Celebrating women in business: Laois entrepreneurs shine on National Women’s Enterprise Day

Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Laois ran a series of events for Women in Business in the county throughout the year, giving them an opportunity to network, share information, and learn about the wide range of business supports available through the Local Enterprise Office.

Honor Deevy, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, LEO Laois, said: “These events are highly valuable as they address a broad spectrum of interesting topics and speakers who are relevant to women in business while also providing meaningful support and networking opportunities.”

This year so far, events run by LEO Laois have included speakers such as The Fabulous Pharmacist, Susan Hayes Culleton (aka The Positive Economist), and personal stylist Breeda O'Connell, and all events were completely booked out.

As part of National Women's Enterprise Day 2025 this week, there are 15 events nationwide covering a wide range of topics and speakers covering everything from how to improve your online presence to how to become a more sustainable business.

To mark National Women’s Enterprise Day, Local Enterprise Office Laois, in collaboration with our Midlands colleagues (LEOs Longford, Offaly and Westmeath), have organised a Regional Female Entrepreneurship event in Gloster House & Gardens, Birr, Co Offaly, on October 16.

If you wish to find out more information on future events or to hear more about the wide range of business supports available through Local Enterprise Office Laois, please contact our team on 057 86 61800, email localenterprise@laoiscoco.ie, or follow on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

SPOTLIGHT ON LAOIS FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

IntegriLeads:

IntegriLeads, headquartered in Bloom HQ, Mountrath, provides high-quality B2B lead generation, supporting international technology clients through targeted prospecting and business development. Founded in 2019, the company has achieved significant growth whilst creating employment locally and building a reputation for delivering measurable results and long-term client success.

With a female-led management team, IntegriLeads combines strategic vision with a people-first culture, incorporating the latest technology stack to drive innovation and efficiency.

A strong advocate for LEO supports, the company has expanded its team, strengthened its global reach, and established itself as a trusted partner for technology businesses both at home and abroad — while proudly rooted in County Laois.

Michelle McDonald - Sásta Skin Health :

With nearly 30 years in the beauty and skincare industry, Michelle McDonald combines expertise in client care, education, and product development. Inspired by her personal experience with her son’s eczema, she discovered the crucial link between the gut and skin microbiomes, shaping Sásta’s holistic microbiome-friendly philosophy.

From early experiments in her home lab on the family farm, combined with participation in entrepreneurial support programmes such as New Frontiers, ACORNS, and Going for Growth, allowed her to grow Sásta into a trusted, multi-award-winning Irish brand. Michelle's partnership with Dr Brian O’Rourke blends her hands-on, client-focused insight with scientific rigour, creating skincare that supports real skin health and wellbeing.

Zephyr Yard:

Sweet Moments from Abbeyleix’s Zephyr Yard

Hi, I’m Tatiana Bite, and I run Zephyr Yard here in Abbeyleix. I started the business in 2019, and my husband and son have been wonderful helpers ever since — whether it's rolling dough, packaging cakes, or offering taste-testing advice!

This year has been very special for us: our Honey Cake won Gold at the Blas na hÉireann Awards 2025, and we were also named Best in Laois. It’s such a joy to see our homemade bakes enjoyed by the local community. Every cake carries a little bit of our family’s love, and that’s what makes it truly special.

Temptation Chocolates:

Multi-award-winning luxury Irish artisan hand-painted chocolates, Temptation Chocolates are handmade with love in their chocolate boutique in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois. Made in small batches using ethically sourced, premium ingredients - French Valrhona chocolate, Irish cream and butter and as many local and Irish ingredients as possible.

Created by self-taught chocolatier twin sisters, Kate & Ruth O’Hara, who, in the midst of the pandemic, left behind careers in accounting and finance in Dublin to turn their hobby into a business in early 2021.

Each exquisite chocolate is carefully hand-painted with the utmost care and attention to detail. Colourful, shiny and elegant, they are little pieces of edible art! Temptation Chocolates was recently included in Le Guide des Croqueurs de Chocolat 2026, the Michelin Guide for chocolate, for the second year in a row.

Instagram - @temptation.chocolates / @temptationchocolatesboutique

Visit our Boutique - Temptation Chocolates Boutique, Heritage House, Lower Level, Portlaoise Road, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois. Open Thursday - Monday.

Comfort Dentures:

My name is Imelda O’Brien, and I am a Clinical Dental Technician with a degree in Dental Technology and Applied Social Care. In January 2023, I introduced 3D denture scanning, design and printing technology to our denture clinic, utilising advanced software that allows us to create an exact or improved 3D copy of existing dentures.

• 3D Scanning and printing service
• Ideally suited for elderly patients
• We scan their original dentures, making minor adjustments
• We digitally print the patient's name inside the denture and save the digital scan for future prints

Visit our website comfortdentures.ie

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