Cork women among finalists in The Female Founder awards

The 2024 Female Founder Awards, hosted by The Club Women’s Network, will take place on Friday, November 15 in The Maryborough House Hotel. The black-tie event promises to be a night filled with glamour, celebration, and female empowerment.

The Club Women’s Network, who earlier this year celebrated their new classification as a Social Enterprise, is a network that has been built with the aim of supporting female founders through learning and networking to equip them with the tools needed to build a business and stay in business.

For more information about The Club Women’s Network, or to purchase tickets to this year’s Female Founder Awards, visit www.theclubwomensnetwork.com

This year’s finalists for the Female Founder Awards are:

SOLOPRENEUR

FINALISTS

Áine McLoughlin – AML Property Services

Founded in 2020 by Aine McLoughlin, AML Property Services is an Independent Cork-based estate agency specialising in property rentals, residential sales, and valuations. Aine is dedicated to delivering personalised, professional, and honest advice, focusing on building long-term client relationships.

Understanding the stress of property matters, she ensures a seamless, hassle-free experience from start to finish.

Her expert market knowledge and transparent communication have fostered a loyal client base and a strong industry reputation.

Through innovative marketing and a robust digital presence, AML Property Services has achieved significant growth and visibility.

Aine’s client-focused approach continues to deliver exceptional real estate results, making AML Property Services a trusted partner for all property needs.

Catherine Good – The Good Dairy Company

The Good Dairy Company makes artisan ice-cream using milk and cream from its pure-bred pedigree Friesian Cows on its dairy farm in Nohoval, Kinsale. While Tom Good is the fourth-generation farmer behind the cows that produce the high-quality milk and cream, Catherine is the business and marketing mind behind the fledgling ice-cream enterprise.

Coming from a sales and marketing background, she says that, as the wife of a farmer, she has always wondered about the types of products that could be developed successfully using the fresh milk produced from their herd.

After successfully acquiring a place on the Exxcel programme for Female Entrepreneurs at the Rubicon Centre, Catherine created a business plan, did market research, and set about developing an artisan farm ice-cream. The next step was coming up with a recipe and finally, after a long time experimenting with flavours, The Good Dairy Company was born in August, 2021.

Within two hours of Tom milking the cows on their farm overlooking the Atlantic, Catherine uses the milk and cream to create a fresh and creamy ice-cream. This is a zero miles dairy farm business, which delivers outstanding quality and taste. Most of the flavours are even gluten-free.

Care and welfare of their animals is very important to Tom and Catherine, who, among other things, have installed an automatic cow brush and automatic hoof bath on the farm for the cows. They also employ a nutritionist to balance the cows’ diet, thus ensuring the milk produced is of the highest quality.

While predominantly a dairy farmer, Tom also runs a calf to beef enterprise.

After launching the ice-cream catering pod in August, Catherine started attending farmers markets in Blackrock, Douglas, Carrigaline and Kinsale, as well as many corporate events.

With the help of the Local Enterprise Office, she and Tom have now taken the next step and are in the final stages of setting up a production facility at their home in Nohoval.

Gemma Kingston – The Family Edit

The Family Edit is Ireland’s premier platform for families, offering curated and trusted recommendations for family-friendly places and experiences. Born from a first-time mom’s quest for reliable information, The Family Edit has grown into a comprehensive resource that spans across 11 categories of family life, from pregnancy through primary school years.

With a focus on authenticity and trust, The Family Edit connects families with top-rated accommodation, activities, shops, and support services.

Through a subscription-based model, businesses gain visibility while families trusted recommendations.

The Family Edit revolutionises how families discover, connect, and experience the best of Family Friendly Ireland.

Keira Smyth – Keira Smyth Hair and Makeup

With more than 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, Keira has been awarded Ireland’s top Hair and Makeup Artist multiple times.

In previous years, she directed a multi award-winning ITEC Training Academy with locations in both Dublin and Cork, owned Dublin’s first and only late-night make-up bar in Temple Bar, led various makeup teams, and currently serves as the Official Creative Director for Ireland’s most admired wedding catwalk shows.

Keira is an expert in her field, and her extensive experience underscores her deep understanding of the importance of eliciting amazed reactions from friends and family as you walk down the aisle, all while staying true to your authentic self.

Laura Crowley – Laura Crowley Connect Ltd.

Connect, originally an Autism Consultancy Service for children and teens, now offers a wide range of educational resources and training for parents and professionals.

Laura is an Autism Consultant, author, lecturer, and mother of two (one neurodivergent), with over 24 years of experience in specialist settings.

Identified as autistic at 40, Laura’s own struggles with social scenarios and anxiety inspired her to create the Social Connect Series and training opportunities.

She focuses on designing accessible, user-friendly resources for all. With 24 years of professional experience, including ten years of lecturing at a leading Irish university, she is passionate about empowering young people to connect with their peers and communities, and promoting children’s mental health.

BUSINESS OWNER AWARD

FINALISTS

Ashling Muldowney – One Fifty Candlebar & Scenthouse

One Fifty Candlebar & Scenthouse is a family business which was founded as a tribute to both sustainability and personal resilience, inspired by a deep connection to family.

After the heartbreaking loss of Ashling’s mom, the owners decided to follow their dreams.

Using locally sourced ingredients where possible and eco-friendly packaging, One Fifty offers a cleaner, healthier alternative to mass-produced candles.

Born from grief, growth, and a commitment to wellness, their brand values lie at the heart of all they do.

Donna Reilly – Donna Reilly People & Wellness

Donna is the Director of Donna Reilly People & Wellness (DRPW). DRPW provides wellbeing, coaching & development, and HR Consultancy Services to individuals, teams and organisations helping them to enhance their wellbeing, engage their teams and create robust HR processes. Donna is an award-winning HR professional, leadership and mental health coach, and experienced facilitator with over 20 years working across multiple industries. Donna’s mission to create a positive impact on people through wellbeing, coaching and HR support by driving a focus on people with her clients.

Jen Bryan – Lemon7

Lemon7 is the Performance Marketing Agency your competitors will wish they found first. Providing an AI and Specialist blended approach to marketing in the new age of technology to help companies not get left behind and scale their business efficiently and cost effectively.

Kathy O’Dwyer - Career Training Internships

Career Training Internships (CTI) has excelled in providing immersive learning based vocational training and educational programmes in Ireland. Partnering with a wide range of funded organisations, including schools, apprenticeship boards, and employment agencies, CTI offers tailored internships, vocational education and training (VET), and career-focused mini stay programmes for international participants. The Founder & Director Kathy O’Dwyer has extensive experience in career guidance and training, starting her career by supporting women re-entering the workforce before founding an Au Pair organisation. Now at the helm of Career Training Internships (CTI), Kathy leads the company in delivering immersive internships, VET training, and mini stay programmes in Ireland for international participants. This year, Kathy received the Business All Star Lifetime Achievement Award from the All-Ireland Business Foundation, and CTI was announced as a finalist in the Cork Digital Marketing Awards. Kathy’s commitment to innovation is demonstrated by her participation in global industry events, which helps CTI stay ahead of trends and forge valuable partnerships. The skilled team at CTI’s Cork City Centre office ensures efficient daily operations and successful programme management.

Kelly McGrath - (HATS) HR and Talent Solutions

HR and Talent Solutions is a dedicated HR consultancy that helps businesses streamline their HR operations, ensuring compliance, talent management, and organisational growth. With a personal, hands-on approach, we provide expert services such as recruitment, HR audits, HRIS implementation, and interim HR management. Our commitment to tailored, high-quality service has built long-lasting relationships and trust. By staying true to our values, we’ve created a foundation for sustainable growth. Our small, efficient team, allows us to deliver personalised service, ensuring each client receives the support they need to thrive in their business goals.

CREATIVE MARKETING FINALISTS

Áine McLoughlin – AML Property Services

Áine is also a finalist in the Solopreneur category, see above.

Jennifer Davy – Wellbeing Warrior

Jennifer Davy is a confidence coach and workshop facilitator who empowers individuals to set boundaries and live authentically. Through her 1:1program, she helps clients achieve personal growth and transformation.

Karen McCarthy – The Simplified Social Media

Karen McCarthy is a business and marketing coach and founder of The Simplified Social Media. Karen has over two decades of experience in marketing, business strategy, and copywriting. She helps online service providers leverage social media through strategic, time-efficient content and marketing strategies. Karen’s mission is to help entrepreneurs create sustainable, thriving businesses by crafting scalable offers that drive growth without burnout and selling them through buyer journey driven content strategies. Through her coaching and digital programs, she has empowered over 400 clients to increase their impact, streamline their businesses, and reach their income goals.

Katie Diffley – Rebel Rising Agency

Rebel Rising is a growth marketing agency specialising in psychology-driven messaging, content creation, and scalable sales funnels. Founded by Katie Diffley, a strategic leader with extensive experience at a global tech giant, Rebel Rising focuses on delivering measurable results beyond vanity metrics. The agency has transformed brands like Babogue and The Career Psychologist, creating new revenue streams and expanding their global reach through high-converting funnels and bold marketing strategies. In just over a year, Rebel Rising has helped clients build sustainable, repeatable systems that drive long-term growth. With a vision to support thousands of founder-led businesses by 2030, the agency is pioneering a movement that empowers entrepreneurs to thrive in competitive markets, reshaping the future of business with innovative, results-driven strategies.

Letitia Fealy -Lotus Optimisation 

Lotus Optimisation, founded by Letitia Fealy, provides SEO, web design, copywriting, and email marketing services to help SMEs grow their online presence.

In under two years, the agency has supported over 30 businesses, driving increases in website traffic, sales, and customer retention through data-driven SEO strategies.

POSITIVE IMPACT AWARD FINALISTS

Donna Reilly – Donna Reilly People & Wellness

Donna is also a finalist in the Business Owner category, see above.

Emily Hustwick – Life Behind a Mask

Emily Hustwick is the founder of Life Behind a Mask, a counselling and consultancy service dedicated to supporting autistic individuals through the diagnosis process and addressing their mental health needs. With a deep commitment to empowering those with neurodevelopmental differences, Emily provides personalised, one-on-one support, helping clients navigate the complexities of their experiences and build resilience. Her approach combines compassionate care with a focus on individual growth, aiming to fill critical gaps in mental health support for the autistic community. Through Life Behind a Mask, Emily strives to create a more inclusive and understanding world, ensuring that every client receives the support they need to thrive.

Joanne Begley – For After I’ve Gone

For After I’ve Gone is an innovative series of end-of-life journal created to help individuals leave behind lasting legacies for their loved ones. Founded by Joanne Begley, the platform empowers people to express their life stories, emotions, and guidance, ensuring no words are left unsaid. The journal has been embraced by organizations such as the Irish Hospice Foundation, MND Ireland, and Marie Keating Foundation, and is distributed in hospices and cancer care centers across Ireland, the UK, Australia and USA. For After I’ve Gone aims to transform how we approach death and legacy, offering families comfort, healing, and connection during one of life’s most difficult journeys. Ideally for all the things unsaid.

Sandra Hayes Buckley – Rainbow Crescent & Bright Balance Accounting

Sandra Hayes Buckley is a passionate mental health advocate and is the founder of Rainbow Crescent, an online store specialising in uplifting products. With the ethos of promoting positive mental health at the heart of Rainbow Crescent, Sandra is also the creator, producer and host of The Mind your Mind Podcast, a podcast that opens up conversations about mental health in order to contribute towards ending the stigma of mental health. With listeners in over 40 countries worldwide, The Mind Your Mind Podcast, highlights the importance of looking after your mental health and discusses how different people have different approaches to minding their minds. The Mind your Mind Podcast can be found wherever you get your podcasts and to find out more about Sandra, the podcast and Rainbow Crescent, visit http://www.rainbowcrescent.ie.

Temitope Ogwu – The Light Manifesto

The Light Manifesto curated by Temitope Ogwu, is a resource bank and intentional living lifestyle brand that seeks to champion purposeful living through multidimensional self-help resources and opportunities for growth and development.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE CLUB WOMEN’S NETWORK FINALISTS

Fiona Brennan – Inspire Action Success

Fiona Brennan is a Business Success Coach, Mentor, Project Management Consultant, Personal Growth Teacher and more. Her passion is helping people to get clear on what they want, and then make it happen. To take ideas and visions and bring them to reality. She supports service-based business owners who are ready to step into who they can become and what they can create through a 360 approach of strategy, mindset and energetics.

Katie Diffley – Rebel Rising Agency

Katie is also a finalist in the Creative Marketing category, see above.

Margaret Quane – The Pivot Coach

Margaret is a dedicated Career & Leadership Coach. She is passionate about supporting clients through their professional & career transitions. She launched her Coaching Business, The Pivot Coach, in 2021. She wants clients to love their jobs and to actively engage in their careers.

Olwyn Hanley – Head of Brands

Olwyn Hanley is Head Creative and Director of Head of Brands, a Brand Studio specialising in legacy creation through consultancy and transformative identities. With the aim to build, manage, and elevate brands, they partner with industry leaders across established and emerging businesses with the goal to build a lasting heritage.

Triona Gunning – Early Years Insights

Early Years Insights aims to support parents of young children by supporting them in what best suits their family. Parent workshops are provided online on topics such as resilience and emotional development, play, and starting preschool. Early Years insights also offers one-to-one parent and life coaching for a more personalised approach to empowering parents to create the optimum mindset, environment and approach for themselves and their young family.

MOST INSPIRING MEMBER FINALISTS

Angela O’Donnell - YAWUW

At YAWUW - an acronym for YOU ARE WHAT U WEAR – the team designs and develops 100% sustainable athleisure collections, designed in Ireland, manufactured in Cork and all the way to China. They are dedicated to leaving a positive impact on the environment, help people to lead a sustainable lifestyle and look good doing it.

Ashling Muldowney – One Fifty Candlebar & Scenthouse

Ashling is also a finalist in the Business Owner category, see above.

Emily Hustwick – Life Behind a Mask

Emily is also a finalist in the Positive Impact category, see above.

Joanne Begley – For After I’ve Gone

Joanne is also a finalist in the Positive Impact category, see above.

Laura Crowley – Laura Crowley Connect Ltd.

Laura is also a finalist in the Solopreneur category, see above.

NEWCOMER FINALISTS

Alicja Sweeney – Alicja Sweeney Photography

Alicja Sweeney is an award-winning portrait and personal branding photographer dedicated to helping her clients showcase their unique beauty and stories. She specialises in taking magazine-style images that evoke emotions and inspire confidence, allowing individuals to present their best selves. Through her signature campaign, Fabulous Over 40, she empowers women over 40 and beyond to embrace their beauty with stunning portraits that celebrate their journey. Alicja believes that effective branding photography is essential for building trust and authenticity, helping clients stand out in a competitive market and make a lasting impression. Based in County Cork, Alicja is available nationwide for branding work.

Eliee Garcia – The Colour Box

The Colour Box is a creative hub in Cork City offering versatile rental space for artists, instructors, and creatives. With a mission to nurture artistic growth and collaboration, they provide fully equipped studios ideal for workshops, hands-on learning experiences, and community building. Whether you’re an instructor looking to teach or a participant eager to explore new techniques, The Colour Box fosters a welcoming and supportive environment. Their diverse workshop schedule and professional resources help individuals refine skills and express creativity in a vibrant community setting.

Jenny Douglas – A Good Moment Company

Jenny Douglas is the founder of A Good Moment Company, a Dublin-based professional organising business dedicated to helping busy professionals and parents transform their spaces into organised, peaceful havens. With nearly 20 years of experience in the Irish charity sector, Jenny’s roles with organisations like Debra, Focus Ireland, and Oxfam Ireland nurtured her empathy and resilience. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, Jenny’s journey took a personal turn, reshaping her priorities around balance and simplicity. In 2024, she launched A Good Moment Company to reflect her passion for creating uplifting, practical spaces. As a CPD-trained organiser, Jenny’s empathetic, non-judgmental approach helps clients let go of clutter and reclaim their space. Together, let’s create good moments—it’s time to let the clutter out and the good in!

Letitia Fealy – Lotus Optimisation

Also a finalist in the Creative Marketing section.

Zoe Fitzpatrick – The Film Crew

The Film Crew is an award-winning filmmaking team aiming to inspire young minds and help them explore filmmaking in a safe environment. Run by Zoe Fitzpatrick (Documentary; A Community, Fighting) and Rory Fitzpatrick, The Film Crew are working to create the space in education that they would have loved as students. Using a practical, hands-on approach throughout the workshops, the aim is to get students into groups and on their feet as quickly as possible and working in a safe group environment in order to bring their own ideas to life. Every student gets to try out different roles, and - most importantly - leave with their own film by the end of the workshop. The best part is screening these films at the end of the day. The Film Crew work primarily with 6th class and Transition year groups, but we love to run these exercises with students of any age.

For more information about The Club Women’s Network or to purchase tickets to this year’s Female Founder Awards, visit www.theclubwomensnetwork.com