Mullingar entrepreneur Enda Geoghegan received yet another accolade for his business achievements on Monday when his company Lift Hire Ireland scooped the Overall Winner Award at this year’s Local Enterprise Office Enterprise Awards.
The 30-year-old, who also holds the title of Westmeath’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year, founded Lift Hire Ireland along with his father Sylvester in 2008. The company specialises in van, truck and trailer mounted lifts reaching 10 to 60 meters and provides fully trained and experienced operators.
Speaking to Topic, Enda said he was absolutely over the moon with the win. “It was a bit of shock and I wasn’t expecting it. There is some fairly stiff competition in Westmeath so I’m absolutely delighted to win and thrilled to be able to represent the county in the national finals.”
He revealed that the family run business came about from the death of the Celtic Tiger which made way for the recession. “My father set up Power Washing Ireland in 1990 which specialises in cleaning exteriors of buildings and structures throughout Ireland. Lift Hire came about when things got a bit quieter during the recession and we decided to start a new business hiring out our lifts. We have eight full-time staff and two part-time and are based in Mullingar and offer our services nationwide.”
Enda had some words of advice for anyone who was thinking about setting up their business venture. “I’d say to anyone who is thinking about getting into business to go and do it because there is never going to be an easy time to start your own business. We all know how tough the last few years. We’ve got through what will be recorded as the worst recession in the history of the State, but we’re on the other side now. Things are going to get better and improve.”
The award wasn’t the only win of the day for the Mullingar man who also took home the Best Established Business award.
Other winners on the day included brothers James and Adrian Sherlock of Smart Analytics who received the Innovation award and Ciarán Gorman and Darren Fenton of Bev Craft trading as Craft Canning who were triumphant in the start up category.
Cathaoirleach Frank McDermott said he was thrilled to be at the event and that small businesses and said start-ups in Westmeath were the life blood of the country. “Today’s announcement is the culmination of a process of hard work from all the applicants in each category. Entrants submitted detailed business plans and pitched their proposals to the judging panels. Businesses and entrepreneurs provide valuable employment and the success of your business didn’t come without numerous mistakes but you are the heart and soul of our business and employment opportunities on this island. I want to congratulate Christine Charlton, Head of Enterprise at Westmeath LEO and her team, for their encouragement and I wish all of you good luck and continued success in your businesses.”
Special guest at the event was Mullingar man Gerry Duffy who gave a talk on the three ‘muscle groups’ that business owners should exercise in order to bring their companies forward as well as four business principles that he applies to his own work as a professional speaker and writer.
The competition is part of the National LEO Enterprise Awards organised by the network of Local Enterprise Offices to give recognition to the contribution of small enterprises to the national economy.
Enda will go on to represent Westmeath at the National Finals which are to be held on Thursday, 25 May.
