Creating Cross Border Links for Female Entrepreneurs

The Enterprising Women’s Network (Armagh and Down) and Enterprise Europe Network (main sponsor) this week presented a special event to connect female entrepreneurs with Cross Border trade opportunities.
The event was organized by EWN, which is funded by Invest Northern Ireland, and attracted over 40 business women to the session entitled ‘Opening Doors’.  Guests heard case studies from female entrepreneurs Siobhan Reel of the DeliLites gourmet sandwich chain and Monica McGeary of IMM, a specialist sales generator provider working with clients across Ireland, Europe and the United States.
Kieran Mathers, Manager of the Tradelinks programme also spoke to attendees about the consultancy support available to micro enterprises to assist development of export opportunities.
DeliLites is a successful family owned business operated by the Reel sisters and now has seven outlets across Ireland, most recently adding a Belfast shop to their portfolio.
Speaking at the event Siobhan encouraged women to seize the opportunities for new business offered by our close proximity to border towns. “I never saw the border as an obstacle, just another opportunity,” Siobhan said as she announced that DeliLites has further expansion plans the Republic in the near future.
Monica’s experience in America as a software ‘lead generator’ inspired her to set up a business based on this unique concept when she returned to her home town of Dungannon five years ago. Dedication and hard work produced results for her when she persuaded software firms from Dublin, Cork, the UK and North America to give her a chance to prove she could deliver results. She now works across a range of sectors from her office based in Dungannon.
Feedback from the event was very positive and Network Coordinator Margaret Andrews said: “I’m delighted we’ve attracted a large audience to this event which was made possible through the support of Invest NI. Many of the attendees are encouraged by the case studies and advice offered by women in businesses already trading across the border. ”
The event was also supported by Niamh Shiells Advance Coaching and Karen Wiseman of Goal Focused Training
For more information see www.enterprising-women.net or contact Margaret Andrews, tel 028 3083 7575.