Sheila Anne has run her own business for 35 years – and for the past 30 years has worked directly with small businesses providing Financial and Management support, particularly in the areas of Book-keeping, Accounts, Taxation, Strategic Planning and Operations.

Being born to parents who were self-employed in separate family businesses, from a very early age Sheila Anne worked in wholesale, manufacturing and retail environments, learning first hand all aspects of running a business. She also worked for many years in direct selling, working up from a sales representative to an area manager with a team of over 30 independent sales representatives. She trained her team members in product knowledge, customer care, selling and communication techniques and won numerous awards during her time as area manager.

In 1989 Sheila Anne set up West Cork Business Services based in Skibbereen, West Cork where she is now supported by team of 4 staff members. For nearly 30 years, she has provided comprehensive support, including Book-Keeping, Accounting, Taxation, Human Resources/Employment, Training and Business Development to hundreds of businesses in a wide range of activities.

As well as providing advice and mentoring for clients, she assists them in conducting Feasibility Studies and producing Business Plans. Sheila Anne is an experienced and accomplished trainer and mentor; she has acted as a mentor to Back to Work Enterprise Allowance participants and Microfinance Loan applicants for many years. She has also mentored clients for West Cork, Cork City and Kerry Local Enterprise Offices.

Over the past 25 years, Sheila Anne has been involved in a wide range of community and voluntary groups, including a number of successful social enterprises such as a seaweed co-op. She was a founding member of Skibbereen Adult Literacy Organisation and the West Cork Women Against Violence (Domestic Violence Support) Project. She is a board member and current Treasurer of the Project. She is also a board member of Skibbereen Credit Union and was a board member of West Cork Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) until it was amalgamated under a national umbrella in 2018.