Awards celebrate female founders of Cork businesses

THE 2023 Female Founder of the Year awards, hosted by The Club women’s network, will take place this month.

The black tie event will be held at The Maryborough House Hotel on November 23.

The awards are the brainchild of Sian Horn, who set up The Club, a network that’s designed to support female founders and teach them what they need to know to stay in business.

The aim of the awards is to celebrate women who are ruling the world and running their own business.

This year’s finalists in the various categories are:

BUSINESS OWNER

FINALISTS

Geraldine Emerson,

Nohoval Apple Wines and

Stonewell Cider

https://www.instagram.com/nohoval_wine/

Géraldine Emerson, née Javoy was born and bred in a vineyard in the Loire valley, France, so the process of vinification is second nature to her. As a result of this, coupled with the fact that she was one of the founders of Stonewell back in 2010, there was a certain inevitability that these experiences would blend into one.

Five years ago, she created the Tawny cider port which has a loyal following and garnered many awards at home and abroad.

As Géraldine discovered more of the apple varieties grown in Ireland and experimented with them, the temptation to push the envelope further became irresistible. The wines she now makes are a fusion of Irish apples and Gallic flair.

Donna O’Driscoll, Roots Kitchen

https://www.instagram.com/rootskitchen.catering.cork/

Roots Kitchen was set up in 2017 by Donna O’Driscoll to provide office workers with a high end healthy individual lunch service through an online ordering system.

From this, they expanded into Corporate Catering Services.

With their experience in working in some of Ireland’s best restaurants, they provide restaurant quality food straight to your office.

Ciara Dunne Ceola

Academy of Music

https://www.instagram.com/ceola.ie/

Ceola Academy of Music is a dynamic and inclusive music education academy dedicated to inspiring a life-long love of music in students of all ages and backgrounds.

With a diverse curriculum and a commitment to accessibility, they provide a nurturing environment for individuals to explore their musical potential.

Founded with a passion for music and a vision of making quality music education accessible to all, Ceola Academy of Music has evolved into a trusted and beloved music academy in the Sallins and Naas community.

Mireia Lopez, Discovery Playtime

https://www.instagram.com/discoveryplaytime/

Discovery Playtime was founded in 2017 by Mireia Lopez, a dedicated primary school teacher who brings a wealth of expertise to her role.

With a Masters degree in Psychology of Education and a certificate in Therapeutical Play Skills, she possesses a strong academic foundation that informs her teaching practices.

Discovery Playtime promotes the power of play and connection in childhood through their online toy shop with hundreds of high quality educational and sensory toys.

They also run summer camps, private parties, corporate events, play areas, educational workshops, teacher training programmes, parenting talks and share a lot of information about play and child development in their Rediscovering Childhood Podcast.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE CLUB

FINALISTS

Olwyn Hanley, Ol Over It Creative

https://www.instagram.com/oloveritcreative/

Olwyn serves as the Owner and Creative Director of Ol Over It Creative, a Brand studio specialises in the creation of authentic brands for ambitious businesses through strategic and intentional design.

Additionally, Olwyn offers ongoing Brand Consulting services to support businesses in their quest to make a significant impact, offering insights and helping to develop creative marketing strategies to enhance sales and foster continued brand expansion.

Her latest venture is Creative Business Coaching, driven by a mission to empower Designers and Creatives in building and expanding their businesses through enduring strategies and a focus on brand development.

Triona Gunning, Early Year Insights https://www.instagram.com/triona_earlyyearsinsights/

Early Years Insights aims to empower parents to be fearless in their own parenting. Triona provides information and guidance to parents, families, and various early years stakeholders on early years topics.

She delivers in-person workshops, live online workshops, and online training videos in order to support parents throughout the growth and development of their child’s early years of life.

Her aim is to teach parents how various methods and strategies can be introduced and used within their existing family structure and routine.

Pamela Walsh Monarch Business

Solutions

https://www.instagram.com/monarch.business.solutions/

Pamela is a commercial accountant with over 17 years’ experience that spans multiple industries from multinational to Small Business environments.

She specialises in business strategy, process improvement and project management. She is solution focused and works to maximise the potential of resources available within a business.

Lisa O’Carroll Lisa O’Carroll Coaching

https://www.instagram.com/lisaocarrollcoaching/

Lisa is a dedicated Life and Business Mindset Coach, leveraging extensive experience in the corporate financial services sector. In 2020, she launched her online coaching venture, a passion she had pursued alongside her full-time job for years. Recently, she made the shift to become a full-time entrepreneur in coaching. Lisa’s mission is to empower and steer busy, ambitious professionals toward unlocking their inner strengths and driving forces.

CREATIVE MARKETING FINALISTS

Tanya Ranalow, Retreat yourself

https://www.instagram.com/retreatyourselfirl/

Tanya said: “We host a variety of nature and wellness retreats which combine movement, nourishing food and mindfulness along with activities such as hiking, horse riding, SUP and biking. We bring our retreats to different beautiful locations and along with open advertised retreats, and also host private and corporate events.”

Áine McLoughlin, AML Property Services https://www.instagram.com/amlpropertycork/ Having several years’ experience working in the industry, Áine launched AML Property Services in April, 2020, providing bespoke and personalized solutions to property owners.

Áine is passionate about her business and passionate about property.

Pamela Kiely, TOAST Wedding Content https://www.instagram.com/toast_weddingcontent/ Pamela Kiely, founder of TOAST Wedding Content. With over six years of experience in the digital marketing and content creation space, Pamela creates content for businesses from a variety of industries, on a daily basis.

In 2021, she founded PK Marketing, a digital marketing agency that specialises in social media management, social ads and content creation. “Content creation is a huge passion of mine, from using it to promote my own businesses, helping clients reach new customers to capturing behind-the-scenes of shoot days and events,” she says.

“Adding content creation to your wedding day is not only a lovely way to capture so many beautiful, natural moments throughout the day but brings an extra element of fun, especially if you opt for a fun Reel/TikTok trend or transition.

“We capture the fun and candid content from your big day, shot naturally on our iPhones, that you can look at and use straight away (all content is delivered to you within 24-48 hours).

“These can be used either for social media or to look back and reminisce on. The day goes by so fast, so it’s so nice to be able to have these clips the next day to see all the small moments you may have missed.

Letitia Fealy, Lotus Optimisation https://www.instagram.com/lotusoptimisation Letitia Fealy, founder of Lotus Optimisation, is a dedicated digital strategist with a mission to empower healthcare providers with tailored digital solutions.

With almost a decade of industry experience, Letitia focuses on enhancing the online reach of healthcare professionals, enabling them to assist more patients effectively.

Her knowledge and expertise, coupled with her passion for elevating businesses, have positioned her as a trusted advisor in the field – from guiding businesses in leveraging the Trading Online Voucher to crafting bespoke marketing strategies for maximum impact.

With Lotus Optimisation, healthcare professionals find not just a service, but a partnership aimed at amplifying their impact and patient reach.

INSPIRING MEMBER FINALISTS Sarah McGarry Sarah McGarry https://www.instagram.com/sarahmcgarry.ie/ Sarah is a dedicated skincare therapist, educator, and trainer with an unwavering passion for instilling confidence in individuals through the beauty of healthy, radiant skin.

With a wealth of expertise, she specializes in addressing diverse skin concerns, including acne, pigmentation, rosacea, and other conditions.

Sarah’s approach is rooted in personalized, advanced skincare treatments and the meticulous tailoring of homecare routines, ensuring clients achieve their skincare aspirations.

In addition to her client-centric work, Sarah collaborates with various skincare brands, lending her expertise to develop and deliver comprehensive training programs.

Her commitment to helping people realise their skincare goals is evident in her tireless dedication to education and empowerment. Sarah’s mission is to not only transform skin but also to uplift spirits, promoting self-assurance and radiance in every individual.

Aisling Vaughan, Ayrie https://www.instagram.com/coach_ashyv/ Ayrie (eye-ree) comes from the Irish word meaning ‘to rise’. Aisling’s mission is to help women live a better quality of life through holistic health, lifestyle and mindset coaching. Ayrie takes a whole person-centric approach with the focus being on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of clients.

The mindset and personal development part of Ayrie helps women build better self-esteem and self-confidence while giving them clarity on their values and goals for the future around health, careers and business.

Their in-house psychotherapist empowers clients with good mental health practices such as stress management, coping skills and other cognitive therapies which prove essential in successful physical and mental transformation.

Community is one of the most powerful elements of Ayrie, with over 50 active members providing each other with meaningful connection and support. Members are scattered across the globe including Ireland, UK, Canada, USA, UAE and Australia.

Michelle Filan, Michelle Filan Coaching https://www.instagram.com/michellefilancoaching/ MF Coaching was created to support busy women on their health, fitness and well-being journey. Their goal is to inspire, motivate and empower the women in their online community to embrace who they are, exercise for fun, eat foods they enjoy, and strike a healthy balance within our modern day chaotic lifestyles.

Diane Higgins, Diane Higgins Design https://www.instagram.com/dianehigginsdesign/ Diane says: “I design things! I design logos, brands, website, products, packaging for products, self-published books, corporate stuff, digital content for your socials or website, animated videos, infographics, brochures, advertising campaigns, posters, award submissions or anything else you need.

“Just ask. I won’t stop designing until you are so happy with the design that you want to take down your kids’ photos from the good room and hang up my work!” NEWCOMER Gemma Kingston The Family Edit https: //www.instagram.com/thefamilyedit/ Gemma is Founder of The Family Edit, an Online Hub which showcases the top family friendly businesses in Ireland, from pregnancy through the primary school years. The Family Edit “shares a Curated Collection of Family Friendly and Family Approved Places to Stay, Play, Shop, Eat and Explore across all Towns and Villages in the 32 Counties of Ireland”.

Aine Roanyne The Monday Method https://www.instagram.com/themondaymethod_/ Áine is founder of The Monday Method and brings the Monday energy to your business! Having previously worked in buying and partnerships role, Áine provides comprehensive services, including project management, lead generation and podcast production to businesses globally. The Monday Method takes care of the tasks that business owners often postpone, ultimately empowering businesses to thrive and grow.

Jeannine Rey, Eight Collective https://www.instagram.com/eight8collective/ With a relentless passion for transforming small businesses, Jeannine is a dynamic force in the marketing world. As a visionary marketer, Jeannine champions the power of clear, long-term vision and creative marketing strategies.

Her impactful work has pushed businesses to new heights, expanding their reach and driving exceptional sales growth.

She believes that business isn’t just about short-term sales but also about laying the groundwork for lasting success and sustainability. But it’s not all about the numbers; it’s about being imaginative. Jeannine approaches marketing with a creative flair, understanding that in a crowded marketplace, standing out is essential.

Pamela Walsh Monarch Business Solutions https://www.instagram.com/monarch.business.solutions/ Pamela is also nominated in the Contribution to the Club Category, see left for more.

POSITiVE IMPACT Joanne Burke Nordic Fitness Ireland https://www.instagram.com/nordicfitnessireland/ Joanne Burke, a retired nurse with nearly 40 years of experience, is a Master Trainer and co-founder of Nordic Fitness Ireland.

Specialising in Nordic & rehabilitation walking, Joanne has developed the Adaptive Approach to Nordic Walking, a transformative method backed by scientific research.

After a diagnosis of arthritis in 2019, Joanne transitioned from marathon running to Nordic walking and has since become a leading authority in the field.

Her expertise extends to instructor training, as well as offering a range of courses suitable for all fitness levels. With a strong commitment to social responsibility, Joanne’s work has not only empowered individuals to improve their health but has also made a lasting impact on communities.

Kathy O’Dwyer, Career Training Internships https://www.instagram.com/careertraininginternships/ Kathy said: “My early work as a career and employment officer prepared me to found Career Training Internships in 2010. Since then, we have grown to become one of Ireland’s premier intern placement and training companies.

“We provide a boutique, personalised service which reflects the needs and preferences of our clients.

“We are rooted in the Cork community, as our work involves many families, businesses, and tourism-related organisations throughout the area. These relationships are enduring; many trainees describe the relationships with the community as the most rewarding part of their experience. I have continued to believe in staying involved in the day-to-day, operational success of the business.” Stef McSherry, Kinderama https://www.instagram.com/kinderama/ Stef McSherry trained at the Italia Conti Performing Arts School in London. She worked for many years in the world of performing arts and eventually radio, both in Ireland and the UK.

In 2004, Stef created a unique activity programme for younger children called Kinderama. It incorporates music, drama, dance, sport, gymnastics, ball skills, yoga and mindfulness using costumes, puppets, adventures and a lot of imaginative play.

Stef feels it is really important for children under six to be able to experience all kinds of activities without having to choose just one!

During the pandemic, all of Kinderama was filmed on green screen to make all of the classes really engaging for younger children. You can access the full online library at Kinderama.com or there are elements available for free on YouTube.com and on the Highbrow app.

Sandra Hayes Buckley, Rainbow Crescent https://www.instagram.com/rainbowcrescent/ Rainbow Crescent is an online store specialising in uplifting slogan clothing and other accessories with the aim of putting a smile on people’s faces.

The ethos of Rainbow Crescent is to promote positive mental health and out of this ethos, The Mind your Mind Podcast was born. Hosted by Rainbow Crescent founder, Sandra Hayes Buckley, The Mind your Mind Podcast delves deeper into what mental wellbeing means to different people and why minding their minds is so important to them.

You can find out more by visiting www.rainbowcrescent.ie and by following @rainbowcrescent and @mindyourmindpod on Instagram.

SOLO BUSINESS FINALISTS Edel Hayes, Accelerate Accounting https://www.instagram.com/accelerateaccounting/ Edel is a Chartered Accountant with 15 years of experience. She has worked in a variety of organisations from SMEs to multinationals. She founded Accelerate on the premise that to grow a business to its full potential, the dynamic between entrepreneur and accountant needs to change.

Openness, approachability and flexibility are key to this change.

Janice Byrne, Janice Byrne Goldsmith www.instagram.com/janicebyrnegoldsmith Janice said: “I offer a bespoke service for distinctive handmade, hand-finished precious jewellery. Welcoming all kinds of enquiries and commissions, I pride myself in working closely with my clients in a very relaxed, casual atmosphere.” Gemma Kingston, The Family Edit https://www.instagram.com/thefamilyedit/ Gemma Kingston is Founder of The Family Edit, an Online Hub which showcases the Top Family Friendly Businesses in Ireland, from Pregnancy through the Primary School Years.

“The Family Edit shares a Curated Collection of Family Friendly and Family Approved Places to Stay, Play, Shop, Eat and Explore across all Towns and Villages in the 32 Counties of Ireland,” she said.

Michelle Filan, Michelle Filan Coaching https://www.instagram.com/michellefilancoaching/ MF Coaching is also nominated in the Inspiring Members category, see above.

For more on The Club see https://theclubwomensnetwork.com/