Enterprise in the Country Events
Local case studies: Monica McGeary, IMM – Tailored Market Development, Ruth-Ann McKavanagh, Fruitvale Woodcraft, Tish Dorman/Donna Devlin, Moon and Spoon
Agenda:
9.30am Registration and networking opportunity
10.00 am Welcome Ethna McNamee, Invest NI Western Office
10.05 am MC - Richard Wright, BBC
10.10 am Keynote speakers Beryl Otley/Sarah Rhodes, Get Ahead Hats
11.00 am Monica McGeary, IMM – Tailored Market Development
11.10 am Ruth-Ann McKavanagh, Fruitvale Woodcraft
11.20 am Tish Dorman/Donna Devlin, Moon and Spoon
11.30 am Panel discussion and Q & A
12.00 pm Lunch and networking opportunity
9.30am Registration and networking opportunity
10.00 am Welcome Des Gartland, Invest NI North East Office
10.05 am MC - Richard Wright, BBC
10.10 am Keynote speakers Beryl Otley/Sarah Rhodes, Get Ahead Hats
11.00 am Rosemary Cowan, Barefruit Products
11.10 am Tracy Hamilton, Mash Direct
11.20 am Coleen Lowry, Blessingbourne Estate
11.30 am Panel discussion and Q & A
12.00 pm Lunch and networking opportunity
What it is about
The New Pathways to Female Entrepreneurship Pathfinding Programme aims to create enterprise awareness among women
from different sectors. These two events are targeting women
from rural communities with a view to encouraging them to
consider starting a business. These events are part-financed by
the European Social Fund under the Northern Ireland
Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity.
Speaker profile
Get Ahead Hats is a very successful and profitable co-operative- franchise run for & by farmers’ wives.
This award winning business was started 22 years ago by Beryl Otley on a farm near York and has grown to 23 outlets from Devon to the Scottish Borders.
Seven years ago Sarah Rhodes, one of the original members, took over the Primary Franchise licence for Get Ahead Hats U.K. and now runs the head office from Great Harwood in Lancashire, with Beryl staying on as a consultant.
Over the past 10 years we have launched between 1 and 4 new showrooms annually - all in country locations
In Jan 2004 to cope with our ongoing expansion, large new training rooms/ stock rooms/ showrooms and dedicated offices were opened at Great Harwood.
Like most good new business ideas Get Ahead Hats was developed from a simple need that proved a great opportunity. The opportunity was grasped and developed into a nationwide highly profitable chain of franchised showrooms in urban settings.
To get involved register your event and make sure it is part of the Enterprise Week 2007 calendar.
