursday 9:00 – 15:00

www.nwed.ie

Emma BoylanOwner of Outside the Box, MD of Smart Focus and JCI Ireland Director of Communications comes from an educational background in Psychology, Public Relations and Marketing. Emma also has a Diploma in Health Studies, Digital Marketing and Certificate in Social Media. Emma worked with the Chamber of Commerce in Letterkenny before starting her own business; Outside the Box in 2013. In 2015 Emma went into partnership and started a new company ‘Smart Focus’. Since then, Emma has worked with a variety of companies improving their businesses. Emma is an avid networker. She is a member of Business Network International (BNI). She is a mentor in BNI StrongHold Donegal and BNI Ambassador for BNI Inish Donegal and BNI Silgo helping hundreds of businesses make more money. Emma has a passion for thinking ‘Outside the Box’ and enthusiasm to take it all the way. Her background, vast experience and determination to succeed collectively ensure she will deliver results.

Shruthi ChindalurAs Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa Sales Development in Linked In, Shruthi knows a thing or two about how to communicate effectively with customers. A strong advocate of coaching, personal and leadership development, Shruthi has been fortunate to be an integral part of some inspiring career transformation stories. She has proactively taken on roles and responsibilities that are new, disruptive, complex, diverse, challenging and require thought leadership and strategic thinking. She has built, scaled and stabilized several business development and sales teams across the years for EMEA and North American markets, while leading them to growth and having these teams help thousands of customers choose the right solutions for their business needs. Shruthi currently leads a team of talented Sales Development Specialists that are primarily focused on new business acquisition for Linked In Corporate solutions in a high octane, work-hard play-hard environment.

Above all else, she believes in the possibility of achieving the extraordinary.

Martha FraserMartha Fraser specialises in helping people build their business online and create online programs. Combining her coaching skills, online expertise and strategic planning Martha works with people who want to increase their income and improve their lifestyle work balance, by earningmore online and helping many along the way. Martha is a coach and mentor to top coaches, groups and 1:1 clients.

Martha has combined her 16 years of IT and Online skills with her qualification in nutritional therapy to create several online programs. It has been this practical learning and real world application of online tools and marketing which provides Martha with that USP as a mentor, everything she teaches she has done, applied, failed and succeeded with, you will only get real life mentoring that is not out of a book but that comes from having an online business. You will learn what really works in the real world.

National Women’sEnterprise Day

2015

www.traleep

rintin

g.co

m

The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway ∫ 21st - 22nd October 2015

#nwed/nwedireland

CREATING

BUILDING

CONNECTIONS

BUSINESS

BOOKING INFORMATION ∫ The National Women’s Enterprise Day delegate fee is €100.

∫ Delegate fee includes half day conference programme, supper and informal networking on Wednesday, 21st October and full day conference and lunch on Thursday, 22nd October.

∫ Free, confidential one to one mentoring sessions with experienced business mentors will be available on both Wednesday and Thursday. The sessions will be managed by appointment, so delegates will have to register for a one-to-one mentor session upon arrival at the conference.

∫ Overnight accommodation delegate rates apply. See hotel information below for further details.

∫ To Book and Pay for your place now, simply go to www.nwed.ie and click on the “Book Now” button. By clicking on this link you will be redirected to the secure online booking system Eventsforce at Enterprise Ireland.

∫ Please contact your Local Enterprise Office or Limerick Local Enterprise Office with any queries.

∫ Cancellation Policy: The full participation fee is due upon online registration. Cancellations received on or before Monday, 12th October 2015 will receive a full refund. Cancellations after 13th October 2015 will be liable for the full cost of the event.

HOTEL INFORMATION ∫ NWED 2015 will be held at The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway on Wednesday, 21st October and Thursday, 22nd October

2015.

∫ Please telephone the Galway Bay Hotel directly on 091 520520 and quote National Women’s Enterprise Day in order to book a room. Hotel room bookings for this event are by telephone only. The hotel is block booked for this event so rooms are not available through the hotel website.

∫ Conference room rates: Single Occupancy €75 B&B, Double Occupancy €59 B&B pps.

∫ The Galway Bay Hotel is ideally located just a 5 minute drive from Galway City in Salthill. It is situated along the coast road in Salthill over looking the Promenade.

∫ Parking is available at the hotel.

MENTOR SESSIONSFree, confidential one to one mentoring sessions with experienced business mentors will be available on both Wednesday and Thursday. Delegates who would like to discuss some aspect of their business, be that getting feedback on a new idea or getting input on a particular aspect of the business can avail of a mentor session.

The sessions will be managed by appointment, so delegates will have to register for a one-to-one mentor session upon arrival at the conference.

Mentors will be available in the following areas:

∫ Finance

∫ Sales & Marketing

∫ Business Start Up & Sustainability

∫ E-Business

∫ Food Enterprise

EXHIBITION INFORMATIONSupport and advice organisations for small business will be exhibiting until 3pm on Thursday 22nd October, with personnel available to give advice & deal with your queries.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING LOTS OF BUSINESS CARDS OR ANY RELEVANT MARKETING MATERIAL

Expert Panel

Case Studies: Telling It Like It Is Thursday, 13:45

Thursday, 11:00

EuropeanUnionEuropean Regional Development Fund

EuropeanUnionEuropean Regional Development Fund

www.nwed.ie

Ruth Monahan, Appassionata FlowersRuth Monahan is the owner and creative director of Appassionata Flowers, a company she started 10 years ago with her husband Ultan Devaney.

Together with her talented team of 12, Ruth has grown Appassionata into a recognised brand for beautifully crafted quality flowers with a concentration on design. With a busy shop and studio in Dublin city centre, Ruth prides herself on the Appassionata Flowers dynamism, efficiency and ability to make creative and inspired flowers to suit the smallest of personal requests to fulfilling the largest of huge scale events.

Ruth has just completed the latest cycle of Going for Growth and was shortlisted for the Image Creative Businesswoman of the Year in 2014.

Anne Cusack, Critical HealthcareDr. Anne Cusack, with a background in Science is Managing Director of Critical Healthcare, the company she co-founded in 2000. Critical Healthcare produces brands including MediQuilt, a range of disposable linen products; Duramedic, a medical equipment and consumable product range, and more recently, Medlogistix, a bespoke procurement SaaS.

In 2013, Critical Healthcare secured the contract for the first ever Fully Managed Web Based Solution for the supply of patient care consumables for the Irish National Ambulance Service/HSE with Medlogistix. This unique platform is aimed specifically at the healthcare market and offers a fully managed solution for the procurement, stock management and delivery of medical products across multiple locations.

They have since implemented Medlogistix across the three largest private ambulance operators in the UK and trials of MediQuilt are also ongoing with two NHS Ambulance Trusts.

Anne and her team of 18 people are delighted to have won a number of Awards including the SFA Innovation Award 2013 and the IMSTA (Irish Medical and Surgical Trade Association) Best Services Company award 2014 for Medlogistix.

Triona Mac GiollaRi, Aró Digital StrategyTriona co-founded Aró Digital Strategy with her business partner Alan Rowe in 1996. AróDigital Strategy is a leading digital agency providing bespoke website design, technology and dynamic marketing strategy to premium brands, predominately in the hospitality industry and a client list of leading luxury brands. Aró are committed to creating successful digital campaigns for their clients through partnership. They are at the cutting edge of the digital revolution with the experience and dedication to help grow their clients online market share. Prior to setting up Aro Digital Strategy Triona ran a City Centre Desktop Publishing agency Triskele Design in Galway. Triona is a mentor for Coder Dojo Galway, an organisation devoted to teaching students between the ages of 7 and 17 how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and explore technology in an informal and creative environment. Triona has a B.Comm from NUIG and a B. A. in Art & Design (GMIT).

Niamh O’Neill, Niamh O’Neill, Creative Director at Niamh O’NeillNiamh O’Neill graduated from NCAD, Dublin, in 2008 with first class honours. Having worked at some of the top international fashion houses in New York and Paris, Niamh O’Neill launched her eponymous womenswear label in Winter 2012. The following year she scooped the Irish Fashion Designer of the Year award at the prestigious Irish Fashion Innovation Awards. Niamh’s collections combine clean lines and contemporary cutting with luxurious fabrics, creating an instantly identifiable look of understated elegance. Niamh, who was a national finalist in ‘Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition, has big plans for the expansion of her label. These plans include the introduction of a capsule cashmere collection and international buyers are already taking note. Niamh O’Neill creates innovative, vibrant clothing for women, which gives them the confidence to shine. www.niamhoneill.com

Florrie Purcell, The SculleryThe Scullery is a truly home grown business that started from humble beginnings and has been expanding ever since. Florrie Purcell set up this artisan food venture in 2004 and was inspired to do so by her childhood experiences and associations with food in Nenagh Co.Tipperary. The economic climate also played a part, forcing her to rethink her business focus and strategy.

Bringing a contemporary twist to traditional recipes, The Scullery creates a delectable range of handmade Christmas Puddings, Relishes, BBQ Sauces, Pasta Sauces and Pickles. This multi-award winning range is handmade in small batches delivering a consistent, delicious fresh flavour and colour. The range is natural: Fat free, Gluten Free, preservative, colour and additive-free.

With twenty seven years experience working in the food industry she has gained a deep level of experience in all aspects of food production, standards, marketing, selling with exceptional experience and understanding about emerging market trends. www.thescullery.ie

Leigh Williams, Wicklow BreweryLeigh’s story began 12 years ago when her boyfriend, now husband, asked her would she be interested in setting up a restaurant on his family Holiday Park. She enthusiastically accepted his offer, quit her job and opened ‘The Snug’.

The business went from strength to strength and having extended into a derelict building next door they transformed into a high end restaurant that allowed them to upgrade their food offering and cater for special functions including weddings.

Last year was the ultimate dream when they added the Wicklow Brewery to their destination package. Having been asked by tourists for years for a local beer, in September 2014 they listened to the customers and opened the doors of the Wicklow Brewery. With Hooleys in the Brewery every Saturday and daily Brewery tours married with Beer infused food, the business has had a very successful first year. They are now supplying Beer to over 30 venues throughout Dublin & Wicklow. www.wicklowbrewery.ie

Claire Bannon, Avokado & Co.Claire Bannon dreamt up Avokado & Co. when she noticed a gap in the market for trendy yet nostalgic Irish products to suit today’s stylish market. She set out to create a brand new product to suit modern Irish culture at home and around the world. Avokado & Co. offer a full range of fun Irish sayings on stylish contemporary materials and designs that capture Irish expression & identity, which are creative, fun and quality home gifts.

With a passion for “Irishness” all products are put together in house, from design, illustrations, manufacturing & distribution. With the combination of modern technology & innovation along with top quality materials and presentation, her signs have charmed the hearts of many. With an almost immediate success Avokado & Co.’s signs started out at markets and are now on sale nationwide in large retail outlets & independent stores. It’s very successful online shop offers it’s own unique service of customised sayings shipping directly to their customers worldwide. www.avokadoandco.com

National Women’sEnterprise Day

2015

www.traleep

rintin

g.co

m

The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway ∫ 21st - 22nd October 2015

#nwed/nwedireland

CREATING

BUILDING

CONNECTIONS

BUSINESS

BOOKING INFORMATION ∫ The National Women’s Enterprise Day delegate fee is €100.

∫ Delegate fee includes half day conference programme, supper and informal networking on Wednesday, 21st October and full day conference and lunch on Thursday, 22nd October.

∫ Free, confidential one to one mentoring sessions with experienced business mentors will be available on both Wednesday and Thursday. The sessions will be managed by appointment, so delegates will have to register for a one-to-one mentor session upon arrival at the conference.

∫ Overnight accommodation delegate rates apply. See hotel information below for further details.

∫ To Book and Pay for your place now, simply go to www.nwed.ie and click on the “Book Now” button. By clicking on this link you will be redirected to the secure online booking system Eventsforce at Enterprise Ireland.

∫ Please contact your Local Enterprise Office or Limerick Local Enterprise Office with any queries.

∫ Cancellation Policy: The full participation fee is due upon online registration. Cancellations received on or before Monday, 12th October 2015 will receive a full refund. Cancellations after 13th October 2015 will be liable for the full cost of the event.

HOTEL INFORMATION ∫ NWED 2015 will be held at The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway on Wednesday, 21st October and Thursday, 22nd October

2015.

∫ Please telephone the Galway Bay Hotel directly on 091 520520 and quote National Women’s Enterprise Day in order to book a room. Hotel room bookings for this event are by telephone only. The hotel is block booked for this event so rooms are not available through the hotel website.

∫ Conference room rates: Single Occupancy €75 B&B, Double Occupancy €59 B&B pps.

∫ The Galway Bay Hotel is ideally located just a 5 minute drive from Galway City in Salthill. It is situated along the coast road in Salthill over looking the Promenade.

∫ Parking is available at the hotel.

MENTOR SESSIONSFree, confidential one to one mentoring sessions with experienced business mentors will be available on both Wednesday and Thursday. Delegates who would like to discuss some aspect of their business, be that getting feedback on a new idea or getting input on a particular aspect of the business can avail of a mentor session.

The sessions will be managed by appointment, so delegates will have to register for a one-to-one mentor session upon arrival at the conference.

Mentors will be available in the following areas:

∫ Finance

∫ Sales & Marketing

∫ Business Start Up & Sustainability

∫ E-Business

∫ Food Enterprise

EXHIBITION INFORMATIONSupport and advice organisations for small business will be exhibiting until 3pm on Thursday 22nd October, with personnel available to give advice & deal with your queries.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING LOTS OF BUSINESS CARDS OR ANY RELEVANT MARKETING MATERIAL

Expert Panel

Case Studies: Telling It Like It Is Thursday, 13:45

Thursday, 11:00

EuropeanUnionEuropean Regional Development Fund

EuropeanUnionEuropean Regional Development Fund

www.nwed.ie

Ruth Monahan, Appassionata FlowersRuth Monahan is the owner and creative director of Appassionata Flowers, a company she started 10 years ago with her husband Ultan Devaney.

Together with her talented team of 12, Ruth has grown Appassionata into a recognised brand for beautifully crafted quality flowers with a concentration on design. With a busy shop and studio in Dublin city centre, Ruth prides herself on the Appassionata Flowers dynamism, efficiency and ability to make creative and inspired flowers to suit the smallest of personal requests to fulfilling the largest of huge scale events.

Ruth has just completed the latest cycle of Going for Growth and was shortlisted for the Image Creative Businesswoman of the Year in 2014.

Anne Cusack, Critical HealthcareDr. Anne Cusack, with a background in Science is Managing Director of Critical Healthcare, the company she co-founded in 2000. Critical Healthcare produces brands including MediQuilt, a range of disposable linen products; Duramedic, a medical equipment and consumable product range, and more recently, Medlogistix, a bespoke procurement SaaS.

In 2013, Critical Healthcare secured the contract for the first ever Fully Managed Web Based Solution for the supply of patient care consumables for the Irish National Ambulance Service/HSE with Medlogistix. This unique platform is aimed specifically at the healthcare market and offers a fully managed solution for the procurement, stock management and delivery of medical products across multiple locations.

They have since implemented Medlogistix across the three largest private ambulance operators in the UK and trials of MediQuilt are also ongoing with two NHS Ambulance Trusts.

Anne and her team of 18 people are delighted to have won a number of Awards including the SFA Innovation Award 2013 and the IMSTA (Irish Medical and Surgical Trade Association) Best Services Company award 2014 for Medlogistix.

Triona Mac GiollaRi, Aró Digital StrategyTriona co-founded Aró Digital Strategy with her business partner Alan Rowe in 1996. AróDigital Strategy is a leading digital agency providing bespoke website design, technology and dynamic marketing strategy to premium brands, predominately in the hospitality industry and a client list of leading luxury brands. Aró are committed to creating successful digital campaigns for their clients through partnership. They are at the cutting edge of the digital revolution with the experience and dedication to help grow their clients online market share. Prior to setting up Aro Digital Strategy Triona ran a City Centre Desktop Publishing agency Triskele Design in Galway. Triona is a mentor for Coder Dojo Galway, an organisation devoted to teaching students between the ages of 7 and 17 how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and explore technology in an informal and creative environment. Triona has a B.Comm from NUIG and a B. A. in Art & Design (GMIT).

Niamh O’Neill, Niamh O’Neill, Creative Director at Niamh O’NeillNiamh O’Neill graduated from NCAD, Dublin, in 2008 with first class honours. Having worked at some of the top international fashion houses in New York and Paris, Niamh O’Neill launched her eponymous womenswear label in Winter 2012. The following year she scooped the Irish Fashion Designer of the Year award at the prestigious Irish Fashion Innovation Awards. Niamh’s collections combine clean lines and contemporary cutting with luxurious fabrics, creating an instantly identifiable look of understated elegance. Niamh, who was a national finalist in ‘Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition, has big plans for the expansion of her label. These plans include the introduction of a capsule cashmere collection and international buyers are already taking note. Niamh O’Neill creates innovative, vibrant clothing for women, which gives them the confidence to shine. www.niamhoneill.com

Florrie Purcell, The SculleryThe Scullery is a truly home grown business that started from humble beginnings and has been expanding ever since. Florrie Purcell set up this artisan food venture in 2004 and was inspired to do so by her childhood experiences and associations with food in Nenagh Co.Tipperary. The economic climate also played a part, forcing her to rethink her business focus and strategy.

Bringing a contemporary twist to traditional recipes, The Scullery creates a delectable range of handmade Christmas Puddings, Relishes, BBQ Sauces, Pasta Sauces and Pickles. This multi-award winning range is handmade in small batches delivering a consistent, delicious fresh flavour and colour. The range is natural: Fat free, Gluten Free, preservative, colour and additive-free.

With twenty seven years experience working in the food industry she has gained a deep level of experience in all aspects of food production, standards, marketing, selling with exceptional experience and understanding about emerging market trends. www.thescullery.ie

Leigh Williams, Wicklow BreweryLeigh’s story began 12 years ago when her boyfriend, now husband, asked her would she be interested in setting up a restaurant on his family Holiday Park. She enthusiastically accepted his offer, quit her job and opened ‘The Snug’.

The business went from strength to strength and having extended into a derelict building next door they transformed into a high end restaurant that allowed them to upgrade their food offering and cater for special functions including weddings.

Last year was the ultimate dream when they added the Wicklow Brewery to their destination package. Having been asked by tourists for years for a local beer, in September 2014 they listened to the customers and opened the doors of the Wicklow Brewery. With Hooleys in the Brewery every Saturday and daily Brewery tours married with Beer infused food, the business has had a very successful first year. They are now supplying Beer to over 30 venues throughout Dublin & Wicklow. www.wicklowbrewery.ie

Claire Bannon, Avokado & Co.Claire Bannon dreamt up Avokado & Co. when she noticed a gap in the market for trendy yet nostalgic Irish products to suit today’s stylish market. She set out to create a brand new product to suit modern Irish culture at home and around the world. Avokado & Co. offer a full range of fun Irish sayings on stylish contemporary materials and designs that capture Irish expression & identity, which are creative, fun and quality home gifts.

With a passion for “Irishness” all products are put together in house, from design, illustrations, manufacturing & distribution. With the combination of modern technology & innovation along with top quality materials and presentation, her signs have charmed the hearts of many. With an almost immediate success Avokado & Co.’s signs started out at markets and are now on sale nationwide in large retail outlets & independent stores. It’s very successful online shop offers it’s own unique service of customised sayings shipping directly to their customers worldwide. www.avokadoandco.com