Are you a woman entrepreneur or small business owner who wants your social media to drive sales, not just likes? Join us for the next Powerhouse Business Break, a focused learning and networking session on Sales & Marketing: Social Media That Sells. 

This session will dive into creating content that converts into sales, building a real community (turning followers into fans), and developing a brand people remember – all with practical, usable tactics you can bring straight back into your business.  

What is Powerhouse? 

The Powerhouse Network is supported by Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office and our partners in Carlow Library Service, County Carlow Chamber, Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet, and Southeast Technological University a dynamic community built to empower women entrepreneurs and professionals by offering the connections, tools, and inspiration needed to succeed. As part of the South East support ecosystem, Powerhouse works to foster a space where women can develop and grow their businesses, increase turnover, and address sustainability goals. The Powerhouse Network is a dynamic community dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and professionals by providing the tools, connections and inspiration to excel in their careers and businesses. 

As part of the wider South East support ecosystem, Powerhouse acts as a catalyst for businesswomen who want to grow sustainably, increase turnover and build meaningful connections that support long-term success. 

Through peer learning, networking and strategic collaboration, Powerhouse creates an environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive; sharing experiences, learning from each other and driving their businesses forward together. 

Strategic Benefits of Peer Learning & Development 

At Powerhouse, we know that some of the best business insights come from your peers. By joining the Business Break series, you’ll connect with like-minded businesswomen who are facing similar challenges in marketing, sales, branding and growth. 

These peer-to-peer conversations help you: 

• See new ways to approach familiar problems 

• Learn what’s working (and what isn’t) in real businesses right now 

• Avoid costly mistakes by hearing honest, practical insights 

You’ll also find opportunities for informal mentorship, where more experienced entrepreneurs can share advice in areas that matter most to your business – from pricing and sales through to marketing and strategy.  

What to Expect at this Business Break 

This Sales & Marketing Business Break focuses specifically on social media as a driver of sales and brand loyalty. 

You’ll hear from Shemaine Doyle, an experienced brand and marketing strategist who has spent over 20 years driving growth for major food and beverage brands such as Costa Coffee, Cuisine de France and Pret a Manger. Now back in Ireland, Shemaine runs Brave Marketing Agency, working with food, retail and lifestyle brands to turn sharp strategy into measurable results.  

Known for her high-energy, action-orientated speaking style, Shemaine blends strategist, coach and practitioner – helping businesses to be bold without being reckless, simplify their plan and focus on work that truly moves the needle. Her expertise spans brand storytelling, customer-centric campaigns, innovation on a budget, retail strategy and high-impact workshops.  

In this session, Shemaine will explore: 

• Creating content that converts into sales – what to post, where and how often 

• Building a community, not just a follower count – turning followers into loyal fans 

• Crafting a brand people remember – how to be distinctive in a crowded feed 

• Practical tips for small teams and tight budgets 

You’ll leave with concrete ideas, simple frameworks and content prompts you can use immediately in your own social channels.  

Event Schedule (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) 

• 10:00 AM – Welcome & Introductions 
  Settle in, meet fellow participants and get clear on what you want to take from the session. 

• 10:10 AM – Expert Session with Shemaine Doyle 
  Social Media That Sells: practical strategies to create content that converts, nurture a community and build a memorable brand online.  

• 11:00 AM – Open Forum Q&A 
  An interactive session with Shemaine where you can ask specific questions about your own channels, content and brand challenges. 

• 11:20 AM – Networking Activity & Opportunity Sharing 
  Structured networking to share insights, swap ideas, find potential collaborators and expand your Powerhouse network. 

• 11:50 AM – Closing Remarks 
  Key takeaways and next steps to keep the momentum going after the event. 

• 12:00 PM – Close 

Facilitator: 
Shemaine Doyle, Founder of Brave

Why Attend? 

This Business Break is ideal for you if: 

• You’re posting on social media but not seeing the sales you’d like 

• You want to stand out online without a huge marketing budget 

• You’re ready to move from “random posting” to a more strategic, confident approach 

• You want to learn alongside other ambitious women and build your support network 

By attending, you’ll gain: 

• A clearer sense of what to focus on in your social media 

• Practical tools for creating content that converts 

• Ideas to grow a loyal community around your brand 

• New connections with women who understand the realities of running and growing a business 

Investment & Booking 

A contribution of €25 per session applies.