SMEcommunity is a new Twitter group that has been set up to encourage those running their own businesses in Ireland and further afield to embrace the collective power of social media to support and advise each other.
The group is also branching out to hold networking events around the country.
What started as a simple tweet on 16 June between two business owners quickly resulted in others joining in on the online conversation so by that evening #SMEcommunity was trending in Ireland.
Power of the tweet
Since then the Twitter group has grown its membership to include businesses spanning the country, as well as SMEs in the US that have Irish links.
“We wanted to be surrounded with people who knew what it was like to be an SME in Ireland, who were happy to help, advise, and share the community spirit and support each other,” explains SMEcommunity co-founder Debbie Harper, referring to the reason why the Twitter group was set up.
She says that as well as being a forum where people can share their experiences of the ups and downs of running an SME in the current economic climate, the group is a place where people can ask questions and network.
“It’s a community which grew out of a common interest and the willingness to succeed.”
SMEcommunity gatherings across Ireland
Now, the group is taking it one step further from the online space so that businesses can gather and meet other at different locations around the country.
So far three informal meetups have been planned, starting with a meetup at Letterkenny Institute of Technology next Tuesday, 2 August.
Then, on Wednesday, 3 August, there will be a meetup in Castlebar, Mayo at 11am at Breaffy House Hotel.
On Friday, 26 August, a meetup is planned for Dublin at the Red Cow Moran Hotel.
Harper says the meet-ups will be a chance for members and businesses to connect in person.
Those who are perhaps thinking of starting their own business are also welcome to come to these gatherings and connect with others.
For more information, visit #SMEcommunity on Twitter.
Article courtesy of Bizstartup.ie
Pictured, from top: Olwen Dawe of Irish Business Intelligence; Kehlan Kirwan of focuSMEireland.com; and Debbie Harper of Tús Nua Designs, who each played a pivotal role in setting up the burgeoning online support group for SMEs via Twitter – SMEcommunity
