A rendezvous of musings on my micro social enterprises - Focused Solutions; Life Dreaming; & Lippylala – and other things that take my fancy.
My name is Liz Lennon.
For those who need to know about my formal qualifications … here goes … Bach. App. Sc. Psyc … Grad. Dip. Recreation … Partial completion Master of Business Admin (did 7 out of 12 modules and left when the remaining 5 were all about international finance … blah).
Liz Biz is the umbrella name for all the social enterprises.
Apart from my micro social enterprises (and I really really want to keep them small and happily manageable) I love:
- researching and wandering online
- working with local children to create the Sunny Funny Garden
- playing with friends & family
- enjoying solitude & reading
- planning how to build a cob home for my old (er) age
- living with my mad dog Coco
- writing about life in Ballinamore on Liz Biz
- living in rural Ireland
- I love champagne, red wine and my fire on cold winter days
I’m a great fan of city breaks …I cried when I had to leave Paris; stayed in a convent in Rome that was part of the Borghese palace; got offered a job by a fast talking, blue wigged woman in New York; was cosseted by waiters as I had afternoon tea at the Ritz in London.
What’s not to like?
I am a curious person and love exploring ideas on anything from marketing, design, social justice, social entrepreneurship; learning technology; open source systems; organic gardening; …
I was born to Irish parents in NewZealand; raised in Australia & moved to Ireland in 1993. In Ireland I’ve lived in Dublin, Sligo and now live in the lovely town by the canal - Ballinamore. County Leitrim.
And when I’m not doing all those things, I am training to represent Ireland in the lolling & lethargy olympics. Looks like I’m on the way to a gold medal.
The values that inform everything I do are -
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- ethical profit
- beauty in design & execution
- imagination in collaboration
- investment in people’s dreams
- quality products & processes
My purpose is to
Work with People to Create Powerful, Just & Celebratory Places to Work and Live
A percentage of profits from all my micro businesses is given to individuals and organisations each year to invest in their dreams. My wonderful clients also receive discounts and free time as a reward and recognition for their efforts.
is an ethical consultancy that works with organisations and communities to collaboratively reflect, plan and action the next part of their future. Most of my work has been in the not for profit sector and small creative private sector organisations. For the last 10 or so years I have done a lot of work in the Homeless and Arts sectors in Dublin, Galway & Belfast.
in a beautiful space I create a 1 day process for women to reflect on what’s important in their life right now … chocs & cherries; great food; deep cushioned chairs and some great questions and conversations … and a cocktail at the end of the day. It’s a space to take yourself away from the trenches of the day to day – and – explore what the landscape of your life is and can be. I’ll be running Life Dreaming in Dublin in the opulent surroundings of the Odessa Club sometime in 2009. I have had interest from people in New york, Singapore & Perth to run Life Dreaming workshops.
- The Life Dreaming workbook was given away free on February 9 2009. I wrote it to accompany the workshops and decided to share it out to anyone that could use it.
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Lippylala – In 2009/10 I will be creating an online space full of beautiful things sourced globally as close to the producer as possible – many products will be made from recycled materials.Profit & pricing will be fair to producers,customers & Lippylala. I’m in the process of developing this business and hope to launch it at the end of 2009.
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I’m developing a new social enterprise in 2009. It will be an online learning space for small to medium non profit organisations. Spaces for workers to share & communicate their knowledge about good work practice. Depaul Ireland … a national charity working with homeless people in Dublin and Belfast … has agreed to be the testing ground.
If you want to contact me just leave a comment with your email address and I’ll be happy to chat.
Hi! I’m based in Portland, Oregon, USA, and doing research on food tourism. I noticed you had prepared a tourism draft paper last year, with one action item being a round table discussion to be held during 2007/08. I’m trying to understand regional food tourism efforts around the world, and I’d really appreciate hearing about what’s happening in your part of the world. Thanks for your attention to this! Cheers, John
Hi Liz,
Can you drop me a line?
Regards,
Johnny
My family is from County Longford in Ireland. And my name IS Elizabeth Lennon (I took my maiden name back after my divorce) I was born in New Jersey, US and live now in Florida. I “googled” my name just to see what was “out there” and found you.
I am 65 years old, have 3 children and 11 grandchildren. My father’s mother and father were born in Ireland and moved to the US in the 1890′s. My dad died at the ripe old age of 99 (born in 1901) and he was a vaudvillian “hoofer”. I grew up in a musical family, love to sing and play the ukelele. Of course my dad loved to dance.
I owned a dance studio for children for a time, and then went on to b e an “entrepreneur” and opened a Christian Restaurant called The Gathering Place. It was fine dining eatery, and on weekends we had a “coffee house” with Christian musical groups.
Your pictures remind me of my own family, a lot of family resemblance for the Lennons.
I like to write songs and perform and I also am involved in sleuthing a missing child case (two years missing – Trenton Duckett at the age of 2).
I would love to chat with you, you sound extremely interesting and likeable.
I was also a missionary in 1988 in Rumania and Yugoslavia and lived in Holland for 8 months. I traveled from the south of England to the north of Scotland, but unfortuneatly I was unable to go to Ireland (which someday I will do)>
I hope to hear from you.
Thank you, I am enjoying your blog.
Liz Lennon
Hi Liz,
Just to make contact. I’m also antipodean and living in Leitrim/Cavan since 1979. I do farming and forestry and I have just starting blogging under localforestlog.wordpress
I don’t look that often, as don’t spend that much time at computer. But I like your site. It’s chatty and friendly and lots of info about the locality.
Wishing you well. Jan
Hello Liz!
What a lovely surprise to come across your blog quite by accident (or by Providence, more likely). I’ve enjoyed your entries, your photos, and especially those of your beautiful dog, Coco.
This blog of yours is special to me for many reasons. It gives me the opportunity to read the thoughts and experiences of another woman trying to make businesses work, and inspires me to ponder my own challenges and dreams in new ways. You’ve developed a great sense of home and community for yourself there which is something I admire–and envy. [s] And the location is especially close to my heart, though I have never been there: my father’s families all emigrated from Leitrim. My grandmother, Anne O’Rourke, was born in the vicinity of Ballinamore and often told me of the many friends and adventures she had there before she came to America at the tender age of 18.
So I plan on being a frequent visitor to your blog, Liz, and cheering you on from here in New England. I wish you many blessings and much success in the new year, as well as many happy hours with your friends, and dear Coco.
All the best to you, Liz!
Anne
Hello Lizzy
Please email us on Kath’s website – we are thinking of you and want to catch up.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Lots of Love Lisa and Kathleen
Will email tomorrow.
Happy new year and much love to you both.
xxx Liz
Hi Liz, hope you are well and happy New Year, love your blog btw very joyous and I like the whole life approach.
I’m now working for Visual Artists Ireland as their Education Officer. We are running Professional Development Training for Visual Artists country wide and I was wondering if you would be interested and available to facilitate a workshop looking at creative evaluation skills?
I am currently planning a programme of workshops for Belfast commencing in late April or early May and some for the Autumn 09 that will focus on skills for artists working in context with different groups. We felt an evaluation skills workshop would also be appropriate to this area. If you would like to get a sense of our most recent programme see: http://www.visualartists.ie/sfr_current_prog.html
My work number if you wish to call is 01 872 2296
Kind regards & best wishes
Monica
Monica Flynn
Education Officer
Visual Artists Ireland
Hi Liz -
Thank You so much for your piece on our new salon in Ballinamore. please let me know if you’d like to pop in for a Complimentary Massage and I will arrange for you.
Also just to let you know we are holding a special skincare promotion day on Monday the 19th of January with Free Skin Analysis and Free Face Mapping -
20% off all dermalogica Facial Treatments
10% off all dermalogica products
Thank You -
If you could send me the link to your site I will include it in our links
Regards
Derek Caldbeck
Hi Lizzy
Contact us please – Lisa is off to ‘Little Britain’ on 27 Feb and wants to see you!!!
Email – you know where..
Love to you and little Coco monster.
Lisa and KathleenXXX
Hey Kath
I emailed Lisa yesterday and will ring today.
xxxx Liz
Hi Liz,
I was recommended your site by Dee @ The Forge. I’m over in Ballinamore every May and wish I could be there more often (maybe one day…). Like your site and hopefully it will keep me in touch with the town while I’m away.
Best wishes,
Mandy
HI Many
You’re very welcome to this blog.
Let me know if there’s any place in particular that you’d like me to photograph around Ballinamore.
Best regards
Liz
Liz,
have loved reading your Blog, my sisiter has a cottage in Ballinamore,on the way out of town (to Ballyconnel) it on the right handside just past the turning for the Horse center.
She’s had it about ten years maybe you know her Angelina Dolan?
Anyway we’re back every summer, my wife & I are coming back with our new baby (due May)!!
So I’m going to buy you a pint in Mc Girls, my fav pub!!
We’re actually thinking of getting out of the Rat Race & taking advantage of the collapse of the Irish property market (Hooray)!
We’re staying in my Uncles farm house in Glangevlin for three weeks in the beginning of Aug, I’ll ask around town to see where you live as we’d like to meet you!
At the moment we’re in Chicago, but we feel Europe beckons…
Great blog, keep it up.
Brian
HI Brian
Always a treat hearing from readers.
I’ve only been in Ballinamore for 30 months and not sure if I met your sister.
The sun is shining today for Paddy’s Day and we’re all hoping for a sunny summer … after 3 wet ones.
Love to have a pint when you and your wife visit … properties around here have gone way down in price.
I’m the pink cottage just up from the Forge in High St … Dee always has some idea where I am.
Have a lovely day
slan
Liz
Hi you I am just around the corner at the border of Co.Leitrim & Cavan and like your blog. I share some of your interests and would like to meet you sometimes. I heard from Aine about you. If you like to know more about me and my business log on to http://www.bearessentials.ie
Kindly Anke
HI Anke
I’ve heard of your Bear workshop. My stepmum used to make bears and my Dad would make furniture for them … they’re all over their home in Australia.
I’ll pop you a line via email.
slan
Liz
Looking forward meeting you.
Your blog is lovely.
Can you help me to find out about RSS feeds? Question came up in a course yesterday.
We have been asked to facilitate also a course in how to set up your own blog. If anyone interested please contact Anke on 0877610537 or email anke@bearessentials.ie
See you soon.
Any body interested in our “Craft In The Classroom” project in St.Patrick’s Boys National School in Balliamore please view the blog of the boys from 2nd & 3rd class and see what we are up to.
http://saintpatricksschool.wordpress.com/ and please leave a comment.
Anke
Hi Liz this is Paul Gill from i radio.I’ve entered my bebo page so you can get an idea of what I’m about! my website is a few years out of date but its http://www.paulgill.ie
it great the way you come up tops on google. enjoyed talking to you on Sunday.
regards
paul
Hi Paul
I had fun chatting away.I love doing radio and might check out if we have any community radio over here.
I’d mentioned on my Facebook that I was going on your show and 2 of my friends in America streamed it live!
Will check out your site.
Keep up the good work.
Liz
Hi Liz, what a great site you have, my family come from Aughnasheelin, ‘Greagreavamore Glebe’ to be precice. Unfortunately the land commision forced the sale of our land in the early 70s, and that ended my childhood ambition to be a farmer in Ireland.
I did belatedly realise that ambition, when I pulled in Liam MacGirl’s hay with his brakeless tractor, during the festival 07. I got to be a farmer in Ireland for three day’s. another item ticked of my before I die list. Thanks Liam.
Like you Liz, I had been born to Irish parents in Glasgow. we always came ‘home’ at Glasgow fair for our holidays. I say holidays, but my parents Pearse and Eileen and my sister’s Maraed and Lana all worked helping my grandad Francis and uncle John O’Rourke (Ram Rourke’s) bring in the hay with the neighbours.
Our cottage had a thatched roof and the cows were adjoining with stalls for calves and pigs. Our cart horse was called charlie and had a white star on his forehead. He would often try and come into the house, sticking his head over the half door, grandad threw me up on him once and told me he was mine. Unfortunately horses like dogs don’t live long enough.
I have many delightfull memories of my childhood visits to our mountain farm. One of my duties was to collect the eggs in the morning when I would go into the byre barefoot and take great delight as the cows muck squished between my toes. I then had to collect two pails of water from Snt Patrick’s well at the bottom of the road. I would dutifully fill them up to the brim, but I fear that I never managed to deliver a full pail of water, no one complained, and i just went back for more.
One of my earliest memories of the rustic nature of our dwelling became imprinted on me, was when I asked my grandad where the toilet was, there was this great laugh at the confusion on my face as I was handed the spade, I was relieved when I was told to go up to the woods and dig a hole. (I couln’t think how I was going to do it onto the spade) Eventualy i got the message, but I caused more laughter when i asked for the toilet paper, to which the answer was “sure collect the docon leaves on your way up”
My grandad Francis once told me proudly that i was his heir and that one day the farm would be mine, (before emancipation and uncle John being a bachelor)He chewed tobacco and was always on the lookout for jelly sweets if I had any. He was the very best, and i still love him to this day. He is my resilance factor.
I have four children, and four granchldren of my own, and when i regail them with stories of how difficult and great life was for my people in the days of my child hood, I am always met with unbelief.
I remember one time when we arrived up the mountain having spent some time with my mothers cousins (Conway’s) in Ballianamore, we arrived at our cottage and there was no one at home, I went over the fields to find uncle John in the bottom field, he was scything his way through wheat or barley, it was golden any way, he was about a third of the way through it, with his bunnet back to front on his head. (There is nothing new in this world) I always thought that it was so romantic to be able to live like that. when I grew older and had my own family, and had worked hard for my own living, it then dawned on me how hard life was in rural Ireland in the late fifties. They relied on community to see them through the worst.
I am in my sixtieth year and still reasonably fit. I live in the West Highland town of Fort William in the North West of Scotland. I am truly blessed to live in such,a beautifull place, where I can see beauty every where I look when I leave my home.
As to your friends loss of JJ, I have a wee westie, which we call Jennie, she came into our family a year ago at six weeks old, and before she came, i might have said, ‘its only a dug’, however she has brought healing, joy, love and loyalty into our lives in equal measures,so I empathise with her feeling of loss.
I was unable to come to this years festival but god willing I will make it home in the near future, and if I bump into you at all, then I hope you won’t mind if I say hello.
Thanks again for creating space for the little people.
Love and Peace Tommy O’Rourke
Oh My God !
Is that really YOU !!!
You are a hard lady to find.
Talk soon.
Nomes xxx
how did you get your picture on the title space;)
Hi ALexandra
You create the look you want in photoshop to the size of the header and insert it. The theme has to have a custom header so you can use it to insert whatever you have created.
Looks like you’re just beginning your design.
Liz
Hello Liz, I hope you’ll remember me. I had the pleasure of working with you in 1998/2000 on an SI project called Pathways. I thought of you the other day and decided to look you up. I was surprised and delighted to see that you live in Ballinamore. My father has semi retired up there. I’m going to be spending a week there from the 19th so if you are still here I’d love to meet up for a cup of tea and ten years worth of chat and to wish to well on your new adventure. All the best, Sandra Adams
adamscjsandra@gmail.com 085 111 3740