Celebrating Business in 2018
Waterford Micro Business Network together with Waterford Social Enterprise Network, held their annual business showcase on Tuesday 11th December at 6.00pm in Saint Patrick’s Gateway. It’s always a great finish to the year of networking and this year was no exception. Liz Reddy from WLR FM was the MC for the evening and the guest speaker this year was the extremely inspiring Craig Dee, co-founder and co-director of Coach House Coffee, First Class Castles and Momentum Events.
Victoria Wilmott from Waterford Area Partnership stated “We were delighted that The Mount Sion Choir opened the showcase for us, which was a magical start to the evening. There were spot prizes, refreshments and almost 30 creative and talented small businesses owners and social enterprises showcased their products and services. Many local people have always been really supportive of Waterford Micro Business Network as have lots of local business owners who have given up so much time to be guest speakers and to really get behind our events, which we are so appreciative of.”
Ray Power, the Social Enterprise Manager of Ballybeg Greens and Chairperson of the Waterford Social Enterprise Network outlined the importance of the developing social enterprise sector “Social Enterprises are businesses that are subject to the same compliance and governance regulations as micro businesses but also seek to have an impact on the needs of a specific community or social group. We were delighted to partner with the Waterford MBN in this annual event and to profile some of the small businesses that are developing across Waterford in the social enterprise space. Ballybeg Greens is a primary producer of micro vegetables and salad leaves that offers training and employment opportunities within the City for people that are unemployed. There are many more small organisations across Waterford City and County that are now coming together to promote the development of social and community businesses that also promote an environmentally sensitive enterprise model, some of these businesses were represented at this wonderfully festive occasion.”
Waterford Micro Business Network has been a game changer for many in business and can help create an immediate competitive advantage for any business that joins it because it helps them gain exposure while introducing them to potential new customers. The showcase allowed both exhibitors and visitors alike to build new business opportunities. It also created a platform for networking and product showcasing giving network members a market presence in today’s competitive economy. The showcase was a great way to celebrate the achievements and successes of the network members in 2018. Waterford Micro Business Network is open to anyone in business to join and come along to monthly events so e-mail info@waterfordmbn.com or call Victoria or Dean at Waterford Area Partnership on 051 841740 if you want to find out more.
