Testimonials for the EMPOWER GROWTH Programme
The EMPOWER programme brought a new perspective to me and my business. It was fantastic to be part of a group of like-minded female founders. It was somewhere for me to show up and express any concerns about my business or share my wins instead of doing it solo. During the programme we had a 33.3% increase in influencer sign ups, an increase of 80% in sales and our online presence grew by 50%.
Sinead Carroll | Irish Blogger Agency
GROWTH 2021/2022 Programme
The EMPOWER GROWTH programme was a fantastic opportunity for me as a female entrepreneur to connect with like-minded businesswomen. The programme also helped me focus on growing my business by implementing a clear strategy for growth.
Melissa Walsh | MW Design, Print & Signs Ltd.
GROWTH 2021/2022 Programme
As the youngest member of my group, I learnt so much from women who had been in business for 10 or 20+ years and who had life experience, and the realities of running a business and having a family. The programme made me more focused, and I achieved all my goals I had set out to do at the start of the programme.
Sandra Ganley | Jiving Juniors Dance School
GROWTH 2021/2022 Programme
The EMPOWER programme was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I learned so much about myself and my business. The support from Sandra and Declan and the women of the group was priceless to my business. Saved me both money and time to which I am forever grateful.
Gina O’Neill | TheGiftShop.ie
GROWTH 2021/2022 Programme
I found a community of like-minded women, who were passionate about their business. I found myself amongst women that really did want to make a difference and where money was rarely the motivating factor. When you are running a business, you often feel overwhelmed but when you spoke to the other Empower Women, you did not feel alone, and we shared solutions that we found worked for us to see if it helped the other. I have made friends for life.
Ellie Loftus | Nickeze
GROWTH 2021/2022 Programme
The Empower Programme is like having a support group, connecting you with women in the same boat as you, with the same challenges, with the same doubts and fears but with the same passion and drive as you, to do something great, to write your own story and to honour your talents. When we help each other, we all flourish and grow. We are stronger together.
Cepta Mahon | Cookalicious
GROWTH 2021/2022 Programme
I found the course to be great for networking. A fantastic opportunity to bounce ideas off other members and to get ideas, feedback, and advice. A great sense of camaraderie.
Lynsey de Burca | Lynsey de Burca Jewellary
GROWTH 2021/2022 Programme
Empower provided a network of supportive knowledgeable women and tutors who were able to help navigate businesses through the most difficult of Covid times. The connection between these women really spurred each other on. As a new business, it was reassuring to hear similar issues and concerns from those in much more established businesses, and as a group help resolve those issues.
Edel McWeeney Moran | EZxploring
GROWTH 2021/2022 Programme
Brilliant. It got me through Covid19 which was a very difficult time. Declan and Sandra were brilliant in getting me to dive into my business and customers. I never ‘had the time’ but this is critical to understanding your business and seeking new opportunities.
Aisling Kelly Hunter | WB’s Coffee House and Sligo Oyster Experience
GROWTH 2021/2022 Programme
The Empower programme allowed me to develop my mindset as a company founder – giving me the confidence to move from academic researcher and a coach for individual clients to recognising my new position as a female founder and all that it entails. The friendships made amongst my fellow founders is what gave me a safe space to explore the challenges of this new role and having their support within and between sessions has been invaluable.
Janine van Someren | The Wellbeing Advantage
GROWTH 2021/2022 Programme
The reason why I applied for EMPOWER Her was I feel that being an entrepreneur especially a woman in business, can be quiet a lonely experience and what I’ve learned from the programme is having a network or a tribe of women behind you to discuss, chat or just have somebody to bounce ideas off is priceless. So would I recommend the EMPOWER her programme, 100%. It has been such an amazing, motivating, inspiring and empowering programme to be part of and I would highly recommend it.
Charlene Flanagan | Ella & Jo Cosmetics
GROWTH 2020/2021 Programme
The EMPOWER programme helped me clarify my vision for growth and mapped the road towards achieving it. I am now getting ready to launch a new online PR service from my website InisCommunications.com It’s a big innovation and it offers a great new way for small businesses to secure affordable, quality PR services. The support of the EMPOWER mentors, participants and webinars played an essential role in helping get me to this stage. EMPOWER gives you the focus, the tools and the confidence to grow. I highly recommend it.
Trish Hegarty | Inis Communications
GROWTH 2020/2021 Programme
I applied for EMPOWER GROWTH because I wanted to connect with likeminded women. Being a solo businesswoman is a lonely journey. I also wanted to understand how I could push my business idea. It’s been a wonderful journey on EMPOWER GROWTH. I’ve connected with some incredible women, I’ve met some new mentors and I’m growing my business. I would highly recommend applying for EMPOWER GROWTH if you, like me want to further your career and your journey.
Melissa Moore | The Retail Advisor
GROWTH 2020/2021 Programme
I decided to join the EMPOWER programme to get assistance in streamlining our business, to introduce policies and procedures to increase efficiencies. Personally I’ve never been as efficient than in my time with the EMPOWER programme and that’s down to two aspects. One being the accountability aspect but also the supportive network involved in the programme from like minded business women from an array of different backgrounds. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the EMPOWER programme and I highly recommend it for anyone considering it in the future.
Ann Butler | Higgins Pharmacy Sligo
GROWTH 2020/2021 Programme
I applied for the EMPOWER GROWTH programme, ultimately so I could get access to resources that would support me in growing my business but also peer support which has been hugely valuable to me as I now have almost like my own board of directors where I can get advice on my business and the feedback that I get has always been very, very valuable. I would highly recommend the EMPOWER GROWTH programme to anybody who is looking to grow and scale your business.
Asumpta Gallagher | Best Practice
GROWTH 2020/2021 Programme
Empower Growth 2020 helped me expand my business virtually which allowed me to open up to a global market with confidence.
Carly Hillier | White Thorn Equine Health
GROWTH 2020/2021 Programme
I applied to EMPOWER when I saw the journey of designing, producing and marketing a new brand is a daunting task. EMPOWER GROWTH is 14 business women across six counties, led and mentored by Sandra Divilly Nolan and her GMIT team. We come together, we advise, we listen, we support each other. I cannot express the value of this programme. The pool of experience and diversity to draw from. Apply to EMPOWER GROWTH, it has enriched every step of my journey in creating Rita Oates Artist as a brand.
Rita Oates | Rita Oates Artist
GROWTH 2020/2021 Programme
For myself personally, I feel it by far exceed my expectations. I never expected the level of support and encouragement that I did get and still am getting and I know I will get in the future as well from the group and from the mentors. The level of support and help along the way has been exceptional. It’s being managed by a great panel of people. There’s great guest speakers and mentors. It’s an amazing programme. We all went into this in Covid, we ran the programme remotely so its a real testament that we’re all out at the end of it. We still all have our businesses and I think its been an amazing support throughout Covid let alone in general in self-employment. I would highly recommend this programme.
Collette Mc Gowan | Kollabro
GROWTH 2020/2021 Programme
I applied for the EMPOWER programme because I was looking for a support system to be with me during my lonely entrepreneurial journey and I did find that. I also came across a bunch of people that really cared about me, cared about my business and helped me not just to grow my business but also personally speaking by giving me a new set of knowledge and skills that I didn’t have before.
Evy Perez Alvarado | Lipuo.com
GROWTH 2020/2021 Programme
I found the EMPOWER GROWTH Programme to be a fantastic experience. Goal setting at each monthly meeting helped me to focus and made me accountable for my own progress. Speakers were interesting, relevant and inspiring and Maria, our co-ordinator, could not have been more helpful, creating connections for me to relevant people and businesses. It was also great to be in a group of like-minded ladies who were a source of inspiration, wisdom, encouragement and fun. Thanks Maria, Declan and all the ladies on EMPOWER GROWTH 2017/2018.
Niamh Ryan | HomeCheck
GROWTH 2017/2018
