Case studies

A beauty entrepreneur from North Wales starts not one, but two businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Introduction to business A trained nail artist and beautician, Ffion Mai Jones from Tregarth, North Wales, decided to set up her own beauty salon, Ciwticwls, specialising in nail art, eyebrow and eye-lash procedures. With a lot of time on her hands due to Covid-19 restrictions, Ffion Mai started a second venture – Leibyls, providing a range of stickers and...

A teddy-bear supplier to Killing Eve and Hollyoaks has managed to not only survive Covid-19 but also expand internationally during the pandemic. Introduction to business Started in 2001 in Colwyn Bay, Be My Bear specialises in teddy bear making kits, accessories, unique gifts and plush party products. The wholesale arm of the business, Be My Bear Wholesale, supplies kits, teddy bear clothing and accessories to a range of sectors, including retail, entertainment and corporate. £36,000...

The first Arabic restaurant in Aberystwyth launches successfully and is ready to grow after lockdown restrictions are lifted. Run by Syrian-born Ghofran Hamza, Arabic Flavour is the first Middle Eastern restaurant in Aberystwyth. Having engaged with the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service on a different project straight after moving to the UK, Ghofran benefited from start-up and HR support as she set out to take things further and launch her own restaurant. Introduction to business...

A North Wales franchise of the largest touchless disinfectant business in the UK launches successfully with help from Business Wales. After 36 years at Airbus, Dominic Tyson decided to reap the rewards of finally being his own boss and took the plunge into starting his own business. With start-up support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service, Sanondaf North Wales started trading in February 2021. Successfully started a new business. Created 2 jobs. Adopted HR...

A brand new recording studio opens its doors in Chepstow, with advisory and financial support from Business Wales. An experienced producer, Ella-Louise Hart found herself unemployed because of Covid-19 and decided to combine her passion for producing and teaching music with the opportunity to earn a living. She launched Hart Studios in Chepstow providing popstar experience days, with support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service. Successfully launched. 1 job created. Secured a £1,000 Monmouthshire...

An elephant awareness and conservation art business starts trading in South Wales, with support from Business Wales. Hayley C Lewis from the Vale of Glamorgan took the plunge and decided to turn her love of art and illustration as well as her passion for elephant preservation into a business. With start-up support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service, Hayley was able to secure funding and launch Elestration® in 2020. Started trading and created 1...

An urban farm in Penarth, South Wales, launches to encourage the use of more sustainably grown, nutritious organic food. A sustainable urban farm, the Micro Greengrocer started trading in January, after owner Amanda Wood decided to revive her old skills and start growing organic micro-greens. With support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service, Amanda managed to secure funding, including £1,980 from the Business Wales Barriers Grant, to launch the business successfully in early 2021...

An innovative garden tech business launches successfully in Cardigan, with support from Business Wales. Introduction to business Founded by two avid growers, Chris Tanner and Rik Sellwood, in Cardigan, West Wales, Harvst offers smart, growing systems that help people grow more, all year round. The sensor-based, self-watering, climate-controlled mini-greenhouses keep plants nourished and cool in the summer, and use heaters and grow lights to keep them warm in winter, instilling growers with confidence to grow...

Tailored support and funding from Business Wales help Syrian-born entrepreneur to launch his own home improvement business in Newport. An experienced carpenter, Abdul Rahman Al Dirani faced a number of challenges after arriving to the UK. The Welsh Government’s Business Wales service was able to put together a tailored support package for Abdul in his native Arabic to help him launch his carpentry and decorating business in 2021. Successfully started. Created 1 job. Secured £2,000...

A Cardiff-based content development disruptor secures funding and creates jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic. EatSleep Media is a content development agency in Cardiff, which does things a little bit differently. With a team of experienced videographers, film-makers and communicators, and support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service, the business found ways to grow despite the challenges, by developing more entertaining and unique content. £20,000 secured through the Economic Resilience Fund Phase 2 and 3...