More than 50 small business owners from the Greater Killorglin area attended a Networking Night in the Manor Inn on Thursday last as part of an initiative to encourage them to develop new beneficial links and establish new business opportunities amongst themselves. The initiative was organised through the Back to Work and Short Term Enterprise Allowance schemes administered by South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd. Amongst the speakers at the event were SKDP CEO Noel Spillane, Colm Healy owner of Skellig Chocolates, Gail McCarthy from the Department of Social Protection and Paul Murphy of SKDP Skillnets.
In his address, Colm Healy pointed out that business owners must have confidence in what they do and not to undervalue what they do and what they are worth. He also stressed to the business owners the importance of having a business plan and a strategic plan as he pointed out that if you don’t know where you are going, you can’t get there. Mr. Healy also emphasised the need for a business to decide on the end goal.
SKDP CEO Noel Spillane pointed out that on-going support to small businesses is vitally important – particularly in the early years of the business. “This support can be the difference between success and failure” he added. He said that there tends to be a focus by agencies on supporting new business start-ups – but it is vitally important that those that are supported to establish a business can access on-going supports if they are to survive beyond the initial start up phase, enable them to grow the business and prosper. Noel added that networking evenings such as this are important in terms of ensuring that small businesses are aware of these continuing supports and how they can access them as well as giving them an opportunity to establish new business contacts with other small business owners in their area..
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance and the Short Term Enterprise Allowance schemes offer qualifying people the chance to retain all or some of their social welfare entitlements for a period while they are setting up the business. In addition, other assistance such as grant aid for training or for capital elements relating to the business may be available. To date this year some 130 people in South Kerry have availed of the schemes.
Organiser of last Thursday night’s event, Enterprise Officer Joanne Griffin said that she received phenomenal feedback from her clients since the event and they found the presentations very informative and motivating.
For further information on the schemes please contact Enterprise Officers Anne O’Riordan for the Cahersiveen or Killarney areas on 066 9472724 or Joanne Griffin for the Killorglin and Kenmare areas on 066 9761615. You can also check out www.southkerry.ie. Further such networking evenings are planned for other areas of South Kerry later in the year.
