Entrepreneurs and small businesses have united to bring collaborative energy and an economic boost to communities in west Wales.
This is shown in the market town of Tregaron, where residents have launched their own companies and taken existing ventures to the next level with the support of Antur Cymru Enterprise.
With backing from Ceredigion’s Local Business Support and Smart Busnes projects - provided by Ceredigion County Council via the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund - traders have benefited from targeted advice, including Halen a Pupur cafe, Y Talbot Inn, Lewis and Hughes Printers, Gwen’s Cake Shop, and Welsh Homestead Smokery.
They have received guidance and expertise, interactive training sessions on multiple topics such as marketing, social media, branding, and commercialisation and given the 'confidence boost' needed to go it alone.
Among them is Halen a Pupur, the venue was opened in the spring by Claire Davies and Morfudd Pugh opened the venue in the spring thanks to support from Antur Cymru and an Arfor grant.
Ms Pugh said: "When we first started, we were entering the unknown and needed that guidance and somebody to hold our hands and to tell us to do something a little different, to make it unique and make it our own."
Ms Davies added: "Antur Cymru came into our lives just weeks before we were due to open, we saw they were holding a drop-in clinic, and it was so well timed.
"We have accessed their help for all these new things we had never done before as our backgrounds were in other areas, such as applying for grants and dealing with suppliers – it made us feel assured."
Tracy Watkin acquired Y Talbot 14 years ago; after accessing Smart Busnes and Local Business Support she wanted to move the venue on in a "profitable way" without losing its place at the heart of the community.
She said: "We have seen an increase in sales, more engagement with our customers and while we were not initially looking for social media and online support we ended up on that road.
"I’m really glad we did as it’s improved the business and helped us to grow our database, create newsletters and reach a new audience."
Gwenllian Bulman-Rees founded Gwen’s Cake Shop (Siop Cacennau Gwen) when she was 14 and says her passion for baking is matched by the love her loyal customers have for her products.
When in need of a website to spread the word further, Antur Cymru helped apply for grant funding and offer advice, as well as garnering further capital to make renovations, relocate and invest in equipment.
"Without them and the grant I would not have been able to open new premises, launch the new website and push my business to where I want it to be," she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Claire Jesse from Welsh Homestead Smokery, who, after five years in the industry, wanted to build on the firm’s reputation for quality and increase its product line.
She said: "Antur Cymru helped us successfully apply for a grant to help increase the production space and the products we make, and hopefully that will eventually lead to us taking on more staff."
Antur Cymru project manager Julie Morgan congratulated the business owners on their success.
"What has been so inspirational about Tregaron is seeing how the businesses got onboard and created an infectious energy which is highly contagious and is now not only benefitting the individual organisations but the town as a whole," she said.
She hopes more small businesses and budding entrepreneurs get in touch for more information.
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