Paul Partnership Small Business Start-Ups 2012

Paul Partnership Small Business Start — Ups event took place in the Absolute last week as part of Limerick Business Week and was a great success. The event began with a presentation on 2010 Paul Partnership Enterprise Clients — How are they Doing Now? by Helen Fitzgerald and Claire Gallery of Paul Partnership. The results of this survey were very positive with many businesses that were set up in 2010 still trading and performing reasonably well in the current market place. With a success rate of 64% of clients surveyed still operating today we see that the potential for succeeding in starting up your own business as very achievable. The morning then continued with three self-employed people taking about their personal experiences, Brendan Mc Keon, DQS Certification Ireland, Dr. Nikki Darman, CEO Polish Language Centre and Siobhan Downey of Zen Blooms. The audience thoroughly enjoyed this section of the event as the stories had relatable elements in them. The winners of ‘Grow your own Business Award’, Leona O’ Callaghan of Kids Play Bus and Yvonne Fahy of Yvonne Fahy Photography were presented with their prize of Consultation and Mentoring to the value of €1,000 by sponsor of the prize, Limericks very own Gaye Moore, Business Consultant and Mentor. Both Leona and Yvonne are delighted at the opportunity of working with Gaye. The event finished up with round table discussions on elements of setting up and developing a new business which were facilitated by experienced and professional mentors, Gaye Moore, Gillian Horan of Business Consults, Ger Sheehan of Lulu’s Cafe, Derry O’Malley of Cadbury Clinic and Roy Finucane of Tax Assist Accountants. Overall the event was successful and informative, both the research presented and the topics and themes raised at round table discussions painted a clear and positive picture of Small Business Start Ups in Limerick City. To see a video of the day go to ILoveLimerick.com and for more info visit www.PaulPartnership.ie.