Shine A Light - Wexford Entrepreneurs Share Honest Reflections on Success, Struggles and Support

This week on Shine A Light with Siobhan Murphy two leading Wexford businesswomen have been sharing their experiences of building successful careers while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, family life and confidence in competitive industries.

Financial advisor Aoife Caulfield of Caulfield Financial Limited and Fiona Gainfort director and co-owner of the Gainfort Group, reflected on their journeys from early career beginnings to becoming established names in their respective sectors.

Aoife described her path into financial services as unexpected but transformative, beginning in banking before moving into life and pensions. She went on to become one of the first women in her region to work in direct sales within Irish Life, later founding her own financial brokerage.

She spoke candidly about the pressure of being the only woman in a predominantly male team and the determination required to build credibility in the industry while balancing family life.

Fiona shared how she and her husband built the Gainfort business from the ground up, beginning with limited resources and a small wholesale operation that eventually expanded into a major hair and beauty supply, education and salon design company. She also spoke about the personal challenges she faced along the way and the decision to bring her passion for teaching into the business through the creation of Gainfort Academy.

Both women highlighted that while progress has been made for women in business, challenges still remain — particularly around confidence, visibility in male-dominated environments and balancing family responsibilities with professional demands.

Aoife pointed to ongoing issues around networking culture in some sectors, noting that business relationships are still often formed in male-dominated spaces - like the golf course. While Fiona reflected on the realities of returning to work after having children, highlighting how support systems and policies have improved over time, but also how difficult it was in earlier years for self-employed women with limited maternity support.

Despite the challenges, both guests emphasised the importance of support networks, mentorship and open communication, particularly between women in business.

Aoife described her own friendship with Fiona as a key source of guidance and balance, saying that shared experience and regular conversations help both of them manage the pressures of business and life.

The episode concluded with advice for young women considering starting a business, with both guests encouraging research, mentorship, resilience and self-belief as key foundations for success.

Listen back on the podcast section of our website or wherever you get your podcasts

This programme is funded by the News Reporting Scheme.