“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” - Amelia Earhart

4 inspiring Irish businesswomen talk about what it means to carve your own financial path and support your family without shelving your own career, ambitions, and even financial security.

What’s the best financial advice you’ve ever received?

Alison Cowzer (Dragon’s Den investor): ‘An investment in knowledge pays the best interest’ - Benjamin Franklin

Cathy O’Connor (Fashion show producer): It's essential to take responsibility for your own financial picture.

Jules Coleman (Founder and CTO, Resi): People really underestimate the impact of compound interest. Little and often really does add up over longer time periods.

Helena Ryan and Katie Ryan (WellFest co-creators): If you save a little every month it eventually builds up.

What’s the best investment you’ve ever made?

Alison: My MBA (Master of Business Administration). It wasn’t cheap but it was an investment that really paid off. I’d advise anyone with ambitions to invest in developing their skills.

Cathy: My home. I'm very grateful to have my own home. It’s my sanctuary - the border between my world and the outside world.

Jules: Probably my dog. A pet is a big financial commitment, but I couldn’t put a price on the happiness he brings to our lives.

Helena and Katie: Our time. It has taken a few years to really gain a steadfast foothold on the marketplace and establish our brand, but it’s paying off.

What’s the recipe for success?

Alison: Risk is a concept that you need to get comfortable with if you’re looking to grow a business and that can take a bit of getting used to.

Jules: Prepare for the worst and hope for the best outcome is my motto. You regret the things you never tried, not the things you did.

What advice do you have on the glass ceiling?

Alison: The glass ceiling has become a bit of a cliché, but I believe there are significant structural issues that restrict women’s route to achieving their full potential, and they need to be resolved. The lack of affordable childcare is still a major impediment for many women throughout their careers.

Cathy: I'm very fortunate to work in lots of different environments, so I can create my own work culture. When I hit a hurdle, I try to work around it rather than imagining banging against it will get me the result I'm after.

Jules: I truly believe women can achieve anything they set their minds to, but we can’t stick our heads in the sand and ignore the biases and imbalances that exist in many industries and societies. I’m sure some people have made assumptions about my ability and potential as a female computer programmer and entrepreneur, but honestly, I feel that reflects poorly on them, rather than me.

Helena and Katie: We are in industries (pharmacy and law) where there are a lot of empowering and inspiring women leading the way. That said, we’ve noticed people (even other women) expect the man in the room to lead the group. We’d like to see a female leader as normal, not surprising.

When it comes to setting yourself up for financial success, Cathy O’Connor says, “For many [women], paying attention to our finances is not our natural leaning, but it's so important to do just that. As you get older, you need to plan for the future. Time spent considering a pension and your outgoings isn’t exactly a joy, but it's so worth it. It allows you freedom, independence and an easier life, in the long run.”

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