December 2020 Case studies

An art gallery owner secures funding to tackle Covid-19, while launching a new business, thanks to support from Business Wales. Having faced financial difficulties with her fine art gallery, artist and entrepreneur Jo Frost turned to the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service for help. She received advice on keeping the business afloat, including help to secure funding. As a result, Jo was able to increase Tides Fine Art Gallery’s turnover and even start a new...

A productivity training and support company goes from strength to strength during the Covid-19 pandemic, with help from Business Wales. Founded by Claire Farren as an answer to her need for a better work-life balance, Farrens is a Bridgend-based business that specialises in streamlining processes and challenging mindsets for companies. Claire got in touch with the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service for guidance on how to take the business to the next level and has...

A prestige private chauffeur business launches in South Wales with support from Business Wales, the Development Bank of Wales and Newport City Council. Faced with redundancy due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Carl Harris from Newport seized the opportunity to turn his experience and passion into his own business. With support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service, Carl was able to source finance and successfully set up Luxstar Ltd in November 2020. successfully incorporated £24,676...

An after-death planning start-up enjoys growth following advice from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service. The Sunset Plan is a North Wales business, set up to help families plan and solve various admin tasks after death. Founder Kerry Jones came up with the idea following a distressing personal experience, and has since worked with a Business Wales adviser on all aspects of starting up. start-up support and advice including cash flow, marketing, GDPR and copyright...

A qualified coach from Cardiff launches her own business, helping people and organisations navigate the path to sustainable living. With over 20 years’ experience running events, workshops and training , Mary Duckett started Ecobalance Courses to provide courses and coaching to individuals and organisations, helping them discover a way to sustainable, ethical living. Mary got in touch with the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service for help starting up, and thanks to advisory support, was able...