We Can & We Will Talk networking group relaunched

A BUSINESS networking group last month relaunched in the place where it belongs, according to Amanada Delaney, founder of ‘We Can & We Will Talk.’

Delaney, a business mentor, and mindset coach, established the group in 2017 with husband Ian, and all was going well until covid restrictions meant the group could not meet in person at a Bank of Ireland premises.

The spark for reigniting the group occurred after a tragedy, when one of their former members Denise Brannick, from Rathfarnham, sadly passed away in December.

Amanda was devastated, and ultimately felt compelled to reconnect members and restart the group’s Facebook page, which had become inactive, but which has close to 1k members.

This week, the “business networking community” are back in business at The Edge, an incubation hub in Tallaght, which is close to Homelawn, where Amanda originally grew up.

“My mother Bessie Palmer was one of the residents who collected money door to door, for a community centre there years ago.

“I kept passing by The Edge and eventually went in to see what it is about.

“It is an amazing place and when I got in there thought to myself ‘this is brilliant thanks Ma.’

“I wasn’t sure before but, made the decision to relaunch the group at The Edge,” said Amanda.

By sheer coincidence, Amanda received a phone call from Amy Keatinge, Enterprise and Project Manager at Partas, the organisation which runs The Edge, with a proposal.

“It was an incredible coincidence,” concedes Amanda.

Fastrack to February and We Can & We Will Talk held it’s relaunch at The Edge.

“It was packed to the rafters, phenomenal energy” said Amanda, who lives in Kilnamanagh.

“We sold 67 tickets and there was also people standing.

Members travelled from far and wide, including people who arrived from Cavan, Tipperary and Clare.”

The events, which are held every two months, have the same format, with members simply telling their own “authentic” stories.

At The Edge, speakers included Sister’s Sheds creators Rachel and Sherin Hughes, Accountant specialist Alison Furney, and Life and Career Coach Patrick Mercie.

“It is all inclusive with many benefits. Denise’s legacy lives on.

“This year, it really feels like people are coming out of covid. I get a sense of a shift,” said Amanda.

The next We Can & We Will Talk event takes place at The Edge on April 17, from 6.30pm to 9pm, and every two months thereafter.

For further details visit their Facebook page.