More than 40 start up business owners from the greater Killorglin area gathered in The Manor Inn on Thursday night last in a bid to develop new contacts and to offer support and advice to each other in overcoming issues they are encountering. Organised through the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme, operated through South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd. the event was addressed by Wayne Murphy of the Accelator Programme as well as Michael Kenneally of the Department of Social Protection and Paul Murphy of the South Kerry Skillnet. The business owners were also provided with the chance to interact and learn about each other so as to open up possible links where they could work together in the future.
Addressing those present, Wayne Murphy praised the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance initiative in allowing people to work while receiving support from the state while building up their businesses. He also stressed the importance of developing a business plan, not just as a tool for accessing finance initially but as a tool to help ensure the business achieves its goals and maintains its focus. The business plan is something that should be reviewed and updated regularly he said as it is the vision, the path to success and the foundation and structure for the business. He also outlined details of the Accelator Programme and encouraged the businesses present to see if it was something that they could get involved with.
Killorglin area BTWEA Officer with SKDP Joanne Griffin said she was delighted with the turnout and the interest the businesses showed in taking advantage of the opportunity to network with and learn from each other. “Many start up businesses experience similar problems and this has given those business owners the chance to learn how others solved them and to realise they are not alone when encountering such issues” Joanne added.
It is planned to organise similar events in other parts of the county over the coming weeks and anyone interested in getting more information about the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is asked to contact Joanne Griffin in Killorglin on 066 9761615 or Anne O’Riordan in Cahersiveen on 066 9472724 or through the SKDP website www.southkerry.ie
