Empowering Female Entrepreneurs
Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Go Succeed Team has announced the success of a recent gathering celebrating International Women’s Day. The event, called ‘Empower Her: Transforming Experiences into Enterprises,’ brought together around 80 women at the Everglades Hotel on 7 March, recognising the achievements of local female entrepreneurs who have overcome personal challenges and transformed them into successful ventures.
The occasion aimed to inspire and encourage future growth among business-minded women in the region. Attendees heard from various speakers who shared compelling personal stories, highlighting resilience, innovation, and a spirit of collaboration.
Keynote Insights from Patricia Breslin
The keynote speaker was transformational speaker and counsellor Patricia Breslin, who spoke passionately about her own experiences and the importance of turning adversity into opportunity. A single mother of six, Patricia has personally overcome circumstances including domestic violence and addiction recovery. She introduced the “Who Am I?” programme, a 12-week journey designed to help individuals rediscover their identity and build resilience. Patricia explained how her personal insights now shape the support she offers to others facing trauma or life transitions.
Inspiring Panel Discussion
Following the keynote address, a panel discussion offered additional perspectives from local entrepreneurs. Panellists included:
- Roisin Henry – Owner of Soundness of Soul, a holistic therapy business focused on women’s wellbeing. She discussed her journey with complementary therapy, which helped her remain balanced during cancer treatment.
- Jenna McCusker – Founder of the fragrance brand House of Scents and host of the ‘Mental Health and Me’ podcast. Jenna shared how overcoming personal setbacks and significant physical challenges motivated her to create a platform aimed at empowering others.
- Staci Stewart – A busy mother of two who founded Mama Placenta Remedies. She highlighted her passion for holistic support as women transition into motherhood.
The discussion provided candid insight on transforming setbacks into driving forces for business growth, with panellists fielding questions from an engaged audience.
Support and Guidance
Throughout the day, advisors from the Council’s Go Succeed Team were on hand to offer practical support, including business development, networking opportunities, and guidance on expanding existing companies. The Council’s Business Development Manager, Danielle McNally, praised the enthusiasm in the room and thanked those who shared personal stories: “Your stories will have inspired many in attendance … there was something for each of us to take away and use in our own jobs and businesses.”
Programme Opportunities
Go Succeed (www.go-succeed.com) is funded by the UK Government and delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils to support entrepreneurs, new starts, and existing businesses. The programme offers personalised advice, mentoring, and access to grant funding at every stage of development.
Moving Forward
The event’s success underlined the power of shared experiences to motivate business growth and wellbeing within the local community. Businesses and individuals interested in learning more about the support available to start or expand their ventures can find further information at derrystrabane.com/business.