September 2020 Case studies

A Swansea entrepreneur overcomes the disappointments of lockdown to start his own caravan-cleaning business. Sparkle Pro Caravan Cleaning Ltd launched in 2020 in Swansea. Owner Ian Thomas approached the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service to enquire about available start-up support to get his idea off the ground. Having engaged with a start-up adviser, Ian was able to: successfully start in August 2020 secure £3,000 through Purple Shoots create 1 job Introduction to business Started by...

Brought up and educated in Nigeria, Margaret Ogunbanwo set up her business, Maggie’s Exotic Foods, in an attempt to recreate some of the culinary delights that she was brought up with. The business was inspired by Maggie’s passion for her African heritage, love for food, cooking and seeing young people, especially women, grow to their full potential. Maggie’s Exotic Foods was established in 1997 and offers a range of authentic homemade products, exotic ingredients, including...

An entrepreneur from Swansea spends lockdown getting her brand new hair salon up and running as restrictions start to ease With over 10 years’ experience in hairdressing, Llinos Davies decided to launch her own hair salon in Ystalyfera, Swansea. She got in touch with the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service for start-up support and has since successfully set up LD Hair & Bridal. start-up support with business planning and financial forecasts successfully launched in July...

A former Royal Marine launches dream fitness business in Treforest with support from Business Wales. Neil Adams started Mindset Functional Fitness to offer gym classes and facilities to local people to help their physical and mental well-being. He received support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service first to start as a sole trader and then to launch his limited company. He is now working with Business Wales to explore ways to further scale up...

A North Wales pub owner transforms inn into a community shop to help locals during lockdown. Faced with numerous challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, wife and husband Janet and Tim Costidell turned their traditional village inn into a community shop and a delivery service to help those who most need it during lockdown. The entrepreneurial family has benefited from the ongoing advice and support of the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service first to take...

Originally from Hong Kong, Ching Man Yates (known as Carman) is a young female entrepreneur who decided to move to West Wales from Cardiff with her family and establish an Asian Fusion restaurant. Fusion (Cardigan) is built on a modern contemporary concept and specialises in local cuisine from Hong Kong and Japan. Carman and her brother Wilson Yeung designed the brand and devised the food menu, offering a real blend of traditional family-cooked meals from...