March 8th, International Women’s Day, 2023 was a day to #EmbraceEquity and this mission paved the way for a great day of camaraderie and networking at Mallusk Enterprise Park’s new Enterprise Hub.
The team at Mallusk Enterprise Park were joined by the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough to recognise and celebrate the entrepreneurial achievements of local women.
To elevate the visibility of women forging change, Mallusk Enterprise Hub hosted the official launch of new social enterprise ‘Groundbreakers’ by Randalstown woman Jayne Faulkner, who recently completed Mallusk Enterprise Park’s social enterprise support programme.
Speaking about her new venture, of which the official launch was hosted in the new conference room space in Mallusk Enterprise Hub, Jayne Faulkner stated that,
“Groundbreakers is a remarkable organisation dedicated to providing a safe space for individuals facing various challenges to learn, grow, and thrive. Groundbreakers believe in the potential of all individuals and are committed to providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed.”
As the official IWD website states,
‘When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, and we embrace inclusion. We embrace equity to forge harmony and unity, and to help drive success for all. Equality is the goal, and equity is the means to get there. Through the process of equity, we can reach equality.’
As part of the lead up to Mallusk Enterprise Park’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations, an opportunity was provided for one local Northern Ireland organisation, business, community or voluntary group to use the conference room for free, for up to 40 attendees, on IWD 2023, Wednesday 8th March.
This was just one way that the importance of celebrating and recognising female entrepreneurs was highlighted throughout the IWD celebrations at Mallusk Enterprise Hub.
From cupcakes courtesy of Belfast Cake Boutique and hydrafacial demonstrations with Ruth Livingston of Face Valet to diffusers from Coco Bleu Candles and artwork from Dionne Pollock Art, the wide range of talent and skill of local women was plain to see.
With the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough, Alderman Stephen Ross introduced to some of the local female founders that Mallusk Enterprise Park have recently supported and to a wide range of the different products and services provided by local women owned businesses, IWD 2023 at Mallusk Enterprise Park was a day filled with awe, celebration and connection building.
The aim of the day was to help embrace equity and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Seeing the fluidity of conversations amongst women and their male advocates and the positive responses to the array businesses and social enterprises present proved the day a success for all.
However, it is important to remember that celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women isn’t just for March 8th, but for every day.
So, keep the conversation going.
And #EmbraceEquity.
https://www.internationalwomensday.com/2023Theme
About Mallusk Enterprise Park:
Established in 1992 Mallusk Enterprise Park is local enterprise agency located in Newtownabbey. Operating as a social enterprise Mallusk Enterprise Park is committed to supporting individuals and businesses in the Newtownabbey area, throughout each and every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. Through various programmes, events, initiatives and available spaces, the experienced business advisory team at Mallusk Enterprise Park provide advice, guidance and resources to help entrepreneurs realise their business goals.
Mallusk Enterprise Park operates from a purpose built business park offering 50,000 square feet of workspace, office accommodation, meeting and conference spaces including private huddle rooms, co-working desks and a professional mailing address service to more than 60 local businesses and their 300+ employees.