Spoils from National Women's Enterprise Day 2010

Sligo Women in business were inspired by National Women's Enterprise Day 2010.

If you couldn't be there - here are 5 stories of personal determination and action to inspire you at your desk. 5 female business owners putting Sahar Hashemi's principals to the test (http://www.anyonecandoit.co.uk/) Please let us know who and what you liked best?

Alison Ritchie - Polar Ice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y0AoW6N9aI
Ann-Marie Durkin - Shasta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOk7m6IoNYo
Jennifer Ryan - Ponaire Coffee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9980k_ZIjmc

Alison Boardman - Unique Voice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOzEaLdG5JY
Donna Daly Blyth - Donnas Dance Studio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lk2lKg9HIM

National Women's Enterprise Day - Nov 18th +19th 2010

Looking forward to another inspiring day at NWED. Representing the network and their businesses are:

Shona Heffernan, Sligo LEADER

Oonagh McCann, Celtic Croi, celtoicroi.blogspot.com

Sandra Balfe, Strandhill road, Sligo

Ann Campbell, SeaShore B+B, www.seashoreguests.com

Oonagh Monahan, Alpha Omega, SWIBN Facilitator www.alphaomega.ie

Amanda Scott, Change At Work, SWIBN Facilitator, www.changeatwork.ie

Martina Henry, KoKo Latte, Quayside centre, www.kokolatte.ie

Nollaig McKeogh, Atlantis Conversations

Susan Bourke, Bourke Property Management, www.bourkeproperty.ie

Sabine Walsh, Mediation www.swmediation.com

Money Matters - SWIBN event Tues 30th November

SWIBN meet Women Mean Business on October 26th

We are delighted to welcome Rosemary Delaney, editor and founder of the unique Irish magazine - Women Mean Business WMB http://www.womenmeanbusiness.com

Rosemary has been involved in publishing for almost two decades as Chairman of the Irish magazine association - PPA Ireland, Director and Executive Member plus magazine representitive on the Press Council Steering Committee.

“Research clearly indicates that women are rising to the higher echelons in Irish and international business. In addition, more women in Ireland are engaging in entrepreneurial activities. This is not surprising as, if we look to our neighbours across the Atlantic the signs are most encouraging. The entrepreneurial boom isn’t just a guy thing! In the last 12 years, the number of women-owned businesses has doubled. In fact, 48% of all privately held companies in the US are at least 50% owned by a woman or women. Encouraging figures indeed"

If you haven't caught one of our events recently, don't miss out on this FREE event from SWIBN.

Bonnie Horsman of New Way Solutions created an interactive evening for members

Bonnie encouraged us to think about how we can develop our businesses and make ourselves less dependent on depleting resources (oil etc). She highlighted policy coming down the tracks which will make this issue impossible to ignore. Large organisations are making considerable changes. If we are to continue to be their suppliers, we will be expected to meet their new targets which demands that we make changes too.

As consumers, the Shopping Tree exercise (see pic) helped raise awareness of just how far some of our own purchasing travels. The question it raises is, what is necessary and what isn't?

A cake bought in a local farmers market goes up the tree when you consider that you drive 2 miles to the market. What planning changes could mean the option of cycling the short distance?

Potatoes, locally produced, bought in a shop are packed in plastic which comes from where? At what cost?

Ask yourself this.

"What would reduce the ecological footprint of the whole buying process?"

Food for thought indeed.

Thanks Bonnie for your vision, positivity and importantly, your call to action.