One month later! Solo Businesswoman of the Year Award!!

A month on from winning the award, it feels like a good time to reflect, take stock, and give credit where it’s due.

Just in case you don’t know, I have been involved in Network Ireland Louth since shortly after we set up Coppertops. I attended my first event in 2014, and at that time I found it so difficult to go into a room with people I didn’t know, let alone be expected to talk to them! I didn’t know what to expect and I was terrified! As soon as I got there, though, I knew I was ok. The women of Network Louth Meath (as it was then called) made me feel incredibly welcome, supported, and included. That is how I have felt ever since, and I now see Network Ireland as a priceless part of my life.

Networking is a funny word, it can feel forced, hard, full of expectation, and maybe even exhausting. But I have learned over the years that it can be inspiring, motivating, energising, and incredibly supportive.

When you are part of Network Ireland Louth you’re never on your own, we have a group of amazing, strong, inspiring women who meet up at least once a month to chat, share solutions as well as problems, collaborate, and support each other. I see new members join and I know they are quite often nervous, if not terrified, walking into the room. At one of our events a new member came into the venue at the same time as me and said she was on her own, I said not now you’re not. I know she probably thought I was being flippant and/or trying to sell it but I also know that by the end of that event, she saw what I meant.

Last year I was honoured to be asked to take the role of President. I was terrified, again, and then I found, again, that the women rocked in behind me and they had me all the way through. I grew so much in my year and am so proud of the events that we held, including my proudest evening where we had a thoroughly frank and honest conversation about how to support those living with a disability who want to join the workforce, or who would like to set up their own business.

I am a stronger person because of my membership with Network, and earlier this year when the call went out for applications for this year’s awards I decided to have a go and see what happened. If nothing else I could always use feedback on my business, one of the things I find hardest about running it solo! So I submitted the application forms, attended a virtual interview on Zoom which was a really lovely experience, and thought no more of it.

A fellow applicant, Pauline from Kookee, and myself are involved in a group called Support 4 Carers – aiming to support parents who have children with additional needs via monthly coffees and chats. We were in a room together at one of these monthly meetings when the finalists were announced and we realised we were competing in the same category. In typical Network style, we shook hands, wished each other luck, and laughed (very hard!) at the situation.

Our Awards ceremony on the 26th of May saw members along with some friends and family congregate for a celebratory evening. The atmosphere in the room, and it was the same last year, is hard to describe without getting soppy and I am not a soppy person! It is incredible to see a room full of women who are rooting for each other and cheering each other on, genuinely supportive of and happy for each other.

I was a finalist in two categories, and fully convinced that I would win neither. I was sitting with Carmel, who was a fellow finalist for the Networker of the Year award – once I saw she was on the list of finalists it was a no-brainer for me, I knew she would win it. The Solo Businesswoman of the Year, though, was announced first. I was sitting there thinking that’s grand, I don’t need to go up there cos someone else has won this. And then Karen Devine said my name and shock hit. I still don’t think I’m fully recovered!!

I am so honoured and happy to have won this award in our branch, and to go forward to represent this branch at nationals later in the year. This branch that has given me so so much over the years. I get to go with the other winners, Elena and Carmel, and I’m sure we will have plenty of members joining us in Kildare to celebrate as well and we will be cheering each other on. Pauline and Chloe won the 2 branch awards. I am so proud of both of the 5 of us!

Carmel summed it up in her acceptance spech when she said that you get out of networking what you put in. If you get involved, show up, and lean in, then the benefits are there in bucket loads. Fancy joining Network? You can sign up here

This is extra special as it has felt like a very hard slog at times in the past 10 years.

Business wise we’ve gone through a lot – Regina left just before covid, covid threw everything up in the air with a hectic year followed by a very quiet one, I hired a new team member which turned into one of my biggest regrets in the business.

Personally, too, I have gone through 2 house moves, a breakup, 2 diagnoses for my daughter who is autistic and dyspraxic, new schools, and burnout – to name just a few of the highlights!

So this award, the comments that went with it, and even the phrase on the Sarah McKenna artwork specially created for the trophy, mean so very much to me and I am incredibly grateful.