Young companies sought for Women in Business course

TWELVE West Cork business women who successfully completed a unique ‘Women in Business’ programme funded by the Cork North & West Local Enterprise Office, will create 10 new jobs over the next year.

The four-month intensive programme, aimed at women who have been in business for at least a year, allowed participants to explore the possibilities of their businesses while finding the right work/life balance. 

The Local Enterprise Office’s contracted agents for the programme delivery were Jackie Gowran and Sheila Anne O’Leary of Business IQ. 

Participants were provided with the tools they need to grow and develop their commercial businesses, including market research, sales, social media, funding options, financial planning, book-keeping, website awareness and business development. 

Among the participants was Margaret Riordan of Drimoleague’s Bumblebee Flower Farm who said: ‘Before I attended the course I was a busy fool. I have learned so much, thanks  to the fantastic trainers and can now class myself as a successful business woman with a bright future. The most important lesson has been to have self belief and know my value in the business and my work.’

Janet Power of Kinsale Dental said she learned to apply rigorous thinking to business matters rather than reactive thinking. ‘Being a business owner can be lonely but this programme has shown me the importance of delegation, so I can be more productive at what only I can do in the business. The LEO is looking for participants for its next Women in Business programme in Kinsale, starting September/October. This is subject to demand and would suit female owners of small West Cork businesses, up and running for the last 1-2 years, (023-8834700).