They asked if there is a Turtle Day and a Bubble Bath Day then why can’t there be a Women’s Entrepreneurship Day?

Since 2014, the nineteenth of November has hosted the United Nations’ Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED), an event recognised and celebrated across 144 nations promoting the reduction of poverty by supporting and empowering women in business.

On Friday, several events were held worldwide to celebrate WED. In Belfast one was sponsored by Ulster Bank, which at the beginning of 2016 launched Entrepreneurial Spark, a new free business accelerator programme for supporting entrepreneurs.

Among the great women in the room there were also a few great men. One of them was Lord Alderdice who spoke about the importance of recognizing women’s role in society.

We need women to be women, he said, as there are already enough men being men; we don’t need more men. Women bring something different to the table and hold something important for society.

I agree. Women do bring something different to the table, and around any table we need men and women to create a great society; not only women and not only men but a great mix of both.

Northern Ireland has definitely some great women around its table and three of them are ambassadors of WED: Tina McKenzie as European Ambassador; Cathy Martin, Ireland Ambassador; and Eva Grosman, Northern Ireland Ambassador.

There were many more women in the room who act as mentors to others, who share their professional and personal experiences, challenges and achievements.

A key learning from the event is that everyone, man and woman, has a story to share. Another is to never be afraid to ask questions; sometimes women are afraid to ask, but they have nothing to lose.

There are no stupid questions because no one knows everything, and we all keep learning no matter which point in life we are at. We can learn lessons from someone in their teens, someone in their 40s or in their 80s.

Northern Ireland is not a big place but it does have many amazing men and women. Days like Women’s Entrepreneurship Day provide a reminder of all the great women in business, a chance to celebrate their hard work and support them on their path to success.

You can find put more about Women’s Entrepreneurship Day at: www.womenseday.org/