Sophie Morgan

When she struggled to find work after graduating, Sophie Morgan returned to Wales and took matters into her own hands, starting up her own nail business, Peaceful Polish, from home in Pembrey. 

Sophie, who had honed her nail techniques during lockdown, identified a gap in the market to provide manicure treatments to male and females and purchased manicure kit from her own nail tech who was moving to Brazil. 

She then turned to Carmarthenshire County Council’s Hwb and Careers Wales for guidance. Both referred her to Big Ideas Wales, a Welsh Government-funded service delivered through Business Wales, designed to help young people explore and develop their business ideas. The service supports young people under 25, including students and graduates, to explore and develop business ideas as part of the Young Person’s Guarantee. 

Sophie loves the opportunity that running a new business has provided as well as how it allows her to be creative. Sophie offers a full range of Indian Head and Body massages, as well as manicures and pedicures and has received nothing but positive reviews since opening. She was also thrilled to be shortlisted to represent Carmarthenshire in the Best Gel Nails category of the Official UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2025 during the summer. 

Sophie values the support and guidance she received from Michela Bloomfield, Business Adviser for Young People. 

Sophie said: “Michela has been really helpful. She told me about Big Ideas Wales’ Young Person’s Start Up Grant and helped with my application. The financial support from Big Ideas Wales has helped me study for industry qualifications including massage and nail art. With these qualifications, I have then been able to purchase OPI and NSI professional polish, which are products you can only order if you have a nail technician qualification. I now hope to take qualifications in lash lifts, waxing and brown tinting. 

“I’ve also found an online social media course really useful for guidance on advertising and marketing a new business in an area that’s new to me. Starting a business was all a bit daunting at first, but it’s really taken off and my client base has been so supportive.  

“While I was studying for my degree, I never imagined myself as an entrepreneur, but recognised an opportunity and went for it. I love art, which is why I chose to study it as my degree, so being able to be artistic within my own business is an added bonus.” 

Michela Bloomfield, who has supported Sophie, said: “Sophie has demonstrated real enthusiasm for her home business, from the moment we met. She’s identified a gap in provision in her new neighbourhood and has quickly built a loyal client base, putting her all into launching an innovative home-based business. We wish Peaceful Polish every success.”