A programme which helps women entrepreneurs expand their business is seeking applications for 60 funded places in 2015.
One of the 2014 participants was Mary B Walsh of North Wexford based Ire Wel Pallets Ltd.
The ‘Going for Growth’ programme is designed to support women who are serious about growing their businesses.
The majority of participants in this year’s programme increased their turnover by an average of 15 per cent, and an additional 88 jobs were created by participants, ten interns were engaged, while 645 existing jobs were strengthened.
The programme is funded by Enterprise Ireland and the Equality for Women Measure, and this year’s sponsor is KPMG. The Equality for Women Measure is financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department of Justice and Equality.
Mary B. Walsh, founder of Gorey based Ire Wel Pallets Ltd., the leading timber packaging supplier in the country, said the programme reignited her energies and ambitions to begin growing again, both personally and professionally.
‘Going for Growth is made up of the most extraordinary group of people who are so positive, encouraging and so hard working with extraordinary achievements to show for their enthusiasm and efforts made,’ she said.
Successful applicants need to demonstrate significant aspirations for growth and should be working full-time on the business. It is expected that the business will have been trading for at least two years. In exceptional cases, applications will be considered from those who have been trading for a shorter period.
The programme is free of charge to suitable applicants. They just have to cover their own expenses.
Female entrepreneurs interested can access information and register their interest at www.goingforgrowth.com . The closing date for the receipt of completed applications is Wednesday, December 10.
Excerpt taken from the Gorey Guardian