Adra was established in 2007 as an online retail company specialising in stylish and contemporary Welsh gifts and homeware. Everything we sell is either made in Wales, designed by Welsh designers or features the Welsh language. Our products include home and kitchen accessories, bathing products, children’s gifts, jewellery, bags and greetings cards.

Do your homework thoroughly in your spare time while working full time somewhere to fund the research, then gradually becoming part time until your business can support you in full time. 

Angharad Gwyn - Adra

I started the company from my own home before moving to premises at Parc Glynllifon in 2013 where we now also have a retail shop. The business has gone from strength to strength and has become a market leader, selling goods to both private consumers and retail outlets.

I worked at the BBC for over seven years and had a desire to return to the countryside of North Wales to live. Knowing I was unable to continue my work for them there, I decided to set up on my own.

Like every new entrepreneur, my first year in business was lonely and uncertain due to a lack of experience. I found it difficult to find expert advice and relevant skills in the area and I worked unpaid for ten months to get my business launched. But today I love seeing the business succeed, getting great feedback from customers and knowing that all my hard work has paid off.

I want to inspire young people to start a business and stay in the countryside rather than follow the A470 to Cardiff!