A networking night on Thursday last for all clients in the Killarney area who are on the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance and Short Term Enterprise Allowance Scheme has opened up new business opportunities for many of them. The event, run by South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd. (SKDP), is aimed at enabling the new entrepreneurs make contact with other businesses at a similar stage and develop compatible opportunities through working together. The event was held in the Gleneagle Hotel.
Among the speakers that addressed the entrepreneurs were SKDP’s CEO Noel Spillane, Colm Healy of Skellig Chocolates, Micheal Kenneally of the Department of Social Protection and Paul Murphy of South Kerry Skillnets.
Opening proceedings, Colm Healy invited all of those present to introduce themselves to the others. SKDP Enterprise Officer Anne O’Riordan said that “this was not just an excellent ice – breaker but it was an extremely beneficial relationship building activity in its own right which clients found very invigorating, informative and motivating”.
Mr. Healy went on to suggest to the business owners that they needed to be their own customers and to evaluate what they do through the eyes of a customer so as to ensure they are providing what the customer needs and expects. “Aim for the moon and you may hit the sky but aim for the top of the building and you might never get off the ground” was his advice to them in developing their businesses in the future. He also said that it is vital that they, as business owners, believe in what they do.
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.
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.
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.
