Gender based business supports to encourage engagement – Powerhouse Women in Business Network

By project InnoCom

Published on 11 June 2024

Ireland

Southern

Carlow

About this good practice

The Powerhouse Women in Business Network is a community of women entrepreneurs and professionals committed to supporting and empowering each other. The network offers a platform for women to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge and resources through regular networking events, workshops, and mentorship programs. These initiatives help women build skills, grow businesses, and advance careers.

The network provides a supportive community for sharing experiences, challenges, and successes, enabling members to gain valuable insights and support. It is a valuable resource for women looking to grow their businesses and careers while connecting with a supportive community of peers.

The Powerhouse Women in Business Network fosters continuous growth and development through workshops, mentorship, and collaborative events. Members can expand their skill sets, gain industry insights, and stay updated on trends and practices in entrepreneurship and professional development. Whether learning about marketing strategies, financial management, or leadership skills, the network offers a supportive environment for knowledge exchange and learning from experts.

By connecting with a diverse community of peers and mentors, members access valuable resources, guidance, and perspectives to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities. This model could be adopted by agencies supporting female entrepreneurs in Europe.

Resources needed

The programme is managed by a staff member of the Local Enterprise Office.
The Powerhouse Women in Business Network relies primarily on funding from the Carlow County Council Local Enterprise Office, which allocates an annual budget of approximately €35,000 to support its initiatives.

Evidence of success

The Powerhouse network has seen remarkable growth, with monthly participation rising to 60 entrepreneurs, and larger events drawing up to 200 attendees, including the recent Powerhouse Picnic spanning across 16 counties of Ireland. Currently, the network has 350 affiliated women in the network.

Collaborative programs like the EmpowerHER Business Builder Programme have further empowered entrepreneurs. Additionally, the Powerhouse Awards celebrate women's achievements.

Potential for learning or transfer

The Powerhouse Women in Business Network model offers valuable insights for supporting female entrepreneurs in Europe. It emphasises connection, skill-building, a supportive environment, continuous growth, and a diverse community. Implementing tailored programs, partnerships, feedback mechanisms, and targeted marketing can aid agencies in empowering female entrepreneurs through learning and collaboration.

To build a strong attendee base, we offered branded items at events and encouraged word-of-mouth promotion. Hosting engaging events tailored to the audience's interests to boost network visibility i.e. when sourcing speakers & MC's ensure that it is suitable for the audiences needs and requirements.