Contracting PLUS was established in 2002 by two contractors who knew a lot about contracting and finance but didn’t have everything worked out.

What Michael and Fergal didn’t know, they asked about (sounds so simple, but not always easy). Both founders were lucky enough to have expertise in certain areas but reached out to their network for help in areas where they knew they needed it. For most successful businesses to thrive, it really does take a village (or a great network of support).

In today’s world of contracting, women account for some 25% of the contracting workforce (according to independent, Irish research). We look forward to seeing that number grow over the next few years, but in the meantime, we are keen to support those who have already taken the plunge (we applaud everyone who does, but it’s great to see more and more women joining the thousands of contractors around the country).

Contracting can be a lonely business at times, but thankfully there are so many great organisations in Ireland (and globally/online), which offer support. It really does take a village sometimes and networking is a great way to build that village.

We’re working with some great organisations and we hope you will share those that have helped you along the way. We have listed some ideas below if you’re looking to get started.

• AwakenHub: This social enterprise supports women-led businesses, particularly those seeking investment in order to cultivate a vibrant start-up culture in Ireland. There is a membership fee and this covers a range of supports including: events, mentoring and access to like-minded women-led founders/co-founders. If you are interested in getting to know more, the AwakenHub blog is a great place to start.
• Eventbrite: This platform is a great place to find both in person and online events around the country. You can refine your search by location, interest, cost, category and a lot more. There’s so much going on, it’s sometimes just a case of throwing yourself into the local events and deciding what events work best for you.
• Network Ireland: This voluntary organisation is committed to the support and personal development of women in business. There are 14 branches around Ireland and all committee members give their time free of charge in order to support women all over the country. If you want to learn more, there is a great overview here.
• Local Enterprise Office (LEO): There are numerous government supports available to people in business. Sometimes, you just need someone to help you navigate these as not all will be relevant to a contractor. The LEO is helpful and for a nominal fee, you can access supports that include mentoring, networking events and more.
• LinkedIn: It’s sometimes who you know and not what you know in business. Regardless of your industry, online networking has become a key tenet in any successful business. Reaching out to your existing network or joining a new LinkedIn Group to develop new relationships is a great way to connect with others, identify your next potential project or gather feedback.

…and while we are on the topic of LinkedIn networking, you can join our Women in Contracting LinkedIn Group here. We hope you will find it helpful.

Here to support your future success

If you are interested in joining the hundreds of female contractors, but you’re not sure where to start, talk to us. We have been supporting contractors for over 20 years, ensuring you maximise the money you make, letting you focus on what you do best! Schedule a call with our team at a time and date that suits you.

We hope you’ll join our community of female contractors Women in Contracting LinkedIn Group here*. We hope you will find it helpful.

*This is a community for women or people who identify as female. Please note, where we reference women or females, we include people who identify as female.