Enterprising women are still having issues of confidence

CHILDCARE is among the biggest barriers for women starting their own business according to local research. 

More than 70% of female business owners who are mothers find  that childcare costs are a major challenge, according to the findings based on a sample of 150 business women conducted by the Local Enterprise Offices in Cork and Kerry. 

The research was carried out ahead of an event for aspiring female entrepreneurs and female-led businesses across the region in the Inchydoney Lodge and Spa for National Women’s Enterprise Day on Thursday October 12th.

More than half feel that setting up a business as a woman is more challenging than it is for  a man with the main reason being that family duties still fall on the woman to manage on a day-to-day basis. Lack of confidence was also found to be one of the biggest issues facing women wanting to start or grow their small businesses. 

‘Open doors to new markets’ is the theme of the event on October 12th which over 200 people will attend and which will focus on how established and aspiring businesswomen can tap in to Ireland’s rapidly growing digital economy which represents €12.3bn (6%)of Ireland’s GDP. With Irish consumers spending €850,000 per hour online, 24 hours a day, attendees will learn from some of Ireland’s top female business leaders about building a better business while also learning to deal with and overcome everyday stresses.

Christine Heffernan, business adviser with the Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West said: ‘Traditionally it has been the mother to give up work and stay at home, and although this has shifted somewhat in recent years, the juggle of work and home still falls – in the main – on the woman. While we can’t change this, we can champion and support female business owners to empower young women and show them that although it might be tough, it can still be done.

Among the speakers will be Alina Uí Chaollaí, Largo Foods; Fiona Gratzer, Unislim; Lorraine Higgins, Retail Excellence; Sharon Corcoran, Cork County Council and Attracta Burke, author of The Formula – how to be your very best. 

Tickets can be booked from the Local Enterprise Offices website or through www.nwed.ie and further details are available from @NWED on Twitter and @NWEDIreland on Facebook.