Small Business Voices Wales

How well do we really understand the thoughts and emotions influencing the way we work, lead and live?
In this episode, Kim sits down with Chris Williams, Founder of Koala Wellbeing, to explore the human side of business and what it takes to stay well while navigating pressure, uncertainty and adversity.
Chris shares his own journey into wellbeing, including seeking support himself, the stigma around men asking for help, and how his career in learning and development led him to Emotional Intelligence.
Together, they explore self-awareness, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, resilience, identity and belonging, and the journey from performance to survival and ultimately burnout. Chris also introduces the “ME Window” — a practical tool for stepping back from difficult thoughts, understanding what matters and breaking patterns that can keep us stuck.
A practical and honest conversation about understanding ourselves better and finding healthier ways to live, work and lead.
🔗Connect with Chris:
koalawellbeing.co.uk/
Chris Williams on Linkedin
🎥Follow Us on Instagram @smallbusinessvoiceswales

In this debut episode of The Small Business Voice, Franck takes a deep and honest look into the real reasons small local businesses in Wales — and beyond — often struggle to survive.Drawing from his own experiences as a business founder and community advocate, Franck unpacks the structural, cultural, and behavioural challenges that small traders, producers, and entrepreneurs face every day. From empty farmers’ markets to half-empty independent cafés while supermarket chains flourish — why is it so hard for small businesses to thrive, even when we claim to love them?This episode explores:How local attitudes and buying habits can unknowingly hurt small business growthThe dominance of big brands and how they squeeze out independent producersWhat it’s really like to try to start a business in Wales — including why people told Franck to “go to London or Manchester” insteadHow the culture of consumerism, celebrity entrepreneurship (think Dragons’ Den and The Apprentice), and instant success stories distort realityWhat communities and policymakers can do to create a better environment for local businesses to growThe role of local education, media, and public support in shaping a healthier business ecosystemWhy buying local isn’t just “nice to do” — it’s essential for resilience, identity, and economic stabilityPlus, Franck shares why he takes his children to farmers’ markets — not just to shop, but to instil a mindset that values small-scale, local entrepreneurship.This episode isn’t just about business. It’s about culture, values, and how we can all do our part to build a Wales where small business owners can thrive — not just survive.Tune in, reflect, and if it resonates, share this episode with someone who believes in backing local.Listen now, and let’s raise the voice of small businesses together.

In this episode of Small Business Voices Wales, co-hosts Franck and Kim sit down with Lydia Fasham for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about human connection in an increasingly curated world.
What starts as a conversation about relationships and business evolves into a deeper reflection on vulnerability, identity, entrepreneurship, authenticity, self-trust, grief, resilience, AI, and the pressure of perfection in modern life.
Lydia is a Business Development and Client Relationship Specialist and the founder of Henler — a business focused on helping organisations build stronger, more meaningful relationships through the power of genuine human connection.
✨ This episode explores:
Why people want to feel seen and heard
The pressure of perfection and curated identities
Building your inner voice and learning to trust your gut
The impact of the people around us
Entrepreneurship, discouragement, and resilience
AI and the future of human connection
What authenticity actually means in practice
The biggest mistakes businesses make in relationships
A reflective and deeply human conversation about business, identity, and staying real in a world that often rewards performance over connection.
🔗 Connect with Lydia:
Website: Henler
Henler on LinkedIn
Lydia Fasham on LinkedIn
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @smallbusinessvoiceswales

In this episode of Small Business Voices Wales, host Kim sits down with Ben, co-owner of Ddraig Studio, a fast-growing creative agency helping businesses turn ideas into bold, impactful brands across Wales and beyond.
What started as a casual conversation between family on a cruise quickly became something much bigger. Within just three months, Ben and his co-founder Aaron went from idea to launch — building a business, securing clients, and laying the foundations for a creative studio rooted in ambition, resilience, and Welsh identity.
This episode dives into the realities of starting a business from scratch — not the polished version often seen online, but the honest journey of taking action, making decisions quickly, and learning on the go.
🎙️ In this episode, we explore:
• The moment a simple idea became a real business• What it’s like building a company with family — and making it work• The meaning behind Ddraig and the role of resilience in early-stage business• Why most people never move past the “idea stage”• The biggest mistakes small businesses make when it comes to branding• Honest insights into what makes a business stand out — and what holds it back• How to spend your first £500 on marketing effectively• Common areas where small businesses waste money• Whether Wales produces enough ambitious businesses — or plays it too safe• What needs to change to make Wales one of the best places to start a business• The vision for Ddraig Studio and what success looks like in the next five years
💡 Why this episode matters
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone thinking about starting a business, currently in the early stages, or looking to grow their brand. It breaks down the gap between having an idea and taking action, while offering practical, real-world advice that can be applied immediately.
Ben’s story is a reminder that you don’t need years of planning to get started — sometimes, the biggest step is simply deciding to begin.
🐉 About Ddraig Studio
Ddraig Studio is a Wales-based creative agency focused on helping businesses build strong, memorable brands. From branding and design to long-term business support, the studio works closely with clients to turn ideas into scalable businesses.
Website: ddraigstudio.co.uk
🎧 Small Business Voices Wales is a podcast dedicated to spotlighting the real stories behind small businesses across Wales — celebrating the people building, growing, and shaping the future of the Welsh economy.
👉 Subscribe, share, and keep supporting local businesses.

This St David’s Day, The Welsh Dream explores what it means to belong in modern Wales. From the rolling hills and beaches to the music, dance, and language that shape our communities, this episode celebrates our heritage, our diversity, and the connections that bring us together.
Join us as we reflect on the past, share stories from across Swansea, Carmarthenshire, and beyond, and discover how small acts — planting a daffodil, learning a folk dance, speaking Welsh — can create lasting impact. This is a celebration of inclusion, community, and the Wales we are building together.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a newcomer, or learning Welsh for the first time, this episode is a reminder that everyone has a place in our Welsh story.
Keywords/Tags: St David’s Day, Welsh culture, community, inclusion, Welsh language, folk dancing, heritage, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, The CAE, employability, belonging, multicultural Wales

In this episode of Small Business Voices Wales, hosts Franck Banza and Kim Mamhemde are joined by Joelle Drummond, co-founder of Drop Bear Beer Co. — Wales’s first B-Corp brewery and a trailblazer in alcohol-free craft beer.
Joelle’s journey challenges everything we think we know about brewing, entrepreneurship, and who gets to innovate. From ancient traditions of women brewers to modern-day disruption, this is a conversation about resilience, identity, and building a business that stays true to its values.
🎙️ In this episode, we explore:
The overlooked history of women in brewing
Entering — and disrupting — a male-dominated industry
How alcohol-free beer is made and what defines quality
Overcoming doubt, rejection, and imposter syndrome
Balancing purpose, sustainability, and profitability
Queer leadership and visibility in business
Building a company with your life partner
Scaling a Welsh brand while keeping its challenger spirit
💬 “Innovation doesn’t always look like tech — sometimes it looks like courage.”
🍻 About Drop Bear Beer Co.
Drop Bear Beer is a multi-award-winning alcohol-free craft beer brand from Wales, rooted in sustainability, inclusion, and great taste — without compromise.
Follow Drop Bear Beer:Instagram: @dropbearbeerLinkedIn: Drop Bear Beer Co.Facebook: Drop Bear Beer
Where to buy Drop Bear Beer:Available online directly from Drop Bear BeerStocked by UK supermarkets, independent retailers, pubs, bars, and bottle shops
🎧 Subscribe to Small Business Voices Wales on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.📣 Share this episode to support the founders reshaping Welsh business.
#SmallBusinessVoicesWales #DropBearBeer #WelshEntrepreneurs #AlcoholFree #PurposeDrivenBusiness #MadeInWales

In today’s conversation, Kim and Franck break down the myths around innovation and challenge the polished, corporate language that often makes business feel exclusive. From the history of the word “entrepreneur” to the way culture shapes creativity, this episode brings innovation back to its roots — community, identity, and lived experience.
Too many people doing incredible things don’t see themselves as innovators simply because the language doesn’t reflect them. This episode invites listeners to rethink what innovation looks like in Wales, who gets to be part of that story, and why community-led creativity is just as powerful as any tech start-up.
What we explore:• Why “entrepreneurship” feels intimidating or out of reach• The cultural roots of innovation in African, Caribbean, Asian and Welsh communities• The disconnect between business buzzwords and everyday enterprise• How language creates barriers — and how to break them down• The overlooked creativity happening in community kitchens, markets, and neighbourhood projects• Why Wales needs a broader, more inclusive definition of innovation
Mentioned in this episode:• The CAE — Supporting community business, cultural entrepreneurship, and local innovationWebsite: www.caentr.orgSocials: @cae.wales
Small Business Voices Wales celebrates the people, cultures, and creativity that keep the Welsh economy moving. If this episode resonates with you, follow the podcast, share it, and keep supporting local innovation.

Finance can be the difference between an idea that stays in your head and one that changes your life. Yet for many small business owners in Wales, getting access to finance still feels like climbing a mountain with no map.
In this episode, hosts Franck Banza and Kim Mamhemde dive deep into the financial challenges facing small businesses across Wales — from rising costs and limited access to loans, to confidence, trust, and representation in financial systems.
They explore what needs to change to make finance fairer and more inclusive — and reveal The CAE Investment Fund, designed to bridge the gap for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
💬 “Finance isn’t just about numbers — it’s about opportunity, fairness, and inclusion.”
 
In this episode:
Why access to finance still feels out of reach for many small businesses
The reality of cash flow, late payments, and cost pressures
Barriers faced by women, ethnic minority, and rural entrepreneurs
Alternative finance models that put people before paperwork
How The CAE Investment Fund is building a fairer future for entrepreneurs in Wales
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Purple Shoots – Community microfinance supporting Welsh entrepreneurs(purpleshoots.org)
Development Bank of Wales – Finance and investment support for Welsh businesses(developmentbank.wales)
The CAE Investment Fund – Coming soon: community-led finance for diverse entrepreneurswww.caentr.org
 
🎧 Listen now on Podbean, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.Follow us on social media: @cae.wales | #SmallBusinessVoicesWales | #MadeInWales

In this episode of Small Business Voices Wales, hosts Franck Banza and Kim Mamhende sit down with Hannah Worth, founder of Bowla Ltd — the startup behind the bowler-hat-shaped loaf that’s bringing creativity and innovation to Welsh baking.
 
At just 25, Hannah has already built two bakeries, managed a growing team, launched pop-ups, and navigated the challenges of running a retail unit in Swansea Market. In this honest conversation, she opens up about:
 
💡 How the idea for the Bowla loaf was born
🏪 Lessons learned from opening — and later closing
💸 The realities of finance, staffing, and scaling a small food business
🔥 Why resilience, creativity, and community support are key to entrepreneurship in Wales
🌍 What’s next for Bowla
 
Franck and Kim also reflect on what Hannah’s story reveals about the future of small business in Wales — from innovation to sustainability, and the importance of supporting young founders.
 
Connect with Bowla Ltd
Instagram: @bowla_ltd
Facebook: Bowla – A Bowl With A Roll
Website: bowla.co.uk
 
🎧 Listen to more episodes:
🔗 https://smallbusinessvoiceswales.podbean.com
 
📍 Small Business Voices Wales celebrates the people building, creating, and reimagining business across Wales — one conversation at a time.

 
In this episode, hosts Franck Banza and Kim Mamhende ask a big question: are the odds stacked against small businesses in Wales?
From spiralling costs and access to finance, to red tape and the controversial holiday let tax rules, this conversation dives into the everyday pressures business owners face. We explore how government policies can sometimes have unintended consequences—and what a fairer, more supportive system could look like.
This isn’t just about economics. It’s about people, communities, and the role small businesses play in keeping Wales thriving.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.