Courage, Confidence & Competitions: How Explore Enterprise Helped Charmaine Humphries Progress Professionally and Personally

Charmaine Humphries’ step into the beauty business world was one she never thought possible, but with the help of the Explore Enterprise Support Service, her vision of starting her own company became a reality.

The Dungiven native, who previously held a successful career in the care sector for nine years, stopped working in order to foster her two nephews, which became a full-time job in itself and decided not to return to her previous employment.  

Following undertaking a funded makeup course, Charmaine decided this was the direction she wanted her career to take, ultimately creating her own business, Blissful Beauty by Charmaine, earlier this year.

Speaking on why she chose to get involved, Charmaine said: “I was new in opening a business and I went in completely blind.

“It was brilliant because just having the support there was great.”

Supported by Roe Valley Enterprise business mentor Alice Quinn, Charmaine received insight into various aspects of a business, including better understanding of the financial side of running the company and building a customer base.

Charmaine’s professional partnership with Alice quickly became one of her highlights, explaining that the duo clicked immediately and formed a fast friendship.

She said: “For me the best part was building a friendship with my mentor, as she’s so positive and welcoming and she makes me feel like this is something I can do.

“I think from day one when we first met, she broke everything down and just made me feel so at ease.”

“She’s helped me gain the confidence I needed.”

Despite Charmine being initially unaware of the service programme, her time within Explore Enterprise helped her passion project grow exponentially to the point where it was a profitable, sustainable business.

She said: “I didn’t expect to receive the mentoring that I got or the support and I wasn’t aware so much help and advice was available to me being a new business. 

“In doing so my business is starting to thrive: since opening my salon, I was nominated as a finalist for Best New Salon in the UK and I placed in the top 40.

“I feel that without the background, support and funding from Explore Enterprise, to get extra support either through education or just getting equipment, I don’t think the business would be doing as well.”

As well as being recognised in top 25 for Best In Brows within the United Kingdom, Charmaine still has lots of upcoming competition entries in which she hopes to flourish.

Funded by the UK Government, the Explore Enterprise Support Service supports entrepreneurs from across the country to reach their full potential, providing timely support, informed guidance, s and advice to anyone ambitious enough to simply give it a go.

The Explore Enterprise Support Service has received £1.8m from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.  

Following on from the success of her own business, and the extremely positive experience she had, Charmaine encourages anyone considering being part of the service to get involved.

Charmaine said: “It has given me a lot more courage. If you have it as a dream, definitely take the risk and go for it, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. 

“Now, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies, far from it, but you have to work at it to reap the rewards, and when you do, it’s life-changing.”

Charmaine Humphries is just one of the successful business owners helped by Enterprise NI, with more than 3,500 small, micro and self-employed enterprises being supported each week, bridging the gap between business ideas and entrepreneurship.

For more information on Enterprise NI go to www.enterpriseni.com

TechFoundHer Innovation Labs Programme Launches With First Workshop In Dublin

Women entrepreneurs from across the island of Ireland from Cork to Antrim gathered recently at KPMG’s Platform X in Dublin’s IFSC for TechFoundHer’s Innovation Labs.

A cohort of 35 female founders are on a journey to create, develop and deliver innovative tech products to the market and in the process connect with other women entrepreneurs North and South!

The closed session involved the founders getting hands-on and mapping their tech solution facilitated by experts Miriam Elst and Máirín Murray with support from the KPMG team.

The TechFoundHer programme, now in its fourth week, is designed to support women founders who may not come from a tech background but are ambitious to develop and lead tech-driven products. 

The eight-week programme, funded through the Shared Island initiative and supported by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, with lead sponsor KPMG Ireland, includes in-person labs alternating between Dublin and Belfast, alongside online webinars and mentoring sessions.

Each in-person and online lab is facilitated by one of the TechFoundHer global faculty of trainers including leading global innovation experts AI ethicist Dr Lollie Mancey and radical innovation leader Dr Tamara Carleton.

Speaking of the importance of the Innovation Labs programme Dr Mancey said: “Empowering women founders through technology is an imperative for fostering innovation, inclusivity, and impactful entrepreneurship.

“By dismantling traditional barriers and providing access to resources, technology becomes a powerful tool for women to build disruptive solutions and scalable ventures that address global challenges.”

The first session, facilitated by Miriam Elst, an Innovation Consultant, focused on mapping out the key features of tech solutions. Participants were guided through the hands-on workshop to get their idea out of their head and to make it real.

Miriam, a strong advocate for women’s leadership in tech, said: “Women lift change and transformation to another level that usually has a broader approach, is more inclusive, allows for diversity and embraces agility.

“It’s in our DNA. Being more than 50% of the humans on this planet, I’d love to see what this shift to 50% more women leading tech companies will bring.”

TechFoundHer CEO, Máirín Murray, said the programme was “empowering women to build tech and product competence and of course confidence, no matter their previous experience”. 

She added: “We’re breaking down the myths surrounding making tech products supporting all women regardless of their tech knowledge, and providing them with the tools they need to lead their projects from concept to implementation. 

“You don’t need to be able to code to start a company that creates a tech-driven product or service.”

With support from InterTradeIreland and KPMG Ireland, TechFoundHer’s Innovation Labs is fostering a collaborative environment where women founders can share ideas, tackle challenges, and develop tech solutions that drive positive change. 

This first in-person lab marked a significant moment in the journey for these founders, who are building the confidence and practical skills necessary to lead in tech innovation.

The next Innovation Labs session will take place in Belfast on 22nd November hosted by the Ulster Bank Accelerator. 

TechFoundHer Innovation Labs is a programme supported by InterTradeIreland (in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland) under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme and sponsored by KPMG Ireland.

Lord Mayor Celebrates Belfast Entrepreneurs At Launch Of Conference

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, has called on entrepreneurs from across the city to get together for a unique conference aimed at supporting their business journey.

Entrepreneurs Unleashed will take place this month at the Cathy Short Theatre in Jennymount Business Park, lower North Belfast.

Councillor Murray, who is originally from the area, said he was delighted to see an event supporting local entrepreneurs and business people from across the city taking place in the York Road area.

He said “Our council is delighted to support the Entrepreneurs Unleashed Conference, having committed to enabling local businesses achieve their full potential as part of the Belfast Agenda, our city’s community plan.

“This is an exciting opportunity for individuals with business aspirations to connect, learn and be inspired to progress on their business journey – and even better that it’s taking place right in the heart of the community.” 

The day-long event is intended to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit of local professionals, offering a cohesive space for networking and development.

Entrepreneurs Unleashed will feature a diverse panel of industry experts sharing insights on a variety of crucial topics for entrepreneurial success, including AI usage, marketing strategies, tendering and more.

Attendees will also have the chance to network with like-minded professionals, gain actionable insights, and be inspired by success stories from fellow entrepreneurs.

Organised by Tina Calder, Chief Vision Officer of multi-disciplinary media and marketing agency Excalibur Press, Entrepreneurs Unleashed promises to bring together both aspiring and established business leaders on Thursday, November 28.

A North Belfast native herself, Tina Calder said Entrepreneurs Unleashed was a particularly poignant project for her to be organising.

She said: “Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your business, Entrepreneurs Unleashed is your gateway to unlocking new opportunities. 

“We are excited to offer a platform for learning and collaboration that will supercharge your entrepreneurial journey.

“Thanks to sponsors and supporters such as Belfast City Council, Belfast Met, Movie House Cinemas, Oranga Creative, MCS Branding and others we are delighted to be able to support entrepreneurs across the city.”

Registration is now open, and interested participants are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot.

Entrepreneurs Unleashed Conference will take place on Thursday November 28, at the Cathy Short Theatre, Jennymount Business Park, Belfast, tickets are available from entrepreneursunleashed.co.uk

TechFoundHer Book Club Welcomes Marcia Dawood to Share Insights on Impactful Angel Investing

TechFoundHer’s Book Club is back on Monday, 11 November, with an exclusive opportunity to hear from Marcia Dawood—an early-stage investor, TEDx speaker, and author of Do Good While Doing Well. This online event will take place from 7pm to 8:15pm and will be hosted by Suzanne Mills, a leading global innovator and startup ecosystem builder.

Marcia Dawood, who has invested in more than fifty early-stage companies and funds, will discuss how angel investing can be a vehicle for meaningful change, allowing individuals to align their financial goals with positive social impact. Her book, Do Good While Doing Well, explores the power of angel investing to drive change while generating financial and emotional rewards.

Attendees will hear from Marcia about her journey from being an investor in early-stage companies to serving on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, her role as a venture partner at Mindshift Capital, and her leadership in initiatives like the award-winning documentary Show Her The Money.

The event will be introduced by Máirín Murray, founder of TechFoundHer, who will welcome attendees. Suzanne Mills will then lead the book club discussion, diving into key themes from Marcia’s book, exploring the world of angel investing, and helping attendees understand how to leverage investments for social good.

“This online event is an amazing opportunity for entrepreneurs and founders to get into the ‘head’ of a US-based angel investor and discover their rationale for investing. Marcia Dawood has such a positive message and her book is a rallying cry for those who want to do good, to consider investing in impact focused for profit companies.” explained Máirín.

In her TEDx talk Do Good While Doing Well, Marcia Dawood said: “If we really want to effect change, we can start to invest in the things we care about on a much larger scale. It also includes where we spend our time and finding ideas being worked on that haven’t reached the public yet to support. 

“We need to start to look at for-profit companies as well as non-profits. After spending an award-winning career in sales, marketing and operations for one of the largest education providers, Marcia Dawood now works on making people’s dream come true.”

 

The event promises to be an inspiring evening of discussion, where attendees will learn practical insights into how they too can use their investments to contribute towards creating a positive social impact, while also earning financial returns.

TechFoundHer invites anyone interested in impactful investing and empowering women-led initiatives to join this complimentary online event. 

Book your spot today to secure your place and be part of this insightful discussion. Spaces are limited, so register now at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/techfoundher-bookclub-doing-good-while-doing-well-by-marcia-dawood-tickets-1043084412557 

Belfast City Council Backs New Conference For Entrepreneurs In The City

The Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee is calling for business people from across the city to attend the first Entrepreneurs Unleashed conference.

The networking conference, organised by Excalibur Press and sponsored by Belfast City Council, has been tailored to enhancing the business journeys of entrepreneurs from across the city.

Taking place at the Cathy Short Theatre on November 28 in Jennymount Business Park in lower North Belfast the conference is the first of its kind in the city dedicated solely to supporting entrepreneurs at all levels.

Councillor Nelson said he was delighted to officially launch the conference, highlighting the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs at all stages of running a business.

He said: “Belfast City Council is committed to providing business support to individuals and businesses at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey.

“Entrepreneurs Unleashed provides an opportunity for businesses to hear from local industry experts, meet with key stakeholders and network with other like-minded entrepreneurs.

“This conference aims to create an environment that nurtures business growth, which is a key priority for Belfast City Council and a vital component of the Belfast Agenda, the city’s community plan.”

This day-long event aims to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of local professionals, providing a collaborative space for networking and growth. 

Entrepreneurs Unleashed will feature a diverse panel of industry experts who will share valuable insights on a range of essential topics, including leveraging AI, effective marketing strategies, navigating the tendering process, and much more.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with like-minded aspiring and established business owners, with the event acting as a brilliant networking space.

Alongside drawing inspiration from success stories of fellow entrepreneurs, ticket holders can avail of gaining actionable insights during conversations with fellow attendees as well as headline speakers.

Organised by Tina Calder, Chief Vision Officer at multi-disciplinary media and marketing agency Excalibur Press, Entrepreneurs Unleashed is set to make its event debut inside Jennymount Business Park’s Cathy Short Theatre on Thursday, November 28. 

As a North Belfast native, Tina Calder recognises the significance of this project for the local community.

She said: “As an entrepreneur who grew up in lower North Belfast and a businesswoman who brought her business home to the area just a few months ago I’m proud to be able to deliver this exciting event just off the York Road area, a main arterial route in and out of the city.

“I am passionate about nurturing and supporting entrepreneurial spirit through my business and also as a business mentor across a number of programmes in Northern Ireland.

“I am absolutely delighted that Belfast City Council has recognised the importance of this event which is the first in a series of events and other activities we will be running throughout the rest of 2024 and into 2025.

“Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your business, Entrepreneurs Unleashed is your gateway to unlocking new opportunities.

“We are excited to offer a platform for learning and collaboration that will supercharge your entrepreneurial journey.”

Registration is now open, and interested attendees are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spots.

Entrepreneurs Unleashed Conference will take place on Thursday November 28, at the Cathy Short Theatre, Jennymount Business Park, Belfast, tickets are available from entrepreneursunleashed.co.uk 

Final Speakers For Big Marketing Meet Up 2024 Revealed

The remaining six speakers for the upcoming Big Marketing Meet Up event have been revealed, completing the 15-person strong programme.

The November 14 day-long feat will see professionals from all areas of industry expertise share their top tips, teachings and potential prescience with attendees.

Big Marketing Meet Ups are also renowned for their networking opportunities, enabling ticket holders to socialise with the community and meet like minded individuals.

Attendees will also avail of enticing extras, including a fully-comped lunch, drinks plus much more to be discovered inside Belfast’s ICC.

Rachel Moss will be bringing her career experiences, including working as Head of Marketing Strategy for National Lottery operator Allwyn UK, to Belfast, outlining the path she has taken from a beginner in business to the marketing giant she is today.

Frequently mentoring on the Marketing Leadership Masterclass, Rachel is no stranger to a room of budding marketers and her passion for the sector emanates during her talks.

Speaking on what makes a brand’s outputs successful, Rachel said: “I believe that marketing effectiveness is about more than just measurement, it starts with consumer insight, it’s about telling compelling stories to your stakeholders and about building teams both inside your business and with your agency partners.

“I’m looking forward to sharing what’s worked for me to deliver successful business outcomes.”

Joining Rachel Moss on November 14 is Andi Jarvis, host of Strategy Sessions podcast, a show that does exactly what it says on the tin, frequently interviewing the world’s greatest marketers and providing industry tips to listeners.

Having set up Eximo Marketing back in 2017, Andi is well-versed in aiding companies with their promotion needs, creating strategies, campaigns and training schemes for businesses in Ireland and beyond.

Similar to Andi, Helen Edwards specialises in brand positioning, strategy, engagement, architecture and portfolio planning, as well as consumer insights, and will be providing her insightful takes on all topics at Belfast’s BMMU.

The award-winning columnist and branding consultant is a jack of all trades, previously published her book ‘Creating Passion Brands’ and currently working as both director of Passionbrand and Adjunct Associate Professor of Marketing at London Business School.

This autumn’s event will also see the inclusion of celebrated author Matt Swain.

Despite entering into the career in a different way, having first started in finance, Matt’s swap from corporate to collective media has proved a fruitful decision, enabling him to work with high-flying UK clients, garner over one million social media followers and curate his exclusive marketing community, Social Club.

Talking about what should be valued most in the marketing industry, Matt said: ”We no longer live in an attention economy. We live in a trust economy.

“Everyone has been fighting for clicks but in the process have lost & eroded brand trust.

“Now it’s all about building genuine industry-specific authority, meaningful trust with your target persona.”

Andrew Tindall, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships at System1 and The Drum columnist joins the list of expert names who will appear at the ICC, Belfast, in less than a month.

Championing data usage alongside emotion and creativity, Andrew’s outlook on marketing is incredibly practical and straight-to-the-point, making his talk one not to be missed for an honest outlook.

Rounding off this year’s programme, Ben Saul-Garner will be bringing raw recounts of his unusual experiences to the Big Marketing Meet Up stage.

Ben has co-founded multiple businesses, including Rebel Book Club and Attachment, ventures which specialise in non-fiction and culture marketing respectively, giving him a broad spectrum of interests and insights, to reflect on.

Speaking on how the wider world is an impactful learning station, Ben said: “I’ve found the best lessons and insights often come from unconventional places that are a far cry from the office.

“I’m looking forward to heading to Belfast and sharing some stories from ten nights alone on a desert island that have had a big impact both personally and professionally.”

To find out more about the programme and to secure your tickets, go to bmmubelfast.com

Healing Through Laughter And Play: Arts Care Clown Doctors Celebrate 20th Birthday At Ulster Hospital

Mirth and merriment were the orders of the day on the Ulster Hospital’s Paediatric Wards as The Artscare NI Clown Doctors marked 20 years with children, families and staff.

The ‘clown doctors’ are a core troupe of actors, performers, musicians and dancers who have undertaken bespoke ‘clown doctoring’ training and visit sick children in hospital and hospice settings to brighten their day through creative play and fun.

14-year-old Lucie Frame described how much the Clown Doctors had “cheered” her up as she had plans to go away over the weekend. “The Clown Doctors came in and really cheered me up,” said Lucy. “They are really funny and my Dad was even joking around with them and they made me feel better.”

Founding member Paul Taylor, otherwise known to children and young people on the hospital wards as ‘Dr Clooless’ explained how much 20 years bringing joy and laughter meant to him and the team. “I want to say thanks to the Ulster Hospital for allowing us to come and entertain and meet the children these past 20 years. I even have ‘Clown Doctor’ down as my profession on my children’s birth certificates,” Paul laughed. “We work so well with the hospital Play Specialists and the staff here, we are a big team here. We like to think we bring a different atmosphere onto the ward and I know how anxious you can get on a hospital ward, I’ve been here with my own children. As Clown Doctors, we hope that the children and young people can build a relationship with us.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt was onhand to congratulate the Clown Doctors on their milestone. “For 20 years the Clown Doctors’ service has been helping children who may be worried or nervous in hospital and they must be praised for the work they have done and continue to do, and the joy they bring, not only to the children, but also the families.

“I know Artscare as a charity is committed to enhancing the lives of individuals in healthcare and community settings through the transformative power of the arts, and its vision is to ensure that everyone across Northern Ireland has the opportunity to experience the positive health and wellbeing benefits that creative engagement brings and in settings such as this that has to be encouraged. The large number of interactions and sessions the Clown Doctors have had last year, and this year is a testament to the excellent work you do and the impacts you have for the children, their families and the staff in the wards.”

Ulster Hospital Healthcare Play Specialist Sharon Pauley described how she and the team were “honoured” to host the momentous birthday celebrations. “We have had the pleasure of having the Clown Doctors on our Paediatric Ward since they started. We were the first Trust to host the Clown Doctors Programme.

“It is a great honour for us to be able to kick off their celebrations here at the Ulster Hospital and it’s great for them to showcase their incredible work to the Health Minister and our Chief Executive Roisin Coulter and Chairman Jonathan Patton.

Sharon continued, “The Clown Doctors have provided an amazing service over the years for the children and they are amazing at engaging the children, young people and parents that are in our care. They promote mental health and well-being and have such a positive impact on people’s mood on the ward. They say that ‘laughter is the best medicine’ and we have seen that in action thanks to the Clown Doctors.”

Barry Macaulay, CEO/Artistic Director Arts Care said, “This year, we proudly celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Arts Care Clown Doctors in Northern Ireland. These highly trained professional performers use the art of clowning to bring joy, comfort, and relief to children and young people who are anxious, vulnerable, or unwell.

“Through playful interactions and imaginative storytelling, our Clown Doctors Dr Muddle, Dr Clooless, Dr Fizz, Dr Dapper, and Dr Twinkle create magical moments in healthcare settings, from hospital bedsides to waiting rooms across all five Trusts.
“Currently, Arts Care are commissioned directly by the Department of Health to deliver these vital services and supported by occasional Trust charitable fund contributions.

“However, with creative health funding due to transfer directly to the Trusts by March 2025, the future of our Clown Doctors’ service is uncertain.
“We are hopeful that the Trusts will recognise the profound impact our Clown Doctors have such as opening doors to imaginative worlds and offering much-needed moments of respite and joy.”

Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Roisín McDonough, added, “Anyone who has witnessed the extraordinary, uplifting work of the Arts Care Clown Doctors will recognise how effective the arts are at helping sick children and their families and carers cope with the complex range of emotions they may experience during their stay in hospital. In these situations a little happiness goes a very long way.

“The work of these professionally-trained Arts Care performers, supporting the clinical and nursing staff, is one of the most heartening examples I know of, of how the arts can make a very real and meaningful difference to people’s wellbeing and quality of life, in what can otherwise be anxious and stressful situations.”

Women In Tech Organisation, Founded By Co Down Entrepreneur, TechFoundHer Launches in the US

Women in tech organisation TechFoundHer has launched in America participating in a series of high profile events in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area focused on advancing equity in tech entrepreneurship for women. 

TechFoundHer was founded by County Down entrepreneur Máirin Murray who is on a mission to unlock the potential of women to start and lead tech companies for the benefit of the Irish economy delivering programmes to build tech and product skills whilst advocating for entrepreneur equality and system change. 

Earlier this year Máirin worked with LA producer Catherine Gray, of award winning movie Show Her The Money, to premiere the groundbreaking documentary in Dublin and Belfast as part of the TechFoundHer roadshow. Now it’s TechFounderHer’s turn to cross the Atlantic and head stateside.

Máirin said: “The opportunity to bring TechFoundHer to America is a fantastic endorsement for our organisation and recognition of the hard work and dedication of our wider team and network.

“Being able to strengthen our work locally by reaching out globally is an important part of the work we do behind the scenes.”

Following the success of the Irish tour, producer Catherine Gray invited Máirin to launch TechFoundHer in LA by co-hosting their InnovateHer Too event earlier this month.

The round table event brought together a group of thought leaders, tech entrepreneurs and advocates to tackle a critical issue in the global tech ecosystem: the underrepresentation of women starting and leading tech companies. 

The event, co-hosted by Máirin on behalf of TechFoundHer, Lata Setty (a serial tech entrepreneur and pioneering investor dedicated to transforming the venture capital industry) and Catherine Gray (founder of She Angels investors and Show Her The Money producer) focused on developing strategies to empower more women to launch and scale their own tech ventures. 

Máirin explained: “I was delighted to get the opportunity to co-host this event and work with a group of enthusiastic and passionate women who are committed to changing the tech world for women entrepreneurs.

“The event allowed us to discuss some of the key systemic challenges women encounter whilst sharing our own current projects and experiences.”

Máirin was also a key speaker at the Show Her The Money 100 City Worldwide Tour Finale in West Hollywood, as part of the international powerhouse women panel discussing the landscape for women founders in Ireland and throughout the rest of the UK and Europe with the audience.

She said: “This is our moment! There is an opportunity for women founders regardless of background to harness the power of tech to innovate and scale businesses. It’s an incredible time with women innovators and investors working together to organise globally so women entrepreneurs have the opportunity to fully contribute”

“We hear the same excuses over and over again—that women aren’t applying for funding or that there’s a lack of scalable ideas coming from women.  The ‘pipeline’ excuse doesn’t wash. We are working to create a tidal wave of women entrepreneurs who are building tech solutions. “ 

“We’re dealing with entrenched stereotypes of what an ‘investable’ founder looks like—what a tech entrepreneur looks like – often a young, white, tech-savvy male. But women tech founders are here, we’re innovating, and we’re ambitious. What we need is the funding and an ecosystem that enables us to thrive.”

TechFoundHer concludes its US tour in the Bay area of San Francisco this week at a think tank hosted by Lata Setty of How Women Invest “The New Table”. Máirin was the guest speaker at the  event with tech leaders and investors focussed on bringing TechFoundHer’s mission to the US and driving equity for women tech entrepreneurs.

Speaking about why she hosted the event Lata said:  “It’s time to break barriers and reimagine women in tech. Máirín Murray, Founder of TechFoundHer and Innovation Labs champions connection, capital and community across the British Isles, and is now bringing her “Mairin Magic” to America to embolden female tech ‘treps navigate the tech world with grit and grace.”

Speaking at the reception Mairin added “The ability to innovate, the ambition to build, and the commitment to succeed are spread across all genders, yet funding remains overwhelmingly skewed in favour of men.

“Women tech founders are here, and we are ready, but we are not being seen. As a result, we are not progressing at the same rate as our male counterparts. The time for excuses is over.”

The TechFoundHer American launch comes on the back of TechFoundHer’s latest programme launch. 

The Innovation Labs programme which is funded through the Shared Island initiative, a collaboration supported by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland, began earlier this month and will see 35 women entrepreneurs from both Ireland and Northern Ireland learn how to leverage emerging technologies such as AI, low-code/no-code tools,  to overcome business challenges, optimise workflows, and accelerate product development. 

“The Innovation Labs programme isn’t just for women who have tech industry experience, it will support all women regardless of their tech knowledge. We’re  busting the myths surrounding the idea that you need to be able to code to start a company that creates a tech driven product or service” explained Máirin.

For more information go to techfoundher.com

Nostalgia To Take Centre Stage At Next Month’s Big Marketing Meet Up

The third bi-annual Big Marketing Meet Up event is set to feature several speeches from fantastic big-hitters in the sector, including four recently announced professionals, all of whom have links to the spotlight.

Taking place inside of the ICC, Belfast on November 14, ticket holders will be treated to plenty of networking, learning and development opportunities.

Known for offering brilliant line-ups, the day-long feat provides talks on everything from topical issues faced by marketers to future projections on how the industry is likely to change. 

Kicking off the newly announced line-up, Abigail Dixon is an award-winning marketer and marketing consultant boasting more than two decades’ worth of experience in growing brands. She is the founder, author and podcast host of The Whole Marketer.

The Marketing Week columnist devotes her career to ensuring that any brands, businesses and individuals she works with are granted both fulfilling and successful careers, with her speech promising to shine a light on how this can be achieved.

Highlighting the ever-changing sector, and the imperative talents needed to make it big, Abigail said: “Marketing has evolved in the last decade from a support function to the one leading or starting to the long term commercial agenda of the organisation. 

“Therefore, as marketers to stand in our power, we need to develop a holistic set of skills to grow the brand and businesses of tomorrow.”

Also appearing on November 14, David Levin will delve into the unlikely life behind the scenes of celebrities, namely the experiences of famous faces’ marketers. 

Explaining what attendees can expect from his entertaining talk, David said: “Having spent most of this year managing the socials for a sportsperson of the legendary variety, I will make my BMMU debut with a deep-dive into the things we can all learn from the sports sector on social media. 

“The presentation will tackle areas such as authenticity, iconic writing and creative community management.

“I will look at how Cristiano Ronaldo amassed a billion followers, how Olympic medalists from NI broke the internet and how weird it is posting as a sports legend while you’re in the cheese aisle at Sainsbury’s.”

Samantha Kelly is the third speaker to be announced by BMMU organisers, a name which many amongst the social media will already be well-acquainted with thanks to her 70,000 followers and authored title ‘The Little Book of Twitter Magic’.

Dubbed as one of the top X (formerly known as Twitter) experts, Samantha is proficient in all forms of social media strategy, helping businesses stand out in an ever-saturated sector, including creating a curated community.

Completing the celebrity-focused schedule is none other than Hollywood child star and famed actress Alison Arngrim, who most notably featured in the show Little House on the Prairie.

Appearing on the 50th anniversary of the show, Alison will join BMMU to chat with Social Media Strategist Samantha Kelly about the power of nostalgia in social media.

She said: “This is the craziest thing in the world, shockaroo, I’m Irish and I’m coming for a visit home, if you’ll have me, to tell you all about playing the evil Nellie Olesen in Little House.” 

To find out more about the programme and to secure earlybird tickets, go to bmmubelfast.com

From Mentee To Mentor: Simon Mills’ Journey With Enterprise NI

Having worked at the forefront of the industry for several decades, creating a business centred on music creation was a natural progression for County Antrim’s Simon Mills.

Hailing originally from Nottingham, England, Simon moved to Northern Ireland fifteen years ago in 2009 amidst a successful career as one half of electronica group Bent, which the musician still pursues currently, where his role as a sound engineer has come into its own.

After a string of solo and group musical releases, the reality of royalty cuts and contractual percentage agreements left the 50 year old Economically Inactive. 

Speaking on why he undertook the Explore Enterprise Support Service, Simon said: “My income went quite low, because a lot of my royalties that I would get on Spotify ended up straight into the back pocket of Sony.

“I realised I was going to have to think of a different plan on top of just releasing new music, so I got in touch with the Ballymena Business Centre, and it kind of went from there, really.”

The Explore Enterprise Support Service was set up by Enterprise NI and the Prince’s Trust. The service aims to help people across Northern Ireland who are economically inactive to develop their entrepreneurial and employability skills through tailored mentoring and training. 

The Explore Enterprise Support Service has received £1.8m from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.  

Paired with Ballymena Business Centre mentor Lawrence Greer, the business idea that had sparked within Simon’s self-professed unorganised brain began to have substance.

Explaining how the mentorship helped him and his subsequent business, Simon said: “It helped me just sit down and work out how I’m going to sell all this and pitch it, and then who am I pitching it to.

“It allowed me to have some kind of a plan, being able to make an overview and work out who my target customers were, and even things like pricing.”

Using his skills to finesse creative output from other musicians and bands, ranging from novices to those with record deals, Simon’s business offers mixing and mastering services to enhance this output to the level where it is good enough to be released commercially. 

Following his experience receiving support from Lawrence, Simon spotted an opportunity to offer his own form of mentoring in the shape of helping musicians through what can often be a minefield of available software.

The flexible structure provided by Explore Enterprise was a particularly beneficial aspect for the County Antrim resident in his entrepreneurial journey, reducing the formality often associated with such services and instead enabling time for development.

Simon said: “I didn’t feel like I was put into a rigid program. It’s organic and it fits everybody, because everybody’s got a different situation going on.

“For me, I didn’t have to change too much to get the wheels turning a little bit more, and Lawrence was great as well, because he was really detailed and focused.

“He was really good at finding my weak spots and sort of helping me there, which I still struggle with. 

“I’m terrible at financial organisation, but Explore Enterprise grabbed my brain and organised me a bit.”

Lawrence’s impact was a profound one for Simon, with the relaxed approach resonating well with the music whiz, enabling him to progress at his own pace without any external, or internal, pressure.

Identifying what his favourite part of Explore Enterprise was, Simon said: “I think the main highlight for me really was something as simple as just being able to sit down with someone. 

“Lawrence had this little office, which is like a shed within a shop, which was kind of quite crazy, you know, but it was just nice to go in there and just focus on something each week if there’s no specific thing that I think stood out.

“It’s just been so nice. And he’s been messaging me, actually, to keep up with me and see how things are going.”

As with many other people who involve themselves, Explore Enterprise was invaluable in taking an intangible idea into a profitable business for Simon.

He said: “I just think it’s worth doing. If you’ve got an idea and you’ve been mulling it over for a while, I think it’s a really good course to go and do because it helps you visualise the overall view of it.

“I think having all those different modules that you can experience, it’s a great thing to do  because everyone’s got a blind spot and it just helps inform you of whether your ideas are realistic or not.

“It’s been a really, really positive experience overall.”

For more information on Enterprise NI go to www.enterpriseni.com