Supporting women-led businesses is crucial for fostering an inclusive economy, yet there remains a significant gap in visibility and access to resources for women entrepreneurs. In many countries, including Ireland, female business owners face a lack of recognition, funding, and networks, despite their immense contribution to the economy. This disparity not only hinders their growth but also limits the broader potential of the economy itself. At KELLA, we believe that by highlighting and supporting women entrepreneurs, we can create a ripple effect that empowers not just businesses but communities as a whole.
On International Women’s Day in 2025, KELLA launched the KELLA Directory, a unique initiative dedicated to listing and promoting all-female-owned businesses. This directory has already garnered significant attention, with over 200 businesses registering within the first few weeks. The response has been overwhelming, underscoring the need for such a platform. It’s not just about having a directory—it’s about creating an accessible space for women entrepreneurs to be seen, heard, and supported.
Why This Community Directory Matters?
The KELLA Directory was born from a simple yet powerful idea: to give women-led businesses the visibility and recognition they’ve long deserved. It matters because it fills a critical gap in Ireland’s business landscape, where women entrepreneurs contribute billions to the economy but often remain underrepresented and underfunded. The directory is more than just a listing—it’s a movement.
This directory matters because it transforms the conversation about gender equality into real, tangible opportunities for women entrepreneurs. It turns “supporting women in business” from a catchy phrase into a practical, action-oriented solution that connects consumers, corporate partners, and other businesses directly to the heart of female-led ventures.
By creating this directory, we’re helping to accelerate change, making it possible for women entrepreneurs to not only thrive but to be seen and celebrated for their leadership and impact. It’s a space where women can collaborate, mentor, and empower each other. It’s about building a community that propels women forward, ensuring they are no longer the best-kept secret in business.
Hannah Wrixon, KELLA’s co-founder, explained, “This International Women’s Day, the theme is ‘Accelerate Action,’ and we, at KELLA, are committed to doing just that!” The KELLA Directory is a direct response to the critical visibility gap faced by female entrepreneurs. Despite the fact that 64% of Irish consumers want to support women-led businesses, 82% of them cannot name more than three women-led businesses in the country. The directory addresses this gap by offering a resource that connects consumers and businesses, putting women at the forefront of Ireland’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Women entrepreneurs contribute over €13 billion annually to the Irish economy, yet they continue to face underrepresentation and a significant funding disparity. With women receiving only 2.4% of venture capital funding, the KELLA Directory serves as a platform to transform these disparities into tangible action. By supporting women-owned businesses, we are not just helping individual entrepreneurs succeed—we are investing in the future of a more equitable economy. The directory not only creates economic opportunities but also contributes to reducing the gender gap in business ownership, inspiring other women to take the entrepreneurial leap.
The KELLA Directory isn’t just about listing businesses; it’s about creating a community where women can connect, share, and advocate for one another. It provides a platform for mentorship and collective action, promoting a culture of collaboration among women entrepreneurs. This initiative serves as a foundation for the future, giving women the space to become role models for the next generation of leaders.
The directory is entirely free of charge, with no membership required for businesses to join. We aim to highlight as many women-led businesses as possible, with the only requirement being that businesses must be at least 18 months old and be a minimum of 50% women-owned. The directory offers businesses the chance to be showcased in a way that highlights their unique products, services, and values—helping them to stand out and thrive in a competitive market.
Final Thoughts: Shaping the Future of Female-Led Businesses
As KELLA co-founder Hannah Wrixon boldly puts it, “We are not waiting for change to happen—we are making it happen. The KELLA Directory is a call to action, not just for women but for everyone who believes in the power of diversity and inclusion to drive real economic and social change.” The directory is not just a directory; it’s a tool for empowerment, a platform for progress, and a testament to the incredible potential that exists when women are given the opportunity to lead. By supporting women-owned businesses, we are supporting a vision of an economy where gender is no longer a barrier to success, but a catalyst for growth.
Shop, Share, and Support
Visit and support women-owned businesses in the directory here: KELLA Directory. Together, we can make a lasting impact!
