Tara Dalrymple, Founder, Busy Lizzie

Tara Dalrymple is a BA Hons graduate from Gloucester University in Human Geography and Business Information Technology.

Tara began her career in London working as an account manager for a business to consumer PR agency, moving to international publishers Dorling Kindersley in their marketing and PR department, from there a move into Financial PR for Financial Dynamics working with internet listed companies. With finance and IT industry experience Tara worked as an IT Consultant for investment, Tier one and two banks and financial software companies.

Before moving to Ireland Tara worked for Marks & Spencer in the head office in their licensing department with spend of £98.0m pa across GM and Kidswear spend of £55.0m pa. Internal liaison with film studios, legal, design & licensing agencies regarding contracts negotiation, property selection, deal memos, trend research and product sign-off. Part of DB07 (David Beckham exclusive license held by M&S) team, winners of the LIMA (International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association) Celebrity/Personality License of the year 2002/2003.

Tara set up Busy Lizzie in October 2004 in Galway. The following year she set up a Dublin/Wicklow office and won BPW Innovative Business Woman of the Year 2005. In 2006 Dalrymple was listed in Top 40 Irish Female Entrepreneurs: Image Business as well as a listing in the Top 100 Women in Business by Entrepreneur Magazine. In 2007 Tara took a back seat to raise her son as well as opening a Cork and Limerick office.

Other awards received are:

• BPW Innovative Business Woman of the Year 2005
• Finalist in Midlands and West of Ireland Regional LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2005
• Finalist in JCI Galway Entrepreneur Award 2006
• Listed in Top 40 Irish Female Entrepreneurs: Image Business 2006
• Double Finalist Network Galway Business Women of the Year Award 2006
• Listed in Top 100 Women in Business by Entrepreneur Magazine 2006 & 2007
• Finalist in The Image Magazine Young Businesswoman of the Year 2008

Tara lives in Galway with her husband and young son