March 2021 Case studies

A Cardiff-based content development disruptor secures funding and creates jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic. EatSleep Media is a content development agency in Cardiff, which does things a little bit differently. With a team of experienced videographers, film-makers and communicators, and support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service, the business found ways to grow despite the challenges, by developing more entertaining and unique content. £20,000 secured through the Economic Resilience Fund Phase 2 and 3...

An innovative graphic design studio opens its doors in Cardigan, with start-up support from Business Wales. Mana Design was set up by graphic designers Robin Stanley and Dan Rickards to provide innovative graphic design services. Having attended a Business Wales start-up workshop in early March and benefitted from further advisory support on how to set up, the entrepreneurs successfully started the business in Cardigan town centre in October 2020. Successful start. 2 jobs created. Large...

An entrepreneur from Penarth benefits from a volunteer business mentor to develop and grow her coaching business. Claire Baker Coaching was set up by life coach Claire Baker to help HR professionals prevent, overcome and recover from professional or personal burnout. Claire worked with a volunteer business mentor, as part of the Welsh Government’s Business Wales Mentoring programme, to develop her brand, products and services, and has successfully moved to online delivery during lockdown. Introduction...

Experienced hospitality managers embark on a new business journey amidst the pandemic to bring a different hospitality experience to Cardiff. Caroline and Tudor Barber decided to overcome the Covid-19 challenges by using lockdown as an opportunity to realise their ambition of owning a food and hospitality venue in Cardiff. The Welsh Government’s Business Wales service has supported them with start-up issues, enabling the pair to source funding and successfully pick up the keys for their...

A fashion designer from France settles in West Wales to foster a sewing community and inspire more people to make their own clothes. With a wealth of experience teaching people to sew and knowledge in garment construction and pattern cutting, Camille Jacquemart started Thimble Studios in 2013 to offer a variety of sewing courses. Faced with challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Camille benefitted from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service and was matched with...

A new biochar business set up with Business Wales’ support in West Wales is hoping to contribute to a carbon-neutral Wales. With business and farming experience respectively, Carys Taylor and husband Hemi decided to diversify and supplement their farm income by launching a new business, developing biochar products – a charcoal based probiotic suitable for gardening/horticulture, agriculture and hydroponics. With support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service, Carys and Hemi successfully launched Dad's Farm...

The Business Wales Barriers Grant helped a full-time carer from Ceredigion start her own natural beauty business. Suzanne Burgess managed to overcome a number of challenges and launched her natural beauty and cosmetics business, Green Heart Aromatics. She approached the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service for help and was successful in securing funds via the Barriers Grant to help with start-up costs including packaging, label design and website development. £2000 secured through the Business Wales...

A Powys solopreneur launches an online training business, focused on professional and personal development courses. An experienced adult educator, having developed and run online courses for a number of years, Siobhan Riordan decided to invest her knowledge, skills and belief in creating a new kind of virtual training using a Learning Community model. Learning Communities Network received support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service and was able to launch successfully, already attracting customers from...