Kildare Businesswomen Taking Their Ambitions Worldwide
Girls Going Global highlights the growing international ambitions of women-led businesses.
27 October 2026: Women entrepreneurs from across County Kildare gathered at the Keadeen Hotel to mark for the 20th anniversary of National Women’s Enterprise Day at a special event hosted by Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office.
This year’s theme, Girls Going Global, focused on supporting women-led businesses to grow beyond the Irish market and explore international opportunities. The event brought together entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey, from those considering their first export venture to established business owners already trading overseas.
The keynote discussion featured Marissa Carter, founder of the internationally recognised beauty brand Cocoa Brown, who reflected on her entrepreneurial journey and the lessons she learned while growing an Irish brand into a global success story. Her insights on resilience, and recognising opportunities resonated strongly with the audience.
Attendees also heard from Therese Murphy, founder of Equi-Ed and winner of the Female of the Year Award at the 2026 National Enterprise Awards. Therese shared practical advice from her experience of developing an export-focused business and outlined both the opportunities and challenges facing by Irish companies seeking to grow internationally.
Speaking at the event, Jacquie McNabb, Head of Enterprise, Economic Development and Tourism, Kildare County Council said: “National Women’s Enterprise Day has become a hugely important platform for celebrating the achievements of women in business. It is inspiring to see so many ambitious women looking beyond Ireland and exploring opportunities in international markets. Our team, with a dedicated Export Advisor and extensive suite of export-specific support, is available to support entrepreneurs at all stages of their business journey. Your success is not only strengthening our local economy but also showcasing Kildare innovation and enterprise on a global stage.”
National Women’s Enterprise Day is a Local Enterprise Office initiative, supported by Enterprise Ireland and local authorities, with events taking place across the country each year to celebrate and support women in business.
