In 2000 Paula Fitzsimons made a decision to concentrate her consultancy in areas related to entrepreneurship. This decision was made in light of a clear recognition of the benefits that flow from entrepreneurship for the wider economy and for the individual entrepreneur.
Fitzsimons Consulting has positioned itself to the fore in the area of entrepreneurship, understanding the needs of entrepreneurs, the environment for entrepreneurship, policy and programme priorities, as well as academic research in the area.
Paula Fitzsimons designed and developed Going for Growth, an initiative to support women entrepreneurs focused on growth. Over 1,000 participants have taken part in Going for Growth. The initiative is supported and funded by Enterprise Ireland and by KPMG. To read more click here.
Paula also developed another initiative ACORNS, aimed at supporting early stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland. The initiative, now in its eleventh cycle, is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. ACORNS has recently been shortlisted for a European Enterprise Award, Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills. To read more, click here.
More recently, Fitzsimons Consulting has developed and delivered Back for Business, an initiative to support early stage entrepreneurs among returned Irish emigrants. This programme is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. To read more, click here.
Paula Fitzsimons was also centrally involved in the design and development of Senior Enterprise, a transnational initiative, which focused on encouraging a greater involvement of those over 50 with enterprise. Paula was appointed Communication Manager and Fitzsimons Consulting provided project co-ordination. Senior Enterprise was supported by the EU though INTERREG IVB NWE and by its three partners – the Mid-East Regional Authority (Lead Partner), PRIME (a UK charity which helps people over the age of 50 get back into work through self-employment) and inno TSD (a private French company that specialises in strategic management consulting and manages the largest start-up business centre in Brittany). To read more click here.
Paula Fitzsimons is in demand as a speaker and expert facilitator and is frequently interviewed by journalists in connection with entrepreneurship and the projects with which she is associated.
The team in Fitzsimons Consulting strive for excellence in all that they do and are dedicated to making a real difference to entrepreneurs and those that support them.