VIP Publishing is delighted to announce that the eir Power of Women Awards are back.
These awards celebrate the best and brightest female entrepreneurs in Ireland, across the worlds of fashion, technology, beauty, lifestyle, wellness and more!
The winners, decided by an expert panel and awarded at an exclusive lunch in Dublin’s Marker Hotel on November 17th, will be profiled in the December issue of VIP Magazine.
The Lifestyle award sponsored by VERY celebrates the women whose businesses focus the beauty of home, hobbies, and life.
Here’s a bit more information about our inspiring nominees…
Sadie Chowen – Burren Perfumery
A family-run company that draws inspiration from the Burren landscape to create a range of heavenly perfumes and organic skin care.
The Burren Perfumery was born in 1972 and taken over by Sadie Chowen who grew up in France in 2001. With a desire to produce items inspired by nature, her passion for all things natural and organic, and a lot of hard work and sacrifice, Sadie has turned this dream into a reality with her award-winning business.
Her products are now being stocked in Avoca stores across the country, and she has expanded the Burren Perfumery world with her tea rooms and herb garden.
Heather Condron – Flowerpop
Turning flowers into an art form, Heather Condron is the founder of the award-winning floral studio, Flowerpop in Inchicore, Dublin.
Most known for their vibrancy and unusual stems, Flowerpop can add an individual aesthetic and POP to every occasion with their magical touch! Heather and her fabulous team of talented florist experts and designers devise a new bunch of flowery dreams each week, representing the very best in themes and trends that season.
Michele Bertoni – Verd Houseplants
A 2020-born business, Verd combines nature and interior designs to curate an array of indoor plants that will turn any house into a home.
Founded by Michele Bertoni, a house plant enthusiast, who wanted to transform her passion into a business venture, it all began online during Covid, and following the lift of restrictions, Verd began to take off, with its plants being sold in markets all around Ireland. In December 2021 Michele opened a permanent store for her success in Cork City Centre.
All plants and botanical pieces are arranged with care and properly looked after whilst awaiting the perfect home. Attached to every product is a plant care guide to ensure that it can thrive in every way.
Ellie Kisyombe – Ellie’s Kitchen Home Edition
Founder of her own business, a mother, an activist and a political candidate, Ellie has blessed Ireland with the very best in African-inspired food.
Putting her love for food aside, Ellie has lived a life worth applause. After living in the Direct Provision System herself, Ellie has spent many of her years volunteering with the Irish Refugee Council on the campaign to end Direct Provision. She has been a social change activist not only in Ireland but also in her homeland of Malawi, where she founded the Rhoda Bosom Charity Foundation to raise money to provide essential infrastructure.
In 2015 she became the cofounder of Our Table, an award-winning Irish Café. Today Ellie’s Kitchen Home Edition provides an astounding catering service with a huge variety of cuisine for any occasion or event. In 2021, she launched her African–inspired and Irish-made Hot Sauce range which has been a massive success and her business continues to grow vast.
Una Leonard – 2210 Patisserie
Una Leonard just loves to bake cakes and it’s as simple as that! From a young age, Una would take over her mother’s kitchen and get lost in baking, cake decorating and her marvellous creations. At the age of 21, she decided to open her very own bakery on Mount Street, in Mullingar and has been sharing her baked goods with the rest of the country ever since.
Today the 2210 Patisserie has grown into a full team of staff, an online business, a full kitchen and to satisfy Una’s caffeine addiction, a team of barista specialists and a great big coffee machine. A bonus… all their sweet treats can be delivered to your home no matter where you are in the country… even if you’re considered to live in the middle of nowhere!
Tara O’Connor – The Designed Table
People have an extra appreciation for spending time with loved ones over the past few years and Tara knows the importance of a good setting for a social occasion.
Having grown up with a mother who loved to entertain and working 20+ years in PR and events, Tara is familiar with a good party. And what is at the centre of a good party? The table.
Tara wanted to produce linen that reflected her personality and mood, and for customers to celebrate the everyday, elevating dining experiences no matter how simple. Designed in Ireland, Tara has created everything you need for the heart of the home, including beautifully designed tablecloths, runners and cotton linen napkins.
Margaret Urbanowicz – Sómas
It’s all about comfort and ease – that’s what Sómas stands for. This business places an emphasis on the importance of finding pleasure in the simple, everyday moments.
Founded by Margaret Urbanowicz in 2019, Sómas is a selected range of carefully curated products that inspire mindfulness and well-being in this fast-paced world. Candles, diffusers, comfy clothing, accessories, and interiors – something for each of your senses, to bring peace to your daily routine.
Lizelle Joseph – Pillows & Patterns
Founded by graphic designer Lizelle Joseph in 2019, Pillows & Patterns represents her true love for pattern design and home interior alongside a huge admiration for her grandmother, who taught her all she knows.
Lizelle grew up on the shores of Cape Town in South Africa, with one of the most influential females in a woman’s life, a grandmother whom she would watch stitch her own cushions, quilts and curtains, designing her home with ease and style.
This passion for interior decór is now being carried on by Lizelle who shares her talents and artistic patterns and designs in her own space, Pillows & Patterns. All designs are original, hand-made, sustainable and crafted in Ireland.
