11th December 2024
Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winners feature growing Internationally focused Education and Training business and Florist expanding both online and into range of artisan gifts
The winners of the prestigious LEO Dublin City Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024 were Richella Boggan and Pheona Croom-Johnson of Sandown Business School. Last night at an Awards Night in the Mansion House Dublin Richella Boggan accepted the Award on behalf of both Pheona and Richella, recognising a very successful 2024 at Sandown Business School. Co-Founded by Richella Boggan and Pheona Croom Johnson in April 2022, Sandown Business School Limited is a provider of Internationally Recognised Professional Coach Training Education and Executive Talent Development Coach and Coach-Mentoring Programmes. Sandown is an Irish Business and an Internationally Traded Service company. Over the past 12 months, Sandown has expanded its offerings and impact, standing out as a hybrid school integrating science, artistry, and systems. Led by two master coaches with over 50 years of combined experience, their vision is to transform coaching education globally.
The judges were particularly impressed with the ambitious strategy followed by the business, the investments made in Digital Marketing and other areas to make this happen and by progress made in 2024.
The winner of the Rising Star Award 2024 is Sinead Crowe, Adonis Flower Designers Adonis Flower Designers provide bespoke floral arrangements, house and patio plants, and a carefully curated selection of Irish-made crafts. They also deliver corporate gifting solutions, pairing custom floral designs with Irish-made crafts for high-impact gifts. Adonis is supporting almost 40 Irish craft businesses, showcasing handmade items such as chocolates, candles, scarves, greeting cards, and hand-knit hats. Beyond their retail services, Adonis offers on- and off-site workshops, including “Cosy Classes,” where participants learn the art of floristry in an intimate, creative environment. These workshops have become a key part of their mission to engage with the community and share the joy of floristry.
The judges selected Adonis for the Rising Star Award due to their progress since taking over the business, expansion of business offering incorporating support for a range of Irish artisan producers and the strong platform for growth in the next stage.
An additional member, Louise McEvoy of Lil Stompers was Highly Commended by judges in recognition of the success to date in their expanded shop and online business.
Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Donna Cooney, Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner Richella Boggan, Rising Star Award Winner Sinead Crowe and Greg Swift, Head of Enterprise Dublin City Council and LEO Dublin City.
The winners were announced by Greg Swift of LEO Dublin City who encouraged the members present to utilise the services of the Local Enterprise to help them to grow their businesses, emphasising that every business needs to focus on sustainability and digitisation in 2025.
Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Cooney welcomed the network of women in business to the Mansion House and talked about how important a role small businesses play in the economy and society of Dublin, including the increasing numbers of businesses with a strong focus on sustainability.
The Awards were followed by a talk by Eibhlin Johnston of The Resiliency Hub on the 12 Gifts of Christmas we should all be awarding ourselves as the year draws to a close and we start to think about how we want 2025 to start. These gifts include The Gift of Integrity and The Gift of Time.
These Awards are made every year to the winners of the LEO Dublin City Women in Business Network Awards. This network is an initiative of the Local Enterprise Office Dublin City to support women who are starting and growing businesses and has over 250 members across a range of sectors.
The judges were Cora Barnes, MD of Three Q Recruitment and Natalie Kelly, Audit Partner with Crowleys DFK.
See https://www.localenterprise.ie/DublinCity/Start-or-Grow-your-Business/Networking/Women-in-Business/ for more information or email leodcwomeninbusiness@gmail.com.
Details of winners and prizes
Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award Winner: Richella Boggan, Co-Founder of Sandown Business School,
Perpetual trophy
€1500 cash
€500 LEO voucher
Certificate
‘Rising Star’ Award Winner: Sinead Crowe, Owner, https://adonis.ie/
Prizes
€500 cash
€500 LEO voucher
Certificate