In Women We Trust …
Órla Tobin, Head of Goodbody Private, and Jane and Sarah McDonnell, founders of THE GLOSS, hosted their sixth “In Women We Trust” event on October 2 in Co Kilkenny at Mount Juliet. More than 50 guests, female founders and women in business from Co Kilkenny, Co Clare and surrounds, joined Goodbody’s all-female wealth advisory team for a panel discussion over a delicious autumnal lunch in the newly Michelin starred Lady Helen restaurant.
As a financial services firm encompassing wealth management, asset management, an investment bank and Capital Partners for over 150 years, Goodbody has been a steadfast advisor to businesses and individuals across Ireland and beyond. Goodbody’s female-focused Invest in You initiative, an entire section of THE GLOSS website dedicated to helping women sort out their finances, has garnered hundreds of thousands of views and engagements via the online hub and on social media.
‘In Women We Trust’ events celebrate female leaders, marking their achievements and providing an opportunity for them to speak frankly about their roles, the challenges of funding their businesses and their own attitudes to money. Inevitably, their candour is helpful and enlightening.
After delicious Gremillet champagne, served in the morning room, guests moved to the Lady Helen for lunch. Following the main course, Newstalk broadcaster Ciara Doherty conducted a lively panel discussion with Sinead Fitzmaurice, now Chair of AI company Nazare Point, formerly CEO of Transfermate, and the first Irish female CEO to lead an Irish tech company to unicorn status; Caroline Dunlea, CEO and co-founder of Co Clare-based digital agency Core Optimisation and Chair of Digital Business Ireland; and Maryjane Mulrooney who established her successful career and executive coaching business in 2020.
Speaking about her previous role at Transfermate, Sinead described the tenacity and resilience she mustered while the company was growing fast: “I felt I lived on a plane, I travelled to the US every two weeks.” Sinead now brings her skills and experience as an advisor to Nazare Point, an AI start up that has developed a unique technology that signals when hedge funds should get in and out of the market. “This alleviates risk. As always in a start-up, apart from the product, which must address a gap, the key element is the team. I believe in the team and their commitment to this technology.”
Panellist Caroline Dunlea co-founded digital marketing agency Core Optimisation in Co Clare in 2015. Now employing 60, Core Optimisation supports digital transformation and digital performance growth for businesses in Ireland and the UK. The Core group also includes international tourism and benchmarking company Wheresight and the recently acquired global PR company Clearstory International. Describing her role as “setting out the strategy, being a brand ambassador and leading the culture and delivery of projects”, Caroline emphasised the importance of keeping an open mind regarding fastmoving digital trends and in particular AI.
Career and executive coach Maryjane Mulrooney worked in the corporate world for 20 years before establishing her own business as an executive coach. Highlighting the challenges that women face at executive level, she explained that her focus on supporting women on their career development is about helping them develop resilience and confidence. “My clients often crave more balance in their lives. I help them to thrive in their roles, to position themselves for greater success and to pursue bigger opportunities if this is what they want.”
THE GLOSS | Goodbody “Invest in You” collaboration has shown that there’s a huge desire for independent financial advice for women, and the panel concurred. As Sinead Fitzmaurice explained: “I was so immersed in the business, I forgot that side of things. It was only when I stopped working as a CEO, that I had time for personal financial planning. It’s important to start earlier – and get the right advisor to help you navigate and plan for the future. I would urge all young women to start a pension early. Financial independence is financial freedom. You need to invest in life beyond what you are doing at work.”
Dessert was followed by an “In Conversation With” special guest Sadie Chowen of the Burren Perfumery which, since 1972, has manufactured fragrances and certified organic cosmetics inspired by the beautiful Burren landscape in Co Clare. Every product is made on site, by hand, and in small batches, and sold online directly to consumers across the world or via exclusive stockists such as Avoca. Simplicity, natural ingredients and good design are at the heart of the business.
Sadie worked in Paris, New York and London before she took a trip to Ireland that would utterly change her career path – and her life. In a fascinating conversation with Ciara, Sadie described how she acquired the business in 2001, and how she has developed it into a unique – and very successful – enterprise in the heart of rural Ireland, employing 35 people and selling 130 products to consumers all over the world as well as the 60,000 visitors who come to The Burren every year.
Sadie described the benefits of operating a business that incorporated “all the things I value and love”. The acquisition of the cottage she fell in love with on her first visit to Ireland led to her meeting her husband, then to working at The Burren Perfumery. Three years later the business became hers thanks to the funds raised from selling her cottage. It has been an incredible journey, she told guests, before presenting them with a very special olfactory journey to experience themselves. Her latest initiative, Perfume Library, due to be launched in November, presents nine fragrances along with Sadie’s guide on savouring the scent and finding your favourite. So guests departed with their own little piece of The Burren Perfumery to take home.
Click into the gallery to see some of those in attendance:
Photographer: Aidona Photography