Empower Programme Podcast Kayte O'Malley

On the final episode of Series 1, host Kayte O'Malley goes back to where it all began with Empower Programme Manager, Sandra Nolan. A veteran entrepreneur in her own right, Sandra worked in fashion retail for over 20 years running Ireland's leading hat shop The Galway Hat Shop and later adding an e-commerce site www.hatshop.ie to her portfolio. 

After completing an MBA in Business Admin and Management, Sandra embarked on a new challenge and stepped into her current role as manager of the Empower Programme. Check out the full podcast to hear about her journey with the Empower Programme. 

To learn more about the Empower Programme - https://www.empowerher.ie/

On this week's podcast, Kayte O'Malley chats to entrepreneur Evy Perez about her company Gerencia Cientifica. Evy talks about applying logic to decision making, setting up a business during a pandemic and how business leaders need to start thinking in a more interdisciplinary way.

About Gerencia Cientifica

On this week's podcast, Kayte O'Malley chats to entrepreneur Evy Perez about her company Gerencia Cientifica. Evy talks about applying logic to decision making, setting up a business during a pandemic and how business leaders need to start thinking in a more interdisciplinary way.



About Gerencia Cientifica

On this week's podcast, Kayte O'Malley chats to dynamic duo Charlene Flanagan and Niamh Ryan of Ella&Jo. The ladies talk about their favourite skincare products, making time for themselves and how they navigate being in business with your best friend.

About Ella & Jo

Ella & Jo cosmetics was created by Charlene Flanagan Makeup a makeup artist and all around beauty lover from sunny Sligo and Niamh Ryan a Skin Therapist from Mayo in 2017.

Both already peers in the industry and known as experts in their fields they teamed up together and Ella & Jo Cosmetics was born. Both extremely passionate about skin and empowering women, they noticed a gap in the market for functional and fun products that made every day easier for women and to help women see their skin care routines as much more than skincare, its self-care.

The brand has grown rapidly, It is in its fourth year is ready to now begin its expansion into new products and new markets.

On this week's podcast, Kayte O'Malley chats to dynamic duo Charlene Flanagan and Niamh Ryan of Ella&Jo. The ladies talk about their favourite skincare products, making time for themselves and how they navigate being in business with your best friend. 

About Ella & Jo 

Ella & Jo cosmetics was created by Charlene Flanagan Makeup a makeup artist and all around beauty lover from sunny Sligo and Niamh Ryan a Skin Therapist from Mayo in 2017.

Both already peers in the industry and known as experts in their fields they teamed up together and Ella & Jo Cosmetics was born. Both extremely passionate about skin and empowering women, they noticed a gap in the market for functional and fun products that made every day easier for women and to help women see their skin care routines as much more than skincare, its self-care.

The brand has grown rapidly, It is in its fourth year is ready to now begin its expansion into new products and new markets.

On this week's podcast, Kayte O'Malley chats to social entrepreneur Helen Nolan about Spraoi agus Sport, a multi-award winning social enterprise in Carndonagh, Co Donegal. Helen talks about her decision to move back to Donegal to raise her family, her passion for the local community and why she thinks technology is so important for sustaining business in rural Ireland.

About Spraoi agus Spórt

Spraoi agus Spórt is an award winning social enterprise based in Carndonagh, Inishowen, Co. Donegal providing excellent social, recreational and educational activities for the community which are focused on family development and which bring social, recreational and economic benefits to the area.

In April 2010 three friends and mums of young children Helen Nolan, Louise Grant and Ailbhe Hickey agreed to try and turn their dream of having a dedicated home for the Carndonagh Parent and Toddler Group “where parents could have a cup of tea and a chat while their children played” into a reality.  On Thursday, 17th November 2010, Spraoi agus Spórt opened its doors for the first time.

Spraoi agus Sport initially provided 100 places weekly, today they provide in excess of 600 places weekly on a wide range of classes.

They now have a full-time manager, 2 part-time programme co-coordinators, 2 part-time administrators and a marketing coordinator through the Community Services Programme.  They employ 20 facilitators on a part-time basis during the school year and a further 45 facilitators and special needs assistants during the school holidays.  They also have a pool of over 15 volunteers.