Food Entrepreneur Domini Kemp, Tara McCarthy from Bord Bia, Sarah Nic Lochlainn of Aruna Sauces, John Fagan, BIM Seafood Technologist and Shane McGee, Food Product Development at Errigal Seafood are just some of the high profile speakers lined up for the Food Section of this year’s Enterprising Donegal Business Week.
Running from Monday 4th March to Friday 8th March in various venues across the county, the Enterprise Week offers advice for all types of Business Start-ups. All events are free to attend but registration is essential. The Food discussions take place mainly on Wednesday but all workshops apply to all types of businesses.
Organised by Donegal County Enterprise Board, in conjunction with its enterprise partners in Donegal, the aim of the week-long programme of events is to inspire and motivate people to consider starting their own business and to provide a learning and networking forum for those already in business.
"Donegal Business Week is now firmly established in the business calendar of Donegal and offers an annual opportunity for people in business and those thinking about starting a business, to make some time to hear how others have overcome obstacles or seized opportunities to either develop their business or achieve in their lives." said Micheal Tunney, CEO Donegal County Enterprise Board. "This year again we have organised in conjunction with our Enterprise Partners a range of speakers, events, workshops and seminars all aimed at providing opportunities for learning and networking with the ultimate objective of assisting you in improving your business and in turn the economy of our county."
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| Michael Tunney, CEO Donegal County Enterprise Board |
The Main aims of the Donegal County Enterprise Board are:
• To act as the First Point of Contact for business information and advice in Donegal.
• To promote entrepreneurship and an enterprise culture within Donegal.
• To assist in the establishment and development of micro businesses in Donegal.
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| Domini Kemp speaks on Wednesday morning |
Domini Kemp
Domini trained as a chef at Leith's in London before returning to co-writing New Irish Cooking and working in the Michelin-starred Peacock Alley. In 1999, along with her sister Peaches, she opened the hugely popular “itsa bagel” in Dublin. Since then they have grown the business to seven “itsa” stores and three “itsa” cafes, including itsa@IMMA, and The Tea Rooms in Dublin Castle. The sisters have expanded into other areas, including FEAST Catering, an outdoor catering and event management company, and they are resident wedding and corporate caterers in Powerscourt House. Domini is a food-writer for The Irish Times and last year published her third cookbook, "Domini at Home, How I like to cook". The sisters won the IMAGE “Businesswoman of the Year” award in November 2009 and were nominated as one of the Finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, in 2011.
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| Tara McCarthy, Director of Consumer Foods Division for Bordbia |
Tara McCarthy
Tara is a Commerce graduate with a Masters in Marketing and now works as a Director of Consumer Foods Division for Bordbia. She spent 10 years overseas in Germany and then managing Bord Bia’s Paris office. Since her return to Ireland, Tara has led a number of key Bord Bia initiatives including Pathways for Growth, creating a business plan for the Irish food industry. She oversaw "Marketplace International", the largest ever new business development support programme for the Irish food industry – resulting in €30m in new business. Tar also led the team at Food Works, a partnership initiative with EI and Teagasc searching for the next generation of Irish food entrepreneurs. Tara’s team covers the fish, dairy, prepared foods, alcohol and small business sectors.
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| Sarah and her husband Sarajit run Aruna Sauces |
Sarah Nic Lochlainn
Sarah met Sarajit Chanda in 1999 while both were working in Sydney. They married and moved to Dublin in 2001. In 2005 they opened award winning Fuchsia House Restaurant in Ardee. Ma Aruna’s Chicken Curry Aruna, soon emerged as the most popular dish on their menu and they started selling directly to the public in the restaurant and at farmers’ markets. In 2010 they won gold and bronze at the Blas na hEireann Awards. The Aruna range now consists of 8 traditional sauces.
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| Shane McGee, New Product Development at Errigal Seafoods |
Shane McGee
Errigal Seafood has been a supplier of quality seafood to leading retail, wholesale, and food service businesses internationally for 50 years. The business is committed to research, development and innovation of operations, products, processes and service to clients. Shane joined the business as an International Culinary Enterprise graduate in 2009. With his culinary background he works within Errigal to develop new products and innovative processes. In 2012 Errigal Seafoods was awarded Seafood Exporter of the Year by the Irish Exporters’ Association.
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| John Fagan is the Senior Food Technologist at BIM and Teagasc |
John Fagan
John Fagan is the Senior Food Technologist at BIM and Teagasc where his role is to ensure that small and medium Irish food businesses have access to world-class knowledge which can be transferred from research to reality. He works very closely with food businesses and specialises in new product development, innovative packaging, ingredients, shelf-life and processing technologies. He has a BSc Fisheries and a Masters in Seafood Science and is attached to the Seafood Development Centre in Clonakilty. John has international links with experts in food technologies. He has helped numerous start-up and existing entrepreneurs with new and innovative ideas to differentiate their products whilst ensuring marketability, food safety and taste.
Here is the Full list of Events for the Enterprise Week which runs from Monday 4th to Friday 8th March 2013. All events are Free, but you must register to attend.
TIME
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TOPIC DESCRIPTION
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VENUE
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REGISTER
|
|---|
Monday 4th March
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9am - 12.30pm
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Starting a Business
A workshop facilitated by Gerry Moan and contributions from local entrepreneurs Michael Black, Optimal Fitness; Joseph Mangan, Mangan Tours; Mary Hannon, Hannon Green; Stephen Harris, Auto Fast Fit and Martin Hilferty, Orbit Security.
All development agencies will be in attendance to provide advice.
|
Regional Cultural Centre, Port Road, Letterkenny
| Register for this event |
12.30pm
|
Lunch
| | |
| 1.30pm - 2.30pm |
Launch of Enterprising Donegal Business Week
John Perry, TD, Minister for Small Business and Keynote Speaker Steve Redmond, Oceans7 Swimmer
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Regional Cultural Centre, Port Road, Letterkenny
|
|
| 7pm - 9pm |
“Cash Is King - Managing Your Cash Flow”
Making sure that your business has enough cash to survive. Cathal McLaughlin & Philip McGonigle, McLaughlin McGonigle, Chartered Certified Accountants
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An Grianán Hotel, Burt
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Tuesday 5th March
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| 9am - 4.30pm |
“Bringing Back the Buzz”
Jack Black, MindStore.comLet Jack motivate and inspire you, and give you practical tools to ensure you rediscover the passion for your business, a refreshed vigour and determination to succeed. Light lunch served.
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An Grianán Hotel, Burt
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|
| 7pm - 9pm |
“How to Use Social Media to Grow Your Business”
Niall Mulrine, PC Clean. Registrations to Lbrogan@dldc.org
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Finn Valley Athlethics Centre, Stranorlar
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|
| 8pm - 10pm |
Introduction to Donegal Engineering Group
Confined to engineering businesses
| Enterprise Board Offices, Letterkenny | Register for this event |
Wednesday 6th March
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| 11.30am - 12.30pm |
Guest Lecture "Entrepreneurship Education"
Professor Heidi Neck, Babson College, Massachusetts
| CoLab, LYIT | Register for this event |
| 12.30pm - 2pm |
“How I Grew My Business”
Business Lunch with Domini Kemp, Food writer and owner of itsa group of restaurants.
| Station House Hotel, Letterkenny | Register for this event |
| 6.30pm - 9.30pm |
“Developing Your Food Business”
Bord Bia’s Approach, Tara McCarthy, Director Food and Beverages DivisionCase study: Sarah Nic Lochlainn, Aruna Sauces New Product Development, John Fagan, Seafood Technologist, BIMCase study: Shane McGee, Errigal Seafood.
| Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey | Register for this event |
Thursday 7th March
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| 9.30am - 1pm |
“Inventors Workshop”
Richard O’Connor, Cruickshank and Co, Intellectual Property Attorneys. An extended workshop for inventors, designers, and entrepreneurs to get world class professional Intellectual Property, Patent, Trade Marks and Designs advice from a leading Intellectual Property Attorney. The workshop will also include practical tips and advice sessions in these valuable assets by successful entrepreneurs.
| CoLab, LYIT | Register for this event |
| 2.30pm - 4.30pm |
“Supports for Graduates Looking to Set Up Their Own Business”
This event will be of interest to any student or recent graduate who would like to set up their own business. Outline of supports available to graduates, including New Frontiers programme and case studies from those who set up their own business in the areas of Computing, Design and Business. This will be followed by a tour of the CoLab facility. Registrations to info@co-lab.ie
| CoLab, LYIT |
|
| 7pm - 9pm |
“Marketing on a Shoestring Budget”
Using the right approach to marketing can mean great things for your business without costing a fortune.
Nicola Lacey, Marketing Consultant & Lecturer
| Enterprise Board Offices, Letterkenny | Register for this event |
| 7.30pm - 9.30pm |
"Deontaisà agus tacaÃochtaà do ghónna san Ghaeltacht"
"Grants and supports for businesses in the Gaeltacht"
Daoine I láhair ó / Personnel present from Údarás na Gaeltachta, DLDC, Fáilte Ireland, WESTBIC, iFactory, Fusion agur rl.
Teagmháil: Eunan Mac Cuinneagain 074 9738333 no ecunningham@westbic.ie
| Aislann Cill Chartha, Cill Chartha, Kilcar | Register for this event |
Friday 8th March
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| 8.30am - 2pm |
“Improving Your Business Through Team Development”
Facilitated by Paul Hannigan - President of LYIT, Jim Mc Guinness - Donegal Football Manager, Brian Leslie - SeaQuest Systems, Ramona Nicholas - Cara Pharmacy
| Solis Lough Eske Castle Hotel, Donegal Town | Register for this event |
Zack
