Even in the depths of a very dark and damp winter, we can still manage a smile as we look back on the last year at Stillwater Communications. Over the past 10 years we’ve worked with exceptional people and companies whose stories and expertise continue to excite us. This year in particular we found ourselves working with more Irish and international start-ups as well as leading Irish female business owners.
So, as 2015 draws to a close and we prepare to wind down our offices here on Dame Street, we look back at some of Stillwater’s highlights.
It's all about the start-ups
Cilian completed his fifth demo day with Highway1 in San Francisco a few weeks ago. This is where start-ups are presented to venture capitalists with an opportunity to pitch for investment. So far he has trained 65 companies and these companies have raised close to $100 million including our very own Drop, Ayda and Shadowman Sports in Ireland. He is also working with Enterprise Ireland, helping Irish companies prepare for their trips to Silicon Valley. It’s a privilege to work with such clever and ambitious people who quite literally see no limits to what they can achieve.
Women leading the way in business
2015 was definitely a year for leading businesswomen. Natasha kicked off the year with a keynote speech on listening to your inner calling at the Accenture International Women’s Day conference in the Convention Centre. This was followed by a talk on “What (really) works for women at work” at the IMAGE networking breakfast in May, which was hosted by the formidable Melanie Morris.
Alongside this, we’ve been working with some fantastic businesses and brands from Joanna Gardiner of Ovelle Pharmaceuticals, Emma Farrell of EF Creative Studios and Caeva O’Callaghan of O’Callaghan Insurances. We've also been working with Oonagh O’Hagan of Meagher’s Pharmacy and Ruth Monahan of Appassionata Flowers. These women are at the forefront of their industries and it has been an absolute pleasure working with them and helping them tell their stories.
The Daughterhood reaches Italian shores
Natasha and Róisín describe The Daughterhood as “the gift that keeps on giving” and never was this more true than at the Italian launch of the book, entitled “Scoprirsi Figlia”, earlier this month. This was our first foreign language publication and it was fascinating to hear the cultural differences and how Italian daughters barely get a look in! And so in ten very short months, here’s what The Daughterhood has achieved…
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Pieta House goes international
Anyone who knows us knows that we’ve been involved with suicide and self-harm charity, Pieta House, for a number of years now. 2015 may have been our fifth year walking Darkness into Light in the Phoenix Park but the sight of tens of thousands of people coming up the hill as dawn is breaking never ceases to move us in a profound way. This September, Joan Freeman opened the first Pieta House service abroad in New York City, a massive achievement for a charity that started in a kitchen in Lucan 10 years ago.
More social than sports
As always our sports and social life in Stillwater is alive and well! We’ve had some great trips away, hosted book launches and bagged tickets to some of the hottest events in Dublin. From the very special The Daughterhood book launch in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda Hospital to a summer rooftop party to a visit to the beautiful city of Venice, we've certainly been kept busy. Add to these a “sip & learn” wine-tasting evening, the Irish Book Awards and yet another Christmas party, 2015 has been a year to remember!