How The Network Sparked A Powerful Collaboration

Three women attended one DWIB event seeking connection, clarity and confidence, and left with friendship, collaboration and renewed ambition.

There are moments in business – and life – where a simple decision to show up somewhere can literally change everything.

For Ciara Hassan, Mandy Blaney and Dymphna Donaghy, one of those moments came when they attended our February DWIB event, ‘How to fall in love with Networking’ They came for different reasons, each of the women at different stages of their journeys, but all with a desire to connect, to explore new direction and to meet like-minded women.

What followed was an unexpected but synchronistic coming together of ambition and shared purpose. Their collaboration has continued to evolve far beyond that first meeting. In our members spotlight, they reflect on their experience of DWIB, why they first attended, and why they encourage other women to step into the network.

Q. Why did you attend that first meeting?

Each of us arrived with a slightly different intention, but we were all at a time of transition and curiosity,  about what might come next in our lives.

Dymphna: I knew I wanted to give something back locally and to make a difference. I was curious and looking for like-minded people to build a network in the North West as I’d been working away from the county in the corporate world of the US multinationals for the last forever.

Mandy: I was at a point where I was sitting on the fence about doing something significant in the wellness space on a big scale and I was full of fear. I thought, “have I the energy? Have I the wherewithal? Do I have the skills to do this?” I went to the event feeling a bit apprehensive because I felt that going in there, all these women are already successful, and they’re so impressive and here’s me consumed with “ What if” and “ Can I”.  I went very much with an open mind. I got an amazing welcome by Hannah at the door. The next thing, these two amazing girls that I’d never seen before sat down with me. After the event was over, we sat and talked for two hours. And it was one of the best days of my life as it renewed my belief in me again!

Ciara: I’d been messing around with what I wanted to do with my career. I am ambitious and wanted to consider what I could offer particularly to local women that would make a difference. I’d been to some networking events but they weren’t as good as I would have liked. I always loved Donegal people because they’re just naturally friendlier and I thought, let me try there. One of the first events I went to was, ‘How to Fall in Love with Networking’, which was appropriate for me because I absolutely hated it. So I thought, if they can make me fall in love with networking, fair play, it’s worth a try. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and as the story goes, the three of us met each other and here we are.

Q. What did you feel when you were there?

Dymphna: I felt like a curious imposter walking in who was made to feel very, very welcome. There was a great vibe in the room with a lot of chat, discussion and interaction. At the very end of the event, the ladies at my table stayed on, deep in conversation with a common thread holding us together. So much so, that one of the Donegal Women in Business committee members came over to ask what we were all still chatting about. I left with a spring in my step and a promise of what felt like kinship, support and a potential tribe of like-minded women. All of which has grown and become very real.

Mandy: I felt that there was no doubt about it. I was in the right place at the right time. I said when I left Mount Errigal, “Mandy, your day has come”. It was so engaging and so genuine and such a thorough conversation that when I was hugging the girls when we left, it was like we met as strangers, but we definitely parted as friends. It’s just unreal what can happen in the blink of an eye when you’re in the right place at the right time and you have it in your heart to do something for the right reason.

Ciara I felt apprehensive walking into a room of strangers but I was made very, very welcome by the hosts and by all the other women in the room. When you’re going to a networking event on your own, you can feel nervous or anxious, because you don’t know, are people there business owners? Do they have a business? Why am I here? What am I doing? What am I going to say? And then, like Mandy said, I think it was synchronistic that the three of us sat at that table at that time with the same ambition and same desire to help women. It was not a coincidence and I feel very grateful for Donegal Women in Business for such a wonderful network.

Q. What do you think of Donegal Women in Business?

Dymphna: It’s Real. I have found it to be an extremely warm, positive, and supportive network where everyone I’ve met has been open and welcoming. Even if like me,   you don’t have a definite idea (yet), but you just know you want to do something, I would say just come along to an event because you will get the encouragement that could help you to see options and enable  you  to develop your idea, to help somebody else, to be part of something, and to grow your belief  from it.

Mandy: What I love about the Donegal Women in Business network is that there’s such a broad spectrum of stages of business and stages of life – a real mixed bag. The encouragement, the peer-to-peer learning and the events that they run. Hannah and Alice are exceptional. I just love the genuineness of a lot of the people and that you can go into the room on your own and you’ll always find someone to talk to. I would encourage any woman out there that’s sitting on the fence thinking, will I or won’t I, or am I good enough, am I qualified enough, or is my idea big enough? None of that matters. Just go and be among women because we women need other women. It’s just an exceptional network and I’m so glad to be a part of it.

Ciara: I can honestly say, I’ve had the most amazing experience, not just at my initial event, but of all the events that I’ve been to. The women are very open, very inviting, eager to share, eager to help and support. For anybody who’s out there who’s sitting on the fence, just come to one of the events, come and speak to any of us, and just get out there. If you have an ambition for a business or an idea, then this is the place to foster it.

Q. Tell us about your upcoming event?

It’s a full circle moment as we’re hosting our event in the Mount Errigal Hotel – where we all met. We are passionate about supporting women to improve and optimize their health; mind, body and spirit by breaking down the complex, often overwhelming information out there. Mandy has taught us that your genetic predisposition doesn’t have to determine your destiny and that is so empowering.

Our event, Reset & Revitalise takes place on Tuesday 19th May at 11am – 1.30pm during which attendees will walk away with;

• Their own personalised health assessment and action plan

• Understand how to read their body’s signs before they become symptoms

• Understand how the gut connects to metabolism, mood and energy

• A supportive community to help each other reach their current health goals

Tickets are 25 Euro per person and includes tea, coffee & healthy bites. The Mount Errigal hotel has kindly offered attendees a discount if they want to have lunch after the event. Tickets can be purchased here.

For any questions or queries, you can contact any of the ladies as follows;

Ciara Hassan Coaching on instagram or email ciaralouise.hassan@gmail.com

Mandy J Blaney Instagram Mandy Blaney Instagram or mobile 085 8532 9752

Dymphna Dymphna Donaghy Instagram or dymphnadonaghy@gmail.com