Denise Buckley and John Mee to share business experience for Founders Friday event
Denise Buckley and John Mee are the speakers for Founders Friday, a business event that "brings together founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders for an evening of insight and connection".
The event, hosted by Allpro Recruitment in collaboration with Midlandjobs.ie and Local Enterprise Office Westmeath, is on Friday April 17 at Canton Casey’s.
Mullingar entrepreneur Denise Buckley, founder of Sugar Plum Sweetery and co-founder of Wholesome Kitchen, was recently named Westmeath County Enterprise Award winner and will go on to represent the county at the National Enterprise Awards.
Her brand has gained national attention for its “Willy Wonka-inspired” retail experience and innovative product launches, most notably the Dubai-style chocolate bar that drove a surge in demand and significant business growth.
Built from her base in Mullingar, Sugar Plum Sweetery has become a destination business, attracting customers from across Ireland through a combination of product innovation, strong branding and customer experience.
John Mee is co-founder of Sidero and SolanoTech. Based in Athlone, he has built and scaled software companies in the region, culminating in the acquisition of Sidero by GlobalLogic, part of the Hitachi Group. His experience in multinational telecoms roles and founding, scaling and selling offers valuable insight for business leaders across all sectors.
Together, the two represent different paths to success, from technology and global markets to retail, branding and consumer experience, and will offer attendees a well-rounded perspective on building and growing a business.
David Gleeson, founder of Allpro Recruitment, said: “It is important that events like this happen in towns like Mullingar. You have strong businesses being built locally, and by bringing in founders like John alongside local success stories like Denise, you create a valuable environment for people to learn, connect and think bigger about their own business.”
The event is being delivered in collaboration with regional partners, including Tom Griffith of Midlandjobs.ie and LEO Westmeath.
Tom Griffith said the mix of speakers reflects the strength and diversity of the midlands business community. “You have founders who have built and scaled companies alongside those creating exciting consumer brands, and that mix brings real value to the room. People can take different lessons depending on where they are in their own journey.”
Catriona Duffy of LEO Westmeath added: “Denise’s achievement at county level and her progression to the National Enterprise Awards is a strong example of what is being built here in Westmeath. Events like Founders Friday help to showcase that while also giving others practical insight and encouragement.”
The event, hosted by Ronan Berry of Midlands 103, is on Friday April 17 (6.30-8.30pm) upstairs at Canton Casey’s.
Attendance is free, and light refreshments will be provided. Registration is required on eventbrite.