Three Welsh businesses who transformed personal challenges, unexpected opportunities and life-changing experiences into successful businesses are backing UK Small Business Week and highlighting the positive impact small firms can have on local communities.
The businesses, based in Cardiff, Carmarthenshire and Llandeilo, are supporting UK Small Business Week, the national campaign launched by Entrepreneurs Circle to celebrate the contribution small businesses make to communities across the UK. More information can be found at entrepreneurscircle.org/sbw.
Among them is Jayne Rees, founder of Eve’s Toy Shop in Llandeilo.
Jayne opened the independent toy shop after spending 13 years working with children escaping domestic violence before serious illness following the birth of her youngest child forced her to rethink her future.
Using £5,000 from a cashed-in endowment mortgage, she launched the business and has since built a much-loved local institution known for its children’s events, community activities and birthday club, which now has more than 1,000 children registered.
“I wanted to create somewhere that felt magical for children and welcoming for families,” said Jayne.
“We know children by name, celebrate birthdays with them and try to make every visit feel special.”
Also supporting the campaign is Cardiff entrepreneur Rosie Oretti, founder of Grounds For Good.
After retiring from a 30-year NHS career as a medic, Rosie unexpectedly found herself launching a business dedicated to tackling one of the UK’s most overlooked waste streams: used coffee grounds.
Grounds For Good now diverts tonnes of coffee waste from landfill, generates green energy in Wales and donates a proportion of its profits to homelessness charity Llamau.
“What started with a simple question about where waste coffee grounds ended up became a business focused on environmental and social impact,” said Rosie.
“We wanted to show that waste can become a resource rather than a problem.”
Joining them is Carmarthenshire business owner Sarah Skilton, founder of Sarah Lou Crafts.
Sarah launched the business after leaving work to care for her teenage son following a cancer diagnosis.
What began as a creative outlet and source of income during an incredibly difficult period evolved into an award-winning sustainable craft business.
More recently, Sarah continued running the business while undergoing cancer treatment herself.
“Crafting helped me through some of the darkest periods of my life,” said Sarah.
“It became something positive to focus on and eventually grew into a business that allows me to support my family while doing something I love.”
Together, the three founders represent the diversity, resilience and community spirit of Wales’s small business community.
Nigel Botterill, founder of Entrepreneurs Circle, said:
“Behind every small business is a story.
“Jayne, Rosie and Sarah have each faced significant challenges and turned them into businesses that make a positive difference to their communities. They represent exactly the kind of entrepreneurial spirit UK Small Business Week is designed to celebrate.”
UK Small Business Week runs from 1 to 7 June and will see businesses across the country taking part in local events, social media activity and community campaigns celebrating independent firms and entrepreneurship.
