Tipperary entrepreneurs encourage peers to apply for Going for Growth programme

Tipperary businesswomen are encouraging female entrepreneurs who have ambition to grow their businesses to apply for the 17th cycle of the Going for Growth development programme.

Supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG, Going for Growth aids female business owners as they seek to increase revenue, create employment, and export into new markets.

The deadline for applications for Going for Growth is midnight on Friday, November 15.

Application forms can be requested from the website, www.goingforgrowth.com.

Some 60 places are available for the new six-month cycle, which is due to begin with a one-day Launch Forum on January 14, 2025.

Female entrepreneurs from any sector who are focused on growth are encouraged to apply. There is no charge for those selected, thanks to the support of Enterprise Ireland, KPMG and the Lead Entrepreneurs who operate in a voluntary capacity.

Past participants from Tipperary include Geraldine Jones, founder and Chief Executive of Skin Formulas, an award-winning Skin and BodyCare, based in Nenagh.

Geraldine, who was a participant on Starting Strong, which is part of Going for Growth but for earlier stage businesses, in 2023 and has just completed the 16th cycle of Going for Growth says: “I am thrilled to have successfully completed this year's cycle of the Going for Growth programme. This transformative programme, supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG, has been a highlight of my professional development journey. I am grateful for the camaraderie and support of the talented entrepreneurs at my table throughout the programme. Together, we have navigated the challenges and successes of the past six months, forming bonds that will last a lifetime.”

Evie Ward co-founded Nutshed, an award-winning producer of peanut butter, energy, raw energy balls and plant based treats. Evie has just completed the 16th cycle of Going for Growth.

She says: “Going for Growth gave me the space to step away from the daily demands of Nutshed and focus on our long-term goals. Being partnered with an amazing lead entrepreneur in manufacturing was so beneficial for us on our journey. The support from such a dynamic group of women, along with the structured goal-setting process, kept me motivated and inspired over the six months. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an incredible programme and network!”

The 17th cycle will mark a major milestone for Going for Growth with the programme set to accept its 1,000th female entrepreneur since its launch in 2008.

Going for Growth brings together female entrepreneurs for monthly peer-to-peer roundtable discussions, facilitated by successful businesswomen, known as Lead Entrepreneurs, whose participation is completely voluntary and is done in a spirit of altruism. An incredible EIGHT of this year’s 11 Lead Entrepreneurs themselves are former participants of Going for Growth.

They are: Anne Cusack, formerly Critical Healthcare; Chupi Sweetman-Durney, Chupi; Hannah Wrixon, Kella Leadership; Jeananne O’Brien, Artizan Food Co.; Leonora O’Brien, formerly Pharmapod; Marissa Carter, Carter Beauty; Oonagh O’Hagan, Meaghers Pharmacy Group; and Tara Beattie, Prepsheets.com. The other three highly successful Lead Entrepreneurs are: Fidelma McGuirk, Payslip; Monica Flood, formerly Olas IT and Susan Spence, formerly SoftCo.