Entrepreneurs take secrets of their business success to second level

LEADING entrepreneurs revealed the secrets of their success to a new generation of young entrepreneurs at a special conference yesterday.

Some 200 second-level students from across West Cork were told that despite the challenging economic conditions, there are still vast opportunities in the business world if they are motivated.

The fourth and fifth-year students are taking part in the West Cork Enterprise Board’s Schools Enterprise Programme, which sees them setting up and running their own mini-enterprises.

They gain experience in all aspects of business development, from market research and production to sales and marketing.

Students from Mount Saint Michael Rosscarbery, Rossa College and Mercy Heights Skibbereen, Bandon Grammar, Schull Community College, Beara Community School, Ardscoil Phobail, Bantry, Maria Immaculata Secondary School, Dunmanway and Clonakilty Community College, attended the Leaders on Our Level conference at the Celtic Ross Hotel, organised by the West Cork Enterprise Board.

Among the speakers were Simon Dennehy, who owns Perch, a company which designs products that promote better health and posture for students through ergonomic desk and chair design; business coach Jackie Gowran, Isabelle O’Donovan, owner of Issie’s Handmade Chocolates; Conor Buckley, chief executive of Granite Consulting; and John Kearney, a serial entrepreneur and motivational speaker.

The West Cork Enterprise Board’s Christine Heffernan said the event was designed to give the students an insight into what it takes to succeed in the real world of business.

“Often, it is easy for students to ignore what is happening outside the school walls, so today is really a practical experience for them to learn more about setting up a business,” she said.

“The main objective for us is to give these students the invaluable experience of setting up their own enterprise in the hopes that one day they will set up businesses in West Cork and create employment.”

Christine Duggan, the region’s schools programme co-ordinator, said she hoped the event would motivate the students to capitalise on the opportunities that are still out there.

“Today was also about motivating the teachers as they play such an important role in encouraging their students to be innovative and motivated in making informed decisions about their future careers,” she said.

Each school will compete with their mini enterprises in the regional final next March when one team will be chosen to represent the West Cork Enterprise Board and their school at the national finals next May.