CORK WOMEN DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES

Rachel Allen

Women led businesses are thriving in Cork, evidenced by the growing number of diverse and dynamic enterprises they are successfully running. Niamh Macsweeney talks to Rachel Allen renowned chef, author and tv presenter

In 1995 there were only about 3% of businesses where women were at the helm, in stark contrast to today’s figure which is nearer 30%. This is a huge leap and this growing trend is set to continue. It is only natural that the more women that set up an enterprise the more role models there are, which encourages others to start and grow quality businesses.

DOMINANT SECTOR

The food industry in Cork seems to have been a particularly successful sector for women wishing to enter into the business arena. Lisa Delaney who produces Sowans Organic Bread Mix, which is a niche product, is an example of a opportunistic businesswoman who is making a name for herself in the food sector. Another woman who is extremely entrepreneurial is Denise O’Callaghan, who’s company Delicious Gourmet Foods, has been a phenomenal success. Originally a stock broker, she set up a production facility where she designs a range of foods for coeliacs. The Natural Good Food Company is another example of a woman owned enterprise that is making an impact on the sector.

TV chef and author, Rachel Allen, is a prime example of a woman who has made a career and thriving business out of the food industry. Allen has never been busier and she has ambious plans for the future. “I’m writing another cookery book at the moment which will be out in autumn and we are going to film a 15 part series to go with the new book, which will be broadcast on RTE and the BBC in the autumn. I’m also working on bringing out a range of homeware -glassware, ceramics and linen which I’m designing myself with Waterford Crystal and electrical products I'm designing with an English company,” she reveals.

The Rachel Allen brand is such a huge success and it is her obvious passion for food that has ensured the continued success of the name and all her undertakings. “I never thought I was driven but obviously I am – I love keeping busy and have a very positive outlook on life. Passion for food is so important because if you don’t have that it comes through in your work,” she admits. “I have a passion for good food - I don’t just take any job that comes my way –I try to take on good and worthy projects. With cookery there are so many areas that you can get involved in and its great because I love the variety of it,” she adds.

Allen is equally entusiastic about teaching as she is about cookery. “I love teaching because you see the results straight away. If it’s a book you work on it for ages, but with teaching it is much more immediate.I love a variety of things and I would definitely get bored if I was just working on one thing,” she says.

PROMOTING WOMEN

According to Adrienne Rodgers, Assistant CEO, Cork City Enterprise Board there are a number of females coming out of multinationals, who are making there mark felt on other sectors such as IT. “What we try to do in the Enterprise Boards is promote women in business in Cork and support them in their endeavours. We pay for six full days of consultancies and this is an essential support because it gets right to the core of issues for these women in business.” The Enterprise Board also provide essential networking which facilitates and fuels regional business growth. “Recently we got involved with Network Cork to bring awards to recognise and commend the success stories of these female entrepreneurs,” Rodgers points out.

QUALITY ENTERPRISES

There is a greater focus on women in business in Cork that wasn’t as evident a number of years ago and there is a strong number of quality businesses starting and growing in the county. The positive number of women entering business bodes well for the future of female entrepreneurship in Cork and is having a significant impact on the local economy.

As a highly regarded woman in business, Allen is herself a great role model and inspiration to others. Her advice for women wishing to start a business is, “follow your dream, go for it and be prepared to put in the work.” She is also keen to point out the benefits of living and working in Cork. “Cork is very accessible and people are very open. I think you can a have a better standard of living here than you would in other places,” she says.

Published in the February/March 2008 Issue of Irish Entrepreneur