Enterprise
Gwynedd and Môn
Lead Organisation:
Menter Môn
Area:
All areas of Gwynedd
Investment Priority:
Supporting Local Business
What is the background?
The Enterprise Hub supports local entrepreneurs and small businesses in a practical and personal way to develop their ideas to create a successful business.
What was the support?
The support package from the Enterprise Hub includes 1 to 1 business advice, financial support, a programme of activities to share business knowledge and experience, access to resources and co-working spaces, and networking events for businesses.
What difference has this made?
During the project in 2023-25, the Enterprise Hub supported 144 businesses in Gwynedd, which subsequently led on to 50 new enterprises and 64 jobs created.
Here are the stories of some of the businesses that have benefited from the support of the
Enterprise Hub:
Business Case Study:
Cymro Vintage
What is the background?
Cymro Vintage is a business specialising in premium vintage clothing. The company was selling online and after running a successful pop-up shop, saw an opportunity to grow the business.
What was the support?
The company received practical support from the Enterprise Hub – an 8-week programme of business advice and training. Sessions on accounting, marketing and business planning were part of this training. Financial support was also provided, which went towards the costs of setting up a shop to sell vintage clothes on one of Caernarfon’s busiest streets.
What difference has this made?
The support package has meant that there is money to cover some of the initial costs of running the shop, and the training and advice has given the owner valuable business skills. This in turn will make the business more sustainable and give the best possible chance of success in the future.
People’s reaction has been very positive since the shop opened. The program gave me a kick to think that I would be able to do more with the business. The finance and marketing courses has relieved some of the worries I had about that side of the business. It still hasn’t sunk in that I have my own shop – it really is a dream come true!
Dylan Jones, Cymro Vintage
Business Case Study:
Arfon Timber Frames
What’s the background?
Arfon Timber Frames is a company specialising in high performance timber frame buildings using mainly local timber. Founded in late 2023, the company has grown rapidly and now employs seven people, with the majority of them women. Six are related to the manufacturing and construction side, and another person manages the program in the office.
What was the support?
The company used their support package grant from the Enterprise Hub to gain professional memberships in key trade bodies for their industry, and to achieve significant accreditation for their work, which validates the company’s commitment to high-quality sustainable building practices.
What difference has this made?
Joining professional bodies, especially the Structural Timber Association, reassures customers that they are receiving high-quality work. The company has been able to meet the industry’s highest standards for structural timber frames of ISO 9001, and the STA Assure Gold.
The business has grown significantly, and we’ve had a lot of enquiries this year because of the advertising we’re doing about this type of work. The company would not have been able to aim for these types of accreditations in their first year of trading without the support of the Enterprise Hub, Business Wales and Cyngor Gwynedd.
Mark Chapman
Chief Carpenter and Managing Director
Business Case Study:
Carwyn Ap
Plumbing and Heating
Craftsman from Nefyn benefits from Enterprise Hub support
What’s the background?
Carwyn Ap Plumbing and Heating, based in Nefyn, provides a range of plumbing services, specialising in bathrooms and heating with gas boilers. Carwyn wanted to expand his business in the future to install different heating systems, and specifically to install air source heat pumps.
What was the support?
Carwyn received advice to help the business develop by creating a business plan, and also received a grant towards equipment. He was supported to plan how best to use the money, and decided on practical elements such as insurance to start the business and gas analyser equipment. The Enterprise Hub also helped with promotional elements – creating a logo for the van and clothing for his company.
What difference has this made?
With the business going from strength to strength, its next goal is to move towards specialising in more sustainable ways of heating, such as air-source heat pumps.
Mi ges i gymorth i greu cynllun busnes wnaeth i fy helpu i benderfynu pa wahanol agweddau i fuddsoddi ynddyn nhw.
Mae’r busnes wedi tyfu’n dda iawn. Dwi’n cael mwy a mwy o waith o ran bathrwms yn benodol, a lot o waith gosod bwyleri nwy hefyd.
Carwyn ap Myrddin
Business Case Study:
Tylwyth
What is the background?
Jessica John is a cultural heritage consultant from Dolgellau, offering a wide range of services – from planning exhibitions to supporting community groups with heritage planning.
The type of consulting work she does is usually completed within organisations. But Jessica knows it‘s not easy to find someone who can do a little bit of everything within an organisation or community, and that‘s where her expertise is valuable.
What was the support?
Jess was supported to write a business plan, and received a grant that was key to setting up her business.
Thanks to the grant I received in the first place, I‘ve been able to set up a website and attend courses. Although I‘ve managed projects before I haven‘t done an official course on project management, and things like this have been of great help when starting a business.
It‘s nice to run your own business!
Jessica John Tylwyth