Monday March 8th Is International Women's Day...

.. And we want to shine a light on businesswomen in Waterford who are making a difference.

We've teamed up with Network Ireland Waterford and AIB Business Banking Waterford to showcase 10 different women and their businesses, which you can learn more about below.

Also listen in to Déise Today every morning this week to hear from the women involved.

AIB Business Banking Waterford is proud to be supporting Network Ireland Waterford for International Women's Day and the global theme of #ChooseToChallenge. Network Ireland’s support and commitment to their members is synonymous with AIB’s purpose to back our customers to achieve their dreams and ambitions. The significance that Network Ireland places on community is shared by AIB, and we reflect this in our commitment to our customers. AIB has a long standing relationship with Network Ireland branches across the Country and is part of our commitment to advancing and enabling women in business and communities across Ireland. Events such as International Women's Day signify the tremendous work Network Ireland Members undertake across Ireland to support businesses and communities to thrive and grow. AIB is delighted to be supporting Network Ireland Waterford and we wish all the participants and members continued success on International Women's Day.

Éadaoin Carrick - Co-Owner and Director of Cantec

Éadaoin is co-owner and director of

Cantec, a multi faceted business which was founded in Waterford in 1994. Cantec provides Managed Print Services and Business Process Automation Solutions nationwide and includes a design & marketing agency. Éadaoin has trained in Computer Programming and has studied Business at WIT. A mum of 2, she spends her free time getting out for fresh air, enjoying good food with friends, and scouring antiques auctions with her husband. Éadaoin is on the Board of the Symphony Club of Waterford, is a friend of Theatre Royal Waterford, and was elected President of Network Ireland’s Waterford Branch in January 2021.

Kate Delahunty - Relationship Manager in Commercial Banking AIB

Kate manages a portfolio of

AIB's business customers in the South East across a range of industries, working closely with her customers to understand their individual business needs and identify suitable solutions for their financial requirements. With 15 years’ experience in Banking, Kate has worked across a number of different relationship management roles including Corporate Banking and Restructuring. Kate is a mum to 2 young boys and in addition to spending time with her family, she enjoys running and cycling.

Aisling Finn - The Book Resort

The Book Resort

is an Irish book subscription & gift box company that sends luxury boxes, beautifully presented with wonderful new books, delicious chocolate & an artisan wellness surprise to book lovers every day. Subscriptions and a range of once off boxes are available with a handwritten card included if you wish. All of The Book Resort's suppliers are Irish (even their boxes are Made in Ireland) and they are delighted to offer customers free delivery in Ireland (including Northern Ireland). Fabulous products, exceptional customer service and 100% Irish owned.

Baya Salmon-Hawk - Baya The Storyteller

Baya is a Transformational Storyteller, originally from France. She now works online all over the world from the International Storytelling Festival in Chenai, India to the European Ceiligh in Amsterdam via the month long Winter's Last Festival, in Edinburgh. She says she has never travelled so much in her life and is looking forward to working in London, France and New York in the near future!

Derbhile Graham - WriteWords Editorial

Derbhile Graham is a published author. She has published a novel called The Pink Cage, as well as short stories, memoir and journalism. Writing brings meaning to Derbhile’s life. The other thing that brings meaning to her life is helping other people to write, to discover the power of words. With

WriteWords, her mission is to help people use words to improve the quality of their lives. She offers one-to-one and group training to writers, entrepreneurs and community organisations to give them the skills and confidence to share their stories with the world.

Ciara Hennebry - Croía Ireland

Waterford native Ciara Hennebry is the founder of

Croía Ireland, the nation’s one stop shop for buying Irish online. Croía makes sure that shopping local and supporting Irish is as simple as possible and can be done from the comfort of one’s own home through an accessible user- friendly space. The team at Croía are passionate about empowering small Irish businesses and developing the Irish economy, they want their customers to fully comprehend the difference they can make by making a conscious effort to shop local. At Croía Ireland, they handpick the finest quality products for customers, so they can in turn show their support for real people with dreams and get behind local communities by maintaining and creating jobs, further strengthening our economy. To date Croía has over 100 suppliers to choose from on website and stock everything from gift sets to homeware and clothing so there is something for everyone. The online marketplace was founded by young entrepreneur Ciara Hennebry from Rathgormack Co. Waterford out of a passion and desire to help Irish businesses. Ciara is no stranger to running a business as she launched her first business “Comeragh Trekking” aged 16. Ciara launched Croía Ireland in November 2020 and with sales every day, the platform is having a positive effect on the Irish economy. Ciara now manages a team of 15, all young women under the age of 25. Ciara aims to have 1,000 suppliers by the end of 2021 and continue to help and grow Irish businesses over the coming years.

Karen Murphy - Murphy Larkin Timber Products

Karen Murphy is part of the team at

Murphy Larkin Timber Products and based in head-office in Tramore. A small company, employing 20 people, Murphy Larkin Timber Products supply and install internal & external doors and flooring. Karen is responsible for managing the financial and office department along with assisting in performance improvement, and operations strategy and under Karen's guidance, they company was successful in achieving Top 30 Retail Stores in Ireland with Retail Excellence in 2020. The team at Murphy Larkin are passionate about their business and keen to continually customer UX through an omnichannel approach. Karen is 1 of 7 children and lives in beautiful Tramore with her husband Ger and their 3 boys. Karen loves baking, reading and getting her Pepper Hustle on whenever she can grab 20 minutes to herself.

Mailo Power - Monkey Reusable Products Ltd.

Managing Director of

Monkey Reusable Products Ltd, Mailo's passion is to help turn the tide on single-use disposables by developing a range of colourful and stylish reusable alternatives. Since launching at Showcase Ireland in 2019 Monkey Cups have become a leading brand in the reusable coffee cup and water bottle market both in retail and custom branding corporate sectors, exporting to clients in England, France and USA. Mailo is a board member of Garter Lane Arts Centre.

Ann-Marie Deady - AM Deady Design

Ann-Marie Deady is the proud owner of

AM Deady Design, a graphic design studio specialising in Branding Identity, Illustration and Social Media Styling. Ann-Marie's style is very feminine friendly and tailored towards mostly women-led small to medium enterprises. She is hugely passionate about helping women bring their design dreams to life and building relationships along the way. International Women's Day is very important to Ann-Marie as she has previously worked with female entrepreneur Nicki Hoyne of My Shining Armour who taught her invaluable skills about women in business. This year, Ann-Marie plans to release an International Women's Day A4 print which she will sell through her website encouraging women to support one another and send to important women in your life.

Irene Treacy - Helping People With Parkinson's

Irene Treacy provides personal one on one and group coaching to people with Parkinson's. This includes a wide range of services to improve hope, education, mobility, balance, confidence and in general make her clients happier than they were. Irene is a certified practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming, PD Warror, Parkinson's Regeneration Trained, smoveyMED practitioner and certified Yoga and Meditation Teacher. She is also a student of Somatics and studying to be a Holistic Councillor. Irene offers all courses and treatments in her studio in Tramore Co. Waterford and also offers online support. You can contact Irene through

[email protected] if you'd like further information about any services or check out helpingpeoplewithparkinsons.com for personal testimonials.