Enterprise is coming to the fore in the NW

That’s according to Londonderry-based Women in Enterprise and the Donegal Women in Business Network who recently hosted a #Womenbeyondborders breakfast conference to encourage local women to take the leap into self-employment.

Among the guests were Limavady’s Leona Kane, owner of Broighter Gold, Wexford’s Samantha Kelly, ‘Ireland’s Tweeting Goddess,’ and Kathy Donaghy, an award winning journalist, from Inishowen, who has worked for several national newspapers.

A spokesperson said: “Leona told her story about how she founded Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil after deciding to try the oil from the seed grown on her husband’s farm when she ran out of olive oil for cooking one evening. She spoke about how much easier it is to sell a product that you are passionate about, and it means so much to be able to sell a product that is grown, processed and marketed direct from your own farm.

“Leona’s company was recently awarded the Économusée (Artisans at Work) for NI through the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust. Leona was hugely inspirational and she is very much more than just a ‘farmer’s wife’. She is a mother, wife, business woman and a hugely inspirational role model.”

The organisers say the women succeeded in connecting, sharing and inspiring each other.

“They left feeling that they too can take their business or their business idea and know that networks like Women in Enterprise and Donegal Women in Business can help them.”