March 2023 Case studies

“Business Wales has far exceeded my expectations. Every time I think I have exhausted their services, I discover another service that helps me grow my business.” Having over 20 years of experience in teaching, Paula Roberts decided to follow her aspirations of running her own yoga business. Happy Yoga Wales started trading in June 2020, but to ensure it was growing and developing into a business that would provide her full-time work, she required Business...

After fleeing the Ukraine war and relocating to Wales, Oleksandra Ivanchenko was determined to restart her business, Mimimade.ua, which manufactures and sells soft toys. Having to start the business again from scratch, she contacted Business Wales for start-up support, enabling her to rebuild her business in Wales. Her advisor supported on the business’s finances, taxes and marketing, as well as provided access to the translation of the Start-up webinar in Ukrainian. “Having fled the war...

“I would recommend Business Wales to anyone starting out, it has been invaluable.” Angharad Thomas wanted to start her own business to deliver a committed care service in English and Welsh, so she accessed Business Wales for support. Having over two decades of experience in the care sector, she had the idea to build a domiciliary care agency that prioritised kindness, compassion, and reliability within its values. Angharad initially received pre-start support from her business...

“Business Wales has helped us, from the business plan to help with taking on staff through the kickstart scheme.” Liz and Simon Kirkham decided to turn their love of boats and water into opening their own business. So, they took the plunge and bought a boatyard. With no experience of previously running a business, they were matched with a Business Wales mentor who supported Liz and Simon with the overall business management. They also attended...

“Business Wales helped me become confident in starting my own business.” After 19 years of experience in care homes and hospitals, Sophie Powell decided to start her own business as a micro carer after participating in the Monmouthshire micro care project - a collaboration between Business Wales and the Greater Gwent Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Partnership that offers support, training and advice to domiciliary care workers. Sophie is Neurodiverse and feels that becoming self-employed...

“My business is going from strength to strength, and I am so excited about where I am now and what lies ahead.” Building a business alone can feel impossible, as Eve Crystal first experienced when she decided to launch AromaRainbow Healing Feelings. This is a unique self-help coping strategy designed to stimulate positive feelings and emotions, particularly during times of stress, anxiety or depression. After contacting Business Wales for start-up advice, her advisor quickly established...

"Business Wales has supported my ambition to be a sustainable and socially conscious organisation." Qualified painter and decorator Ceri Williamson aspired to start her own business. To ensure the business could start trading, she came to Business Wales for advice. She discussed various aspects of her business idea with her expert advisor, including the business plan, forecast development, marketing strategy, and the available funding options. With the guidance from her business advisor, we’re pleased to...

"The advisors from Business Wales were incredibly helpful with our glamping business start-up, supporting us with their expertise, contacts, courses and resources, they acted as independent cheerleaders, keeping us focused and guiding us every step of the way." By the Wye is a treetop glamping accommodation provider in Hay-on-Wye. Dawn and Edith Farnworth have worked with a variety of our expert advisers to develop their business, especially focusing on how they can improve their environmental...

“The numerous phone calls with the experts certainly helped me get things right the first time round.” Gaining a wealth of skills over the years working as an accommodation manager, Delyth Jones decided to start a new venture and open her own cleaning business. Delyth lacked confidence to start the business as she had no previous experience running a business or being self-employed, so she came to Business Wales for expert advice to ensure she...

“Business Wales has enabled me to turn a hobby into a sustainable business and to expand it further.” As an ambitious young entrepreneur, Sky Irvine decided to turn her hobby into a business, setting up Snowdonia Candles selling hand poured soy wax candles and wax melts with fragrances inspired by the Snowdonia landscape across North Wales. Following the initial success of her business, Sky worked with a Business Wales adviser to provide the support she...