West Cork mums who are thinking about setting up a business or have a business idea are being invited to two Mumpreneur workshops which are being held in Clonakilty and Bantry on June 9th and 10th by the Local Enterprise Office, Cork North & West.
The half day workshops are aimed at mothers who would like to explore the possibilities of running their own business which would also allow them to strike a perfect balance between work and family commitments. Renowned mumpreneur trainer and business coach Mairead Kelly of Cute Honey will work with participants to address the main issues with setting up a business as a mum including time management, how to overcome obstacles and excuses which stop progress, planning future goals, and finding a niche.
Successful mumpreneur businesses in West Cork range from business management solutions to local gift cards and healthy food products, with this set to grow exponentially in the coming months and years due to a number of factors including high childcare costs and stay at home mums looking to return to work but on their own terms. There are over 64,500 self employed women in Ireland, over half of whom are creating employment and an even greater percentage of them being mothers (CSO figures 2014).
Speaking of the workshops, Christine Heffernan, Business Advisor, Local Enterprise Office, “Over the past number of months we have witnessed a big rise in the number of mothers coming to us looking for advice on setting up a business of their own, which spurred us to arrange these workshops. These women have the same concerns as any other entrepreneur, although with the added worry of making it all work while still running a household and being there for their families.
She continued, “Many mums who look to set up businesses are on maternity leave, and decide they want the flexibility of being their own boss and being at home more with their children. Also, with childcare costs so high, mothers question whether it will pay them to return to work so they look at other avenues. It is these factors which also give these women a huge will to not only succeed in their business but also to grow it which is what we hope to see from these workshops."
Also speaking of the workshops, trainer Mairead Kelly, Cute Honey said, “I am really looking forward to meeting entrepreneurial women in West Cork in June. Over the years I have mentored and seen numerous mumpreneur success stories but all too often I hear the same worries that stop these ladies from taking the plunge to kick start their business idea. The main reason for this is the notion that to have a successful business you must work all the hours God gave but this does not have to be the case in reality. It is all about finding something that you're passionate about, finding the niche and making it work for you and this is hugely rewarding. I look forward to helping business minded mums in West Cork take this step when I meet them."
The workshops which take place on June 9th in the Quality Hotel in Clonakilty and June 10th in The West Lodge Hotel, Bantry cost just €20 and can be booked online at https://www.localenterprise.ie/CorkNorthandWest/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/ or calling 023 88 34700
