More women than ever are launching firms, but they still have to conquer discrimination, finds Sandra O’Connell


WHEN Michelle Power decided to start her own business seven years ago, she was the mother of two small children. She wanted to create a company that would allow her to stay at home and raise her family while making money at the same time.
The main assets at her disposal were a one-acre garden in Co Carlow and green fingers. So she turned the space into a commercial herb farm and Cottage Garden ended up supplying some of the best-known restaurants in the country.



Last year, she set up Boozeberries, a range of artisan berry liqueurs. Having first sold the idea to her restaurant contacts, she then cracked the off-licence and hamper company market, making it onto the shelves in Superquinn just before Christmas, where her blackcurrant and blueberry gift packs sold out.

Now on the verge of significant success, and with her children aged 9 and 14 years, Power reckons she is ready to move up to the next stage.

This will require investment. So far all her bottles have been filled by hand and she now needs both free if she is to develop her export markets. It means spending up to €218,000 on machinery to increase capacity. “I am quite confident that we will be in a position to export this year and have had keen interest from Britain, Denmark and Japan,â€

According to me, The followings are some of important reasons for emerging women entrepreneurship.

1.Educated women do not find suitable job.
2.Women do not feel comfortable to work in their houses.
3.Women have an instinct to prove their innovative skill like men.
4.Women desire additional income to provide support to their families.
5.They have a desire for new challenges and opportunities for self-fulfillment.
6.Desire to enjoy social status equal to that of men.
7.Economic compulsions have encouraged for emerging of women entrepreneurs.
8.Women desire to share family responsibilities like men.