An ambassador for young women in business launches luxury hamper business in South Wales.
With support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service, Abigail Chamberlain decided to fulfil her lifelong dream of running her own business and set up the Welsh Luxury Hamper Company in October 2019 in Chepstow, offering luxury hampers with Welsh products.
Introduction to business
Set up by Abigail Chamberlain in Chepstow, South Wales, the Welsh Luxury Hamper Co. provides luxury hampers with products sourced from all around Wales, inspired by the country’s beautiful landscape and heritage. Each hamper is filled with keepsake items and produce presented in a handcrafted box, nestled in a bed of pine or oak wood wool.
Why did you decide to set up your own business?
I launched the Welsh Luxury Hamper Company in October 2019 after I spent several years working on it. In 2017, I went to university to study Music, but I started to struggle massively which led to me dropping off the course and being diagnosed with Dyslexia.
After suffering with my mental health after university, I decided to join a business course at Coleg Gwent. They advised me to put my idea forward to a panel of professionals to potentially win some funding to help get my idea off the ground. I was lucky enough to win this micro-grant, which allowed me to go off and do the relevant market research.
I have wanted to run my own business from a very young age; it’s always been my dream to do something I love. I am a firm believer that if you do something you love, you will never have to work a day in your life. Personally, I like a challenge and I feel that by being my own boss, I can set goals. A business is a great way to challenge these goals whilst also providing opportunities to achieve them every day.
What challenges did you face?
When I launched the business, I expected the sales to flow quite steadily. This certainly wasn’t the case. I was lucky enough to be able to turn to my ever-supporting family to help me out.
Cashflow has been an issue as I’ve been approached by large companies wanting contracts and large bulk orders, but I haven’t had the funding in place to be able to support this and fulfil these orders. Business Wales has helped me by guiding me through what can be a very daunting process.
With the announcement of lockdown, I really started to worry about the future of my business. I only launched in October last year and feared this would knock my confidence. I didn’t qualify for any government grants as I hadn’t been trading for over a year and I didn’t directly pay business rates. I noticed this opportunity to apply for The Princes Trust relief grant and I instantly applied. I am so thankful to be able to receive this grant help, it has helped me regain my confidence and be able to continue to trade and bring out exciting new products.
The grant fund has allowed me to start planning a really exciting and innovative new range. I will be offering Welsh Luxury letterbox hampers that will be more affordable and available to a wider audience. It will be a contactless service, as it will be received directly through the letterbox. This is something I’ve wanted to offer for a while and this grant fund has made it possible.
The business has really grown during lockdown. I have taken on two new contracts with corporate clients and had a surge in online sales. I am so thankful to my lovely customers.
Business Wales support
Having already attracted interest from global brands including John Lewis and Fine and Country Estate Agents, Abi received support from Business Wales’ Big Ideas Wales programme to set up the business. She is now working with Relationship Manager Kris Hicks, who is helping her with her costs, pricing strategy and establishing partnerships with potential clients and suppliers.
Outcomes:
- successfully launched through Big Ideas Wales
- relationship Management support with costings, pricing strategy and marketing
Kris from Business Wales has been fantastic. His expertise in the world of business has helped me considerably. He has given me ideas to expand my product range and introduced me to a wide range of potential clients. It is so reassuring to have someone supporting me through this journey. If I have any questions, Kris is able to answer them or point me in the relevant direction.
Future plans and ambitions
I plan to grow my business and be able to offer a wider range of products to my growing list of customers. I have future plans to branch out and offer English, Scottish and Irish hampers. I am working on several contracts with large customers and I would love to be in a position to fulfil these. I will use my business as a platform to encourage other young women into business and tackle the gender imbalance within this industry.
If you want to read more success stories of how Business Wales has helped other people like you to start or grow their businesses, visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/case-studies or follow @_businesswales / @_busnescymru on Twitter.