A special event celebrating female entrepreneurs took place in the Everglades Hotel as part of this year’s International Women’s Day. Organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Go Succeed Team, the Empower Her: Transforming Experiences into Enterprises gathering welcomed around 80 women from across the district on 7 March. The day showcased how adversity can be transformed into business success.
An Engaging Programme of Inspiration
The event was hosted by MC Emer Maguire, who shared her journey from international science commentary to musical comedy. Keynote speaker Patricia Breslin, a single mother of six and a transformational speaker, offered insights from her own experiences of overcoming domestic violence, addiction recovery, and bulimia. She discussed her “Who Am I?” programme, which supports individuals as they work through trauma, find resilience, and create new opportunities.
Personal Journeys Shared
The programme continued with a panel featuring entrepreneurs Roisin Henry (Soundness of Soul), Jenna McCusker (House of Scents and the “Mental Health and Me” podcast), and Staci Stewart (Mama Placenta Remedies). They each spoke candidly about their personal challenges and how these difficulties propelled them to establish successful ventures.
Roisin highlighted how complementary therapy supported her own cancer recovery, saying, “Soundness of Soul was born out of my own journey with complementary therapy, which became a lifeline for staying balanced and grounded after my cancer diagnosis. It’s now my passion to offer others a safe and welcoming space where women can reconnect and nurture their emotional and mental wellbeing.”
Jenna explained her determination following divorce and serious spinal injury: “I am now the founder and the host of the ‘Mental Health and Me’ podcast. The concept is to give hope, empowerment, and inspiration to those going through their own pain.”
Practical Support for Entrepreneurs
Representatives from the Council’s Go Succeed team, including Carolann Doherty and Rachel Gallagher, were on hand throughout the day to provide advice on available support. They encouraged attendees to explore mentoring, networking, and grant funding opportunities to help them build—or expand—their own ventures.
A Day of Empowerment and Growth
Reflecting on the event, Danielle McNally, Business Development Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council, said: “It was amazing to have so many like-minded and passionate women all under one roof. There was a real buzz and energy in the room as the ladies shared their aspirations and ideas with each other. Thank you to everyone who came along and took part. Your stories will have inspired many in attendance.”
Go Succeed is funded by the UK Government and delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils. Entrepreneurs, new starts, and existing businesses can benefit from mentoring, training opportunities, and funding guidance. For further information about support programmes, visit derrystrabane.com/business.