I had the pleasure of taking part in a panel discussion hosted by Network Ireland Louth in collaboration with the Local Enterprise Office Louth, celebrating International Women’s Day as part of Enterprise Week.
It was a proud moment to share the stage with such inspiring women in business, each of us with a unique journey but plenty of common ground too. Thank you to Geraldine Johnston for putting us all so at ease on stage in front of an audience of eighty.
The event also featured an exceptional panel covering the supports and funding available to women at every stage of business, with speakers from Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Office Louth, Thrive4Women, Network Ireland Louth, and Awaken Angels/Awaken Hub. Whatever stage your business is at, there was a genuinely useful nugget of advice in that conversation for everyone in the room.
Photo – Jenny Callanan
Being on that stage wasn’t something I took lightly. I was aware I was representing not just myself, but Network Louth and Network Ireland more broadly, and I was conscious there were women in the audience that night still deciding whether networking, or starting a business at all, was for them. I chose to speak openly about the realities of running a business alone, the challenges as much as the wins, because I believe honest conversation is what actually helps people take that first step. Two women came up to me afterwards and told me that hearing me speak so candidly was what convinced them to join Network Ireland. They signed up the very next day.
The room was buzzing with energy and support all evening, a great reminder of just how strong our local Network Ireland Louth business community is.
Thank you to Network Ireland Louth and LEO Louth for the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic event.
