Calling all ambitious female entrepreneurs in Kilkenny

Going for Growth past participants from Kilkenny are encouraging female entrepreneurs in the county who are determined to grow their businesses to apply for the award-winning business development programme. 

Going for Growth has started accepting applications for the 16th year of the programme and the deadline to apply is Friday November 17, 2023. 

The programme, which is supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG, helps ambitious female entrepreneurs to achieve their growth ambitions – helping to build stronger companies, create new jobs and increase revenues. 

Up to 60 places will be available and applications are sought from female entrepreneurs across all sectors who are strongly focused on growth.  There is no charge for those selected and the six-month initiative will begin in January 2024. 

Going for Growth has seen more than 900 businesswomen take part since its first cycle in 2008. Past participants from Kilkenny include Aisling Carroll of Momentum Healthcare which specialises in providing people with complex physical disabilities the opportunity to enjoy an active and independent lifestyle.  

“This programme has been a great addition to my company and to me personally," says Aisling.

"It will take you out of your comfort zone, where you will meet likeminded entrepreneurs, that will challenge and support you.  Take a deep dive into your company, question your role, your methods, your systems and see what you can achieve and what changes could be made for the betterment of the company and profitability.  It is a commitment of time and attitude that will pay dividends.”

Other past participants from Kilkenny include Alexandra Nicole Server-Pawlukojć of Arán Bakery & Bistro. Alexandra, a participant on the most recent cycle of Going for Growth, says: “Going for Growth helped me find my tribe. It was such an amazing experience because it gave me the support system I needed in bringing my business to the next level and it helped open my eyes to so many opportunities that I never knew were there before. I couldn’t recommend it enough.”

Feedback from the previous cycle of Going for Growth has been extremely positive, with 96% of participants saying their involvement brought about practical change within their business and 97% saying they felt nearer to achieving their ambitions. All participants said they would recommend the programme to others.

Going for Growth brings together female entrepreneurs for monthly peer-to-peer roundtable discussions facilitated by successful businesswomen. They are known as Lead Entrepreneurs.  Their participation is completely voluntary and is done in a spirit of altruism and the wish to share their experience and insights with others at an earlier stage of their growth journey. 

Seven of this year’s Lead Entrepreneurs are former Going for Growth participants. 

This year’s voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs include Anne Cusack, formerly Critical Healthcare; Chupi Sweetman-Durney, Chupi;  Jeananne O’Brien, Artizan Food Co.; Leonora O’Brien, formerly Pharmapod;Louise Phelan, formerly Phelan Energy Group; Marissa Carter, Carter Beauty; Monica Flood, formerly Olas IT; Oonagh O’Hagan, Meaghers Pharmacy Group and Tara Beattie, Prepsheets.com.

The support provided does not end on completion of the six-month cycle, with most past participants becoming part of the Going for Growth community. Going for Growth alumni can apply for the Continuing the Momentum programme, which offers Lead Entrepreneur facilitated roundtables to those looking to continue their growth journey, with the aid of peer support, focused goals, and milestones.

Log onto www.goingforgrowth.com for more details.