Lleucu Ifans

Growing up in rural West Wales, I always felt there was a gap in the opportunities available to young people compared to those in towns and cities. I saw first hand how access to different sporting experiences, activities, and creative events could shape confidence, wellbeing, and ambition - and I wanted to bring those opportunities closer to home.

That’s where the idea for my business began. I launched Actif-i-ti with a simple goal: to deliver high-quality sports coaching, physical literacy, and wellbeing sessions in schools, nurseries, and community settings. What started small quickly grew as more people saw the value of what we were offering. Over time, I began introducing new and exciting ideas to events and celebrations locally, which led to the creation of a second business, Par-ti, focused on delivering fun, inclusive parties and experiences with something for everyone.

For me, building the business locally wasn’t just a professional decision - it was a personal one. Staying in the area and raising my son here was incredibly important to me. I wanted him, and other young people growing up in rural communities, to have access to the same exciting opportunities that you might typically find in a city. Instead of moving away to find those experiences, I was determined to create them here.

Like many entrepreneurs, my journey hasn’t been without its challenges. COVID hit during the very early stages of the business, and almost overnight everything stopped. I went from working full days, every day, to having very little at all. It was a difficult and uncertain time, but it also pushed me to adapt and rethink how I could keep moving forward. That period, while tough, became one of the most valuable learning experiences in my journey and helped shape the resilience I rely on today.

What keeps me going is the opportunity to challenge myself and carve out my own path. Building something from the ground up in a place that means so much to me has been incredibly rewarding. I hope my story shows that you don’t have to leave your community to achieve something meaningful - you can create opportunities, inspire others, and make a real difference right where you are.