Countdown to Female Founder awards in Cork

Women and businesses in Cork account for 13 of the 24 finalists for The Club Women’s Network Female Founder Awards.

The awards aim to champion women from across Ireland who are building purpose-led businesses.

This year, there are 24 nominations for women and businesses across five categories: Newcomer of the Year, Solopreneur of the Year, Business of the Year, Positive Impact Award, and Contribution to The Club.

The shortlisted nominees in Cork are:

• Maria Petco, Mr Mills Barber & Academy – raising the bar for grooming and barber training in Cork, finalist for Newcomer of the Year
• Magdalena Zimowska, The Hideout Café & Art Gallery – blending creativity, coffee, and community in East Cork, finalist for Newcomer of the Year
• Sharlene Daly, Hot Pilates – Ireland’s first independent infrared Pilates studio, empowering through movement, finalist for Newcomer of the Year and Business of the Year
• Laura Jane Redmond, Wave & Cave Clothing – creating bold, sustainable adventure wear inspired by nature, finalist for Solopreneur of the Year
• Katherina White, Katherina White Solicitors – delivering high-quality, ethical, and client-focused legal services, finalist for Business of the Year
• Lowry O’Mahony, Max Physio & Pilates – building Ireland’s leading physiotherapy and Pilates network, finalist for Business of the Year
• Samantha Halpin, Halpin Wealth Management – making financial advice approachable, empowering, and jargon-free, finalist for Business of the Year
• Claire O’Brien, Honest and Goodness Nutrition – helping people restore energy, balance hormones, and feel well, finalist for Positive Impact
• Amelia McNamara, Graceful Accounting – empowering women founders to achieve clarity and profit with purpose, finalist for Positive Impact and Contribution to The Club
• Sandra Hayes Buckley, Bright Balance Accounting – helping clients find calm and confidence through financial clarity, finalist for Contribution to The Club
• Ezara Ahern Easter, Twelve South Creative – helping founders grow visibility through strategy-driven PR and storytelling, finalist for Contribution to The Club.

“The Female Founder Awards are more than a ceremony - they are a celebration of Irish female entrepreneurship, community, and collaboration. We’re so proud to host it for the third time and celebrate these women and the businesses they’ve built. We received a record number of entries this year, and every finalist has a story of resilience, creativity, and contribution,” said Sian Horn, founder of The Club Women’s Network and host of The BeBelle Podcast.

“The female founder space in Ireland is really special, and these awards recognise the passion, innovation, and determination behind the businesses these women have created.”

The awards take place this year on November 7 at the Maryborough Hotel. Tickets to the awards are €150 and available at theclubwomensnetwork.com.