Existing Business Award – Business Network Awards 2012
Network North Tipperary along with North Tipperary County Enterprise Board, honoured top women entrepreneurs at the Business Network Awards 2012.
Network North Tipperary is a branch of the nationwide Network Ireland, a progressive, dynamic organisation established in 1983, which “offers support, mentoring and confidence building for women, in particular those starting in business or returning to the workplace, supporting the professional and personal development of women.”
The North Tipperary County Enterprise Board provides a system of supports for SMEs and “aims to promote an enterprise culture that fully realises the economic potential of industry in Tipperary and to provide a comprehensive service in the areas of enterprise, education, training and development from concept through to implementation.”
Margaret Valette O’Connor was presented with the ‘Existing Business’ award by Martin Troy, Branch Manager of AIB Nenagh and along with Elaine Dorris, Co-owner of Lough Derg Chocolates and was presented with the ‘Emerging Business’ Award, won top awards at the event. Lough Derg Chocolates offers handmade and seasonal confectionaries such as truffles, bars and chocolate lollipops
An excerpt from Tipp Tatler Magazine says, “Our winning entrepreneurs clearly have a passion for food and for business and are both incredibly focused on achieving their company objectives,” said Fiona Connolly, the President of Network North Tipperary. “Although our two winners are at very different stages in the business life cycle, they both exhibit key entrepreneurial characteristics. According to the judging panel, both entrepreneurs were energetic, measured risk-takers and both had an understanding of how important their teams were to the success of the business.”
Last year’s winners were Anne Marie Walsh from The Tipperary Kitchen in the ‘Existing Business’ category and Louisa Condon from The Ant Team in the ‘Emerging Business’ category.
Runner ups were Margaret Ryan from Storm Web Management in the ‘Existing Business’ category and Camelia Shanahan from Meli Bondre in the ‘Emerging Business’ category.
Shortlisted nominees for “Emerging Business” were Una Ryan from Marketing Eye and Emma D’Arcy from Integral Marketing; and “Established Business” nominees were Georgina Kearney O’Dwyer and Helen O’ Dwyer from George Lang Hair Group and Joan McGowan from the Fairways Bar and Orchard Restaurant.
The Business Network Awards is on its second year in recognising and elevating inspirational women entrepreneurs in the county.