Isabella Jackson

A 24-year-old woman from Abergele has whisked her way to success after launching her own home bakery.  

Isabella Jackson launched The Welsh Squirrel Bakery in October 2023 and specialises in offering homemade bakes including traditional classics like victoria sponge, cupcakes and fondant celebration cakes, as well as vegan offerings like cinnamon buns and cookies.  

The talented baker is autistic and with a sensitivity to noise and often finding social interactions difficult, this led her to consider self-employment as an option.  

With a sensitivity to noise and often finding social interactions difficult, Isabella decided to consider self-employment as an option. 

Isabella said: “As a child I helped my mum in the kitchen and baking is something we continue to do together. My family, and my mum in particular, have been essential throughout and have always supported me. My mum helps with the communicative aspects of running a business as well as assisting me in the kitchen. She also helps to run my social media channels.” 

Since opening, Isabella has received over 100 orders and has been asked by a local vegan café in Llandudno to supply some of her popular vegan bakes.  

Isabella launched The Welsh Squirrel Bakery with the support of Big Ideas Wales, a Welsh Government-funded service that, as part of Business Wales, aims to support anyone between the age of ​​16 and 24 to develop a business idea, including students and graduates, as part of its commitment to the Young Person’s Guarantee.  

Shortly after reaching out to Big Ideas Wales, Isabella was paired with Business Advisor, Peter Donovan, who has since helped her build a business plan and work through the legalities of owning a business. Peter also introduced Isabella to the Young Persons Start Up Grant and helped her with her application. Having been successfully awarded, Isabella put the grant towards purchasing necessary baking equipment for her kitchen.  

She said: “Big Ideas Wales has been instrumental in helping me set up The Welsh Squirrel Bakery. The advice I’ve received in particular has been consistently helpful and encouraging. I am very grateful to Big Ideas Wales for all their support.” 

Business Advisor, Peter Donovan, added: “I’m very pleased at the progress Isabella has made with her business since launching in October. With such a supportive family system, her bakery is going from strength to strength, and I wish her every success in her future endeavours.”  

Isabella is currently putting plans in place to attend markets and has signed up to host a pop-up stall at the Christmas Fair at St Michael’s Church in Abergele. She also plans on supplying more of her baked treats to cafes in the local area, with the dream of opening her own traditional tea shop in the future.