Hello guys, I hope you had a wonderful weekend, nice to see the sunshine starting to make an appearance isn’t it ☀️
I’m trilled to be writing todays blog post, as I sit in our room in the gorgeous G Hotel in Galway, myself and Dylan are on a little break away (thank you to the G Hotel for inviting us) to fill you all in on the Image Awards that took place on Friday.
The Image PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards has been running for 15 years. These awards champions businesswomen’s contribution to the Irish economy and their vital role within the Irish business community at home and abroad. These awards demonstrate how talented, enterprising and resilient Irish women are.
I was notified a number of weeks ago that I was shortlisted for the Entrepreneur of the Year category. Just to be shortlisted was such a highlight for me. These awards are so prestigious and widely recognised and I really was very honoured to considered for this award.
I love everything about these awards and what they stand for. As women, we face so many challenges in the workplace and over the years we really have come such a long way. Not to say that the challenges we have faced have completely diminished, but we have really paved the way for a better future for women in business. Showing that we are as good as the men. We can run successful businesses. We can motivate and drive people. We are to be respected and honoured. Some of the categories on Friday included: Start-Up of the Year, Young Businesswoman of the Year, Digital & Technology Businesswoman of the Year, Sustainability Champion of the Year, Family Businesswoman of the Year and Diversity and Inclusion Businesswoman of the Year (just to name a few). That is such an incredible calibre of industries all lead by inspiring women.
I was honoured to receive the award for ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the IMAGE PWC Business Woman of the Year Awards 2023🎉
Winning this award truly means so much to me and my team. I mentioned in my speech on Friday, it’s been tough in business with lots of highs and lows along the years, particularly through Covid and the DHA regulations but I am very lucky to have such an incredible team of women behind me across SOSU Cosmetics and Dripping Gold. I strongly believe that if you go after something with pure determination, honourable intentions and passion, you will succeed. My mantra is ‘bite the apple and learn how to chew later’ and I really believe that just doing something that I love so much has lead me to where I am today.
Of course I am nothing without my amazing team, supportive family, friends and husband. And you the customer – I am forever thankful for you.
Also to thank is my mum. My mum taught me very early on in life to always chase your dream. Find something your passionate about and chase it. It’s not about chasing the money, its about chasing the passion that burns inside you, I am so grateful to have my mum and my dad behind me every step of the way and for their continued support.
The night consisted of a wonderful welcome drinks reception with entertainment from the electric violinist Aoife Kelly as you entered. We were welcomed into the most stunning dining area and gifted a gorgeous goodie bag from The White Company.
The amazing Irish Women in Harmony opened the stage and oh my god, they are really incredible! Such beautiful, talented ladies. The Irish Women in Harmony is a collective of Irish female artists who have come together to support one another both creatively and practically and on the night we were so lucky to see Ruth Anne, Aimee, Erica Cody, Una Healy and Loah perform for us.
We were served a beautiful 3 course meal and I know how hard it can be to put on events so I really mean it when I say how well the night ran. It was so smooth. There was over 850 people in attendance. Some of the other guests on the night were: Fiona Parfrey, Lauren Duggan and Áine Kilkenny, Co-founders of Riley who were the winners of Start-Up of the Year, Onagh Chira, CEO of Platinum Hair Extensions who was the winner of Young Businesswoman of the Year, Aine Kennedy who was in the category for Start-Up of the Year for her brand the Smooth Company and Kim O’Sullivan, Director and Owner, The Dublin Makeup Academy who was in the category of Creative Business Woman of the Year – just to name a few.
I was in great company on Friday and it was so lovely to be able to meet and connect with like-minded business women. There were some really amazing winners on the night, click here to read some of the most inspiring quotes from the winners.
I just want to say a massive thank you to IMAGE and PwC for having me, my family and some of my team in attendance and again – thank you for the award, it really means so much.
Congratulations to all the nominees & winners on Friday – what an inspiring room full of women in business! and thank you once again to IMAGE & PWC for such a fantastic night 🏆🙌🏽
Details of the night:
Hair: Red Velvet Hair by Jane Walsh
Make Up: Ben Sun
Dress: Dolce and Gabbana in Brown Thomas
Photo Credit: Kieran Harnett for IMAGE
