To celebrate International Womens Day, we asked some of the RDI hub female founders a series of questions about their entrepreneurial journeys so far. Here are their insights.
Our panel:
Ciara Brosnan, Yours Virtually Ciara. Yours Virtually Ciara offers a range of services including social media management, event coordination, and virtual assistance.
Aoife Ross, Connected Content. Connected Content works with clients to connect the dots between marketing strategies, messaging, and tech stacks to create seamless, high-impact campaigns.
Yasmina Renaudin, Redacare. Redacare is a platform which allows people to find, connect, and book holistic practitioners Instantly.
Dina Vyapuri, Techfindr. Techfindr provides Talent Services and Advisory in Cyber Security
Reflecting on Your Journey
What inspired you to start your own business, and how did you overcome early challenges?
Ciara: I started my business because I wanted to leverage my skills in a way that could genuinely help people. I’ve always had a passion for organising, managing, and making things easier for others, so starting a business felt like a natural extension of that. The early challenges were tough, and there were moments when I questioned myself. However, having a strong support network, especially other women in business, helped me stay grounded and push through the self-doubt.
Aoife: A frustration with the misalignment between sales and marketing. Often, one does not connect with the other and as a result, much of the work by a marketing team is redundant because the strategy is not aligned with sales team. After years of seeing this scenario playing out across clients when I worked for digital agencies and in-house when I worked for B2B companies, I decided to put my theory into action. Two years’ on from establishing Connected Content, I have refined the theory and realised that content that converts is as important as the tech stack within the organisation.
Challenges crop up, but one thing I’ve relied upon is my network. Connecting with people and asking questions invariably leads to a solution. Learning from others helps you avoid dead ends and find alternative routes.
Yasmina: My experience as a mom was the reason I decided to start my business. I would have never thought of this project otherwise.
Dina: I relocated to Kerry from Dublin and had to quit my job as a Tech Recruiter at the time as remote work was not a thing.
Looking back, what would you say has been the most defining moment in your entrepreneurial journey?
Ciara: The most defining moment in my entrepreneurial journey was securing my first client and quickly becoming fully booked within my first month in business. Additionally, getting lots of referrals and seeing others trust me enough to recommend my services was incredibly rewarding and reinforced that I was on the right path.
Yasmina: Joining the Founder Weekend (NDRC programme to support early stage startups) was definitely a shifting moment as everything started there. I got to learn about the RDI hub and what it has to offer to support Kerry Business people like me.
Overcoming Obstacles
As a female founder, have you faced specific challenges that you think women in business face more than their male counterparts? If so, how did you navigate them?
Ciara: Thankfully, I haven’t faced many challenges directly, but one personal challenge I struggled with was imposter syndrome. It was difficult to shake off, especially in the beginning. But over time, I learned to believe in my skills, and when I faced scepticism from others about my business idea, I kept going. Now, those same people are the ones checking in to see how my business is doing, which is a great reminder of how far I’ve come.
Aoife: I learned early on that many women fail to value their contribution. Men are much better at understanding their worth. I am lucky to have some amazing male mentors who give me their perspectives. I’ve learned that time is one of the most valuable assets a founder has. To grow and attract the right clients, female founders need to look at their pricing strategy and never underestimate what they bring to the table. Understand the value you bring and charge accordingly.
Yasmina: For me the main challenge was working from home, as I couldn’t stop being a mom in there, There was always some laundry to take care of, some cooking to be done, many toys to be put away. The solution was to join the RDI Hub, as I can focus on my work. Now I am a mom at home, and a business woman at the RDI hub.
Dina: My challenge was navigating a male dominated industry, so I had to find my voice and proved everyday that I had a place in this field. I overcame this challenge by showing up everyday and asking for support when I needed it.
Have you had mentors or role models who helped you in your career? How important has mentorship been for you?
Ciara: Yes, I’ve been fortunate to have fantastic mentorship through the RDI Hub and its staff, who have been incredible in guiding me through the early stages of my business. Additionally, connecting with other women in business and joining networks has been invaluable. Mentorship has been crucial for me as it helped me navigate challenges, gain confidence, and build the right relationships.
Aoife: I’ve not engaged with a mentor process. The most important thing for me is to realise I don’t have all the answers, I just need to ask the right questions and someone in my network will help!
Yasmina: Yes I have the opportunity to have a mentor with extensive experience in Sales, exactly what I am lacking in my own experience. It is again the RDHIHub that made this mentorship possible.
Dina: Having a mentor is very important, I have several of them. Sometimes it is good to get the perspective of someone else who has more experience than you. They also help you take accountability.
Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become entrepreneurs or leaders in their fields?
Ciara: My advice would be to trust in yourself and your abilities. Don’t be afraid to go after what you want, even if it means taking risks. Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in your vision, and remember that growth takes time—don’t rush the process.
Aoife Ross: Don’t wait until retirement to claim freedom. Start your own business – you’ll immediately feel free to do what you love, when you want to and earn while you do it. Not only that, you’ll meet some of the most amazing people on the way!
Yasmina: Speak to professionals about your idea, your friends and family will always be a great support, but might not always tell the truth.
Dina: I would say feel the fear and do it anyway, or else live to regret you never started.
What do you think is the biggest barrier women face when starting a business, and how can they overcome it?
Ciara: One of the biggest barriers I think women face is overcoming self-doubt and societal expectations. It can be hard to push through when you’re second-guessing yourself. Don’t be afraid to start a business, whether you’re very young or very old. Never let yourself say “what if.” Focus on your unique value and find a supportive community. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can help you push past those barriers.
Aoife: I have come across some women who just fail to see the value they bring to a business. If women could overcome that challenge (which is easier than you might think), we’d have a better gender balance in business.
Dina: Imposter syndrome and fear! They have to believe in their ability and take a chance.
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
Do you think the business world is becoming more inclusive for women? What more needs to be done?
Ciara: Yes, the business world is definitely becoming more inclusive for women, though there’s still work to do. Women are making strides in leadership roles, and I believe we’ll continue to see more women-led businesses. We need to keep supporting women entrepreneurs and ensure that mentorship and access to funding are equitable.
Aoife: Overall, yes, it’s better but pockets of resistance still appear and it’s frustrating. However, the best solution is to ask for help. Getting perspectives from others really helps you make informed decisions and to help you feel comfortable with the decisions you make.
Dina: Yes, definitely businesses has becoming more aware and inclusive. I think companies have to adapt an open conversation model where women can express themselves freely without the fear of being reprehended specially around bullying or sexual advances and harassment specially from a direct manager or person of authority.
Work-Life Balance and Self-Care
How do you manage work-life balance as a founder, and what self-care practices help you stay grounded and focused?
Ciara: Balancing work and life can be a little tough sometimes. I am involved in a lot of projects and initiatives at the moment, and things are extremely busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It really fills my cup. I’m proud to say that the work I’m doing doesn’t feel like a job; I’ve truly found my passion. I try to set clear boundaries, prioritise my time, and take breaks when needed. Exercise, journaling, and spending time with loved ones are important self-care practices that help me stay grounded and focused.
Aoife: Winding down is hard when you are working for yourself. Freeing myself of the 9-5 time restrictions has plenty of benefits though. When I’m working on a large (or challenging) project, it can be gruelling but then I make my own schedule. This means I can head out for a walk on the beach in the morning and then pop to the RDI Hub before lunch and work until late. My self-care is quite basic but works: Being able to connect with other founders in the RDI Hub on any given day always helps me stay grounded. Sometimes, it’s just a look or a nod and other times, it’s banter over a pint in the local pub. Connecting with other people is important for support, opinions and a reminder that working for yourself is one of the best challenges you’ll ever set yourself.
Dina: I take time to do things I LOVE! Walking my dogs, cooking, travelling and reading a good book! I love the ocean so I hit the beach every weekend with the dogs.
Celebrating International Women’s Day:
What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally and professionally?
Ciara: International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women, reflect on the progress we’ve made, and acknowledge the work still to be done. It’s an important reminder of how far we’ve come and how much more we can achieve by supporting each other. Personally, I think it’s an honour to mark it.
Aoife: Women have a unique ability over their male counterparts when it comes to caring for others. Rather than seeing this skill as a weakness, it’s a business superpower. Our empathy gives us a unique ability to spot problems, understand their impact, and drive meaningful change.
Dina: It’s a day to celebrate my journey so far and how well I’m navigating a male dominated industry. Also remembering the women that shaped my professional and personal life i.e my mother was the one who convinced my father to let me travel to Australia for my university. She believed that all her daughters should be independent.
How can we better support and uplift female entrepreneurs on a daily basis, not just on International Women’s Day?
Ciara: Supporting female entrepreneurs every day means actively seeking out and investing in women-led businesses, providing mentorship, and creating more networking opportunities. It’s about normalising the support for women in business and ensuring that their voices are heard year-round, not just one day a year.
Aoife: Supporting female founders daily means amplifying their voices, valuing their leadership, and embracing the power of their perspective—not just on International Women’s Day, but every day
Dina: By offering an ear to listen and support in whatever way we can. Sometimes, all someone wants to hear is a little bit of encouragement!
Thanks to Ciara, Aoife, Yasmina and Dina for sharing their insights on International Womens Day 2025!
