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Sinéad Dunphy has been involved in the arts as a performer and producer, director and organizer of many prestigious festivals for over two decades. At the end of 2019 it was time to take the plunge to become your own “boss”.

Ms. Dunphy, originally from Waterford but living in Cork for 21 years, founded Eventi Management, an events and marketing consultancy that serves the Graffiti Theater Company, the Cork Community Art Link, the Soul in the City Festival and the National Circus Festival of Ireland include the end of 2019.

A global pandemic broke out just a few months later.

“We lost a full year of work in three days, which obviously wasn’t great for a new company after we’d just filled out our calendar.

“I had to sit and lick my wounds for about a month and then just keep going,” she said The echo.

Despite the unprecedented challenge her aspiring company faced, Ms. Dunphy has made strides and found innovative ways to do business.

“During the pandemic, we got more into marketing consulting, digital marketing, and web design just to really try to turn it around and then be ready for future events as well.

“We also consulted intensively with people in order to prepare them for a reopening.

“We have to be a little more imaginative for this landscape.” Ms. Dunphy, who previously served as the festival manager of the Cork International Choral Festival and festival director of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival in 2018, says she is enjoying her new venture and being her own boss.

“Before I stop it [Eventi Management] I had a couple of contracts and then thought it was time to open the doors to a company that I’m the boss! I enjoy being the boss, ”she laughed.

In founding Eventi, Ms. Dunphy was able to draw on the knowledge of her business partner, the Chief Executive Cork Business Association (BBA), Lawrence Owens.

“I am the founder and CEO and then I have a business partner, Lawrence Owens.

“We have known each other for a long time. We have given Cork much of our life in several ways.

“It’s nice to work with a gentleman like Lawrence.

“It was wonderful to have someone like him come in and support me and say I believe in what you are doing here.

“I always say he’s the yin to my yang – he’s the suit and I’m the crazy artist!

“He can get the meeting and then I blow her away with what I say,” she laughed.

Sinéad Dunphy.

In addition to helping her business partner, Ms. Dunphy is a member of Network Ireland’s Cork office – a group of women she says have been a great sounding board.

“There is a real support system there that I think is brilliant.

“It was especially great during the pandemic.

“At the end of the day, when you’re done on the laptop, there is no one to take part in what you’ve been doing so many times. Such a network is really important to be able to reach just one person.

“I can just send a text to anyone I know on the network – it’s really great.

“If you are not a member or a business woman I would really encourage people to join. It is really worth it.

“It’s a deeper sense of support than I think most corporate organizations are because it’s about the individual rather than your organization.”

Ms. Dunphy was a past winner of the Creative Professional Award at the Network Ireland Cork Businesswoman of the Year Awards – an award she thinks really helped build her confidence.

“At the time I was just finishing the Cork International Choral Festival, I was about to run the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, and I think an award like this gives you a feel for yourself.

“I firmly believe that women in the workplace, including men of course, but especially women, suffer from imposter syndrome.

“I think when you have something like this and are recognized by your peers in different industries, it is a real empowerment and a reminder to yourself that you are fine.”

She would encourage all members who are considering applying for the awards this year not to hold back.

“All I can say is do it, because the only way you will ever feel validation in your own church is to present yourself.

“It’s not about showing it to someone else, it’s actually this affirmation of self and it’s a real personal achievement, I think, when you get involved and win in the end.”

Ms. Dunphy also had some wise words for budding entrepreneurs.

“I would say if you have the idea, write it down on paper.

“Use the word association – write down your idea and then start plowing and just throwing down other words that you think are connected. In the end you will have a semblance of what could be, and then it’s just a matter of taking that leap of believing and believing in yourself, ”she said.

“And then make sure you make an 18-month forecast! It is absolutely necessary! “

The application deadline for the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Awards is Friday, April 16 at 5pm.

To find out more, visit www.networkireland.ie or send an email to [email protected]