‘I felt I had to choose between progressing my career or being there for my baby’

For Ballincollig woman Amelia McNamara, starting a business was never just about being her own boss. It was about creating a life of freedom and presence, something her late mother never had the chance to experience.

Amelia, mum to two small girls, Grace and Lilly, is the founder of Graceful ing, a financial and business strategy practice that s service-based business owners to gain clarity and confidence with their money.

At the heart of everything she does is her family, and a promise to herself not to miss the moments that matter most.

“I lost my mam, Mary, when I was 12. She was only 46 when she died from cancer,” Amelia says.

“She was from Millstreet, but we were living in London at the time. When she became ill, she wanted to return to Ireland to be close to family. After she ed, I stayed in Ireland and lived with extended family until I completed my Leaving Cert at 16. Then I moved out on my own.”

Despite that early loss, Amelia worked hard to build a future for herself. She took jobs in SuperValu and Dunnes before landing a receptionist position at Maher’s Sports. A financial controller there saw her potential and encouraged her to pursue a career in finance.

Amelia self-funded her education while working full-time and bartending in the evenings. She completed the ing Technicians course and later earned a degree in ing at CIT.

When Maher’s Sports was taken over by Elverys, Amelia was made redundant. She went on to spend the next eight years building experience in finance roles at Apple and Gilead Sciences.

Her career was thriving, but everything changed in 2022 with the birth of her first daughter, Grace.

“There was no option to return to my corporate job part-time, and we had no childcare or family nearby who could help. I felt like I had to choose between progressing in my career or being there for my baby.”

In July, 2023, Amelia made the decision to step away from corporate life and start her own business. Just a few weeks later, she discovered she was pregnant with her second daughter, Lilly, who is now a year old.

“I launched Graceful ing without any financial backing and no access to funding. That’s something I’ve found to be very common among the business owners I now work with. Banks don’t always understand or women-led or service-based businesses, especially in the early stages.”

Graceful ing works with sole traders, limited companies, and entrepreneurs across Ireland and the UK.

Amelia helps them understand their numbers, take control of cash flow, and make profitable decisions that align with their personal goals. Her clients often come to her feeling overwhelmed, unsure what they can pay themselves or how to make their business financially sustainable.

But Amelia’s goes far beyond the numbers. She offers a safe space for business owners who may feel isolated, especially those balancing business with family life or caring responsibilities.

“It’s not just about bookkeeping. I become a trusted partner in their business. I know what it’s like to have no-one to bounce ideas off, and I want to fill that gap. I want my clients to feel seen, ed, and in control.”

Amelia is also Ireland’s only certified Profit First Professional, bringing the globally respected cash management system to Ireland, and a partner of The Business Success Company, a franchise offering more than 70 business development courses designed to entrepreneurs in building solid, profitable businesses. Through this partnership, Amelia delivers training and strategy that goes far beyond finance alone.

“Being part of the franchise has given me a wider toolkit and a brilliant network of peers and mentors. I’m always learning and growing, and that’s really important to me. I want my girls to see what’s possible when you believe in yourself and take action.”

Now in the process of hiring her first team member, Amelia is expanding the practice with care, ensuring she stays true to her values of flexibility, family, and real impact.

Outside of her client work, she volunteers as the Irish Ambassador for The 6 Figure Bookkeeper, a UK-based community for ing professionals, and serves as Treasurer for The Club Women’s Network in Cork. Earlier this month, she was honoured with a Community Impact Award by Global ing software company Xero for her dedication to small business owners.

“Everything I do is about building something meaningful. I want to show my daughters that they can create a life that works for them. And I want to help others do the same. My mam didn’t get the time she deserved with us, so I’m doing my best to make every moment count, for my family and for the people I .”