Festival of Female Entrepreneurs
It was wonderful to be back in a room full of founders and supporters at the Festival of Female Entrepreneurs in partnership with Enterprise Nation and Meta Dublin last week. Fireside chats and panels on the day included topics like building your profile online, raising finance and investment, working smarter, and building resilience.
It was a pleasure to speak on the finance panel ‘How, Why, and When to raise Money’ with long-time supporters of AwakenHub, Lorraine Green, AIB, and Rose Kervick, Accountant Online; along with Suzanne Sweeney, SBCI and our moderator Niamh Sterling, HBAN.
Conversations, questions, and networking were in full flow. Meeting so many AwakenHub community members and SheGenerate founders was the icing on the cake. Special shout out to Jacqui Meskell, Lara and Zara Quail, Pauline Logan, Elaine Burke, Charlie Taylor, and so many more I met in person for the first time.
My takeaways from the day:
“You have all the conditions to be successful here and now. Go for it” - Yevheniia Lukash
“Ask for what you need, consider all your costs and that things take longer than you think” - Lorraine Greene, AIB
“Build relationships with media and journalists from the beginning, and stay in touch” - Elaine Burk, Silicon Republic
“Always find the angle” - Charlie Taylor, Business Post
“Everyone has a story. Start today” - Samantha Kelly, Women Inspire Network
My key tips from the finance panel:
We do not emerge fully formed as start-up owners, it takes time and find support wherever you can.
Always bring another woman with you, bring three.
Build the board you can't afford now, seek out smart individuals who can help you along the way. It does not have to be that formal of an arrangement.
If people help you on your journey, say thanks, stay in touch, and follow up. They are invested in you and want to know how you are doing, 1, 3, and 5 years down the road. Don't presume they are no longer of any value to you.
Join AwakenHub and sign up for updates to our Angel Syndicate, Awaken Angels Fund.
Thank you all for the positive feedback, the applause and so many fantastic conversations.
Onwards gang!