35 UNDER 35
The top young businesswomen in Wales today
20-page Business in Wales pullout
MEET the top young business and professional women in Wales in 2018.
The young women on this list come from a variety of backgrounds, work in an array of industries and represent almost every corner of the country.
Paul Rowland, editor-in-chief, Media Wales, said: “The WalesOnline 35 Under 35 is a great platform to showcase the rising stars in the Welsh economy, across the private, public, education and third sectors.
“Since its launch in 2014 many of those who have made the lists, for both men and women, have gone on to achieve even greater success.”
WalesOnline and Western Mail business editor Sion Barry added: “For any economy to thrive it needs a constant stream of young talent coming through, to drive innovation and ambitious across a wide range of sectors.
“And I have no doubt that this year’s WalesOnline 35 Under 35 will again highlight that the future is very bright for Wales plc.”
Carolyn Brownell, marketing and communications manager at sponsors FOR Cardiff, said: “FOR Cardiff is committed to supporting economic development and encouraging students to stay in Cardiff after graduating.
“By supporting initiatives such as 35 Under 35 and profiling the incredible talent and innovation that is within Wales, we can help showcase what Cardiff has to offer and really put the city on the map as the place to live, work and create as an ambitious young professional.”
We have cheated somewhat and there are a few more than 35 as we doubled on a few occasions where a company had co-founders.
If you are unhappy that you are not on the list or can think of someone who should be included we will be opening the nominations for the class of 2019 early in the new year.
1. ELENA & SOFIA COSTA, COSTA SISTERS PRODUCTIONS, 27 & 31
The videography from the two sisters behind Costa Sister Productions is heavily influenced by Americana. They shoot non-traditional, quirky, humanist weddings with a fun and informal vibe.
They travel the world filming and the award-winning pair have more than 15,000 followers on Instagram. They have developed into mentors, hosting workshops teaching entrepreneurs how to brand and market their business. They don’t just shoot weddings, they shoot for alternative motorcycle events, clothing brands, and music videos.
2. JENNY EVANS, FOUNDER JENNY KATE, 23
The 23-year-old businesswoman, a student at Cardiff Met, set up her own homeware company Jenny Kate with designs inspired by the natural world. Jenny won the national Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Award in the post-revenue category, with the CEO of Santander later purchasing her entire portfolio.
Jenny is planning to employ two people imminently to help with the day-to-day running of her business. Jenny Kate will be an online store, with her aspiration to be stocked in major homeware retailers.
3. AMY SHELDRAKE, CARAPACE SLATE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, 33
Amy, alongside her partner Martyn Lucas, is looking to change the roofing industry. Their product Carapace slate, is a snap-fit, composite slate roof tile, allowing for a Welsh slate roof to be installed up to 90% quicker than a traditional slate roof. Amy has spent hours working to perfect the tile and growing the company to a position where they will be satisfying their first orders in February 2019. Carapace Slate has been awarded large Innovate UK grants and has received private investment from the Development Bank of Wales and another private investor.
4. EMMA-JAYNE MORRIS, MAYZMUSIK PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY PRINCIPAL, 32
MayzMusik was founded in 2000 by Emma’s mother May Williams, and Emma took over in 2009. Since then she expanded the academy to three studios, six teachers and more than 200 students (with a constant waiting list for classes). Emma is also the chairwoman of a local theatre company, and is an active member in many of the other societies and is one of the many people at the forefront of saving the Abergavenny Borough Theatre from slipping under the radar.
5. MELISSA SELMIN, FOUNDER MELISSA SELMIN DESIGNER/ ARTIST, 32
Melissa received more nominations than anyone else in this year’s 35 Under 35. Over the past year Melissa has been building her artistic business.
She has exhibited in KKIN+ILK cafe bar and more recently participated in an installation at the Stadium Plaza building in collaboration with Naissanace Capital Real Estate, Stride Treglown and Channel 4 showcasing what she stands for. Melissa has thousands of followers on Instagram and has built up an international client base in a short space of time.
6. LAURA JONES, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR ADMINPRO, 26
Laura has gone from packing frozen sausages at Peters Pies to working her way up the administration ladder in law firms. Laura then joined a finance firm and quickly worked up from head of administration to office manager. This year she founded her own outsourced admin company.
AdminPro offers a service for companies that don’t require, or don’t have the resources to employ full time or even part time admin staff. Her five year plan is to recruit and have AdminPro employees assisting freelancers and small companies right up to large companies.
7. HEIDI-LOUISE GRIFFITHS, FOUNDER MAYKHER, 34
With more than 12 years working within the fashion industry and following her experiences in third world countries, Heidi set up Maykher in 2016. The business helps support and educate young girls, and also provide sustainable employment opportunities for women across the globe. Heidi completed a £5,000 crowdfunder for the business in 2016 and since then has featured in outlets such as Cosmopolitan, won awards, such as the FSB Ethical Business of the Year 2018 at the Wales Federation of Small Business (FSB) Awards, and mostly recently, featuring in House of Fraser in Cardiff. One of Heidi’s most notable achievements since the business was established was fully funding the education of Guatemalan girl, Irma, in her education in 2018.
8. SARAH WILLIAMS, SYSTEMS ARCHITECT SORBET, 33
Sarah is part of the founding team at Sorbet and using her experience gained working at both GoCompare and Dezrez almost single handily designed its software systems from the ground up. Sarah has been involved in the recruitment and on-going training of the other developers in the company. She has also been keen to give back and to give opportunities to students in the local area. She has encouraged other team members to do follow her lead and as a result the Sorbet team gives regular talks at the The National Software Academy in Newport.
9. CATHERINE BUTLER, MANAGING DIRECTOR HUGH PHILLIPS GOWER BUTCHER, 33
Catherine is the fifth generation owner of Hugh Phillips Gower Butchers, which was established in 1878. She is the only woman in Wales to own an abattoir and hold a full slaughtering licence. Catherine provides customers with Welsh produce, from local farms, processed in the abattoir and sold at the shop in Swansea Market.
10. LOUISE RENGOZZI, CRUNCH SIMPLY DIGITAL MARKETTING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, 35
In the past year Louise has helped secure contracts with leading universities for the Swansea-based digital firm. She is described as an integral in strengthening Crunch’s relationships with other organisations in Swansea, in particular Swansea University, UWTSD, Techhub and TedX Swansea of which Crunch is a Friend Sponsor.
11. TINO DZARO, MANAGING DIRECTOR TINO’S CAFE AND BAR, 28
Tino, originally from Zimbabwe, moved to the UK with her family aged 17. A few years later she came to study aerospace engineering at Swansea University and completely fell in love with the city. After graduating, she wanted to stay so much that she made the decision to ditch a career in aerospace and to open her own business. Tino’s opened in 2013 and she had to undergo a huge learning curve. She has introduced monthly comedy nights, was the first cafe/bar to introduce bit coin payment and more recently she has launched an outside catering service.
12. MEGAN DRYSDALE, OWNER DRYSDALE PROPERTIES, 25
In October 2016, Megan established Drysdale Properties without any financial backing or landlords/ tenants. Within the first seven months Megan built up a portfolio of 30+ managed properties, it is now excess of 60. Megan’s goal is to grow her managed property portfolio and establish her own estate agency.
13. CARA BENDON, CARA BENDON BRAND CONSULTANT, 31
Cara left Lampeter to work in advertising in London, managing the accounts for Hotel du Vin, Malmaison hotels and Supernanny aged just 23. But two years she lost her father suddenly, and the impact it had led to her deciding to set up her own business. She passed the Prince’s Trust’s Enterprise programme and set up her own branding consultancy in 2013. Since then she has expanded the business to a full branding agency, working with six other freelancers. She runs her business from Peckham, South London and is an active speaker in the city, and a frequent commenter on brand matters for the press, including BBC Radio Cymru.
14. CARLY THOMPSETT, FOUNDER ANAPHASE STORE, 29
Carly, who has battled dyslexia and dysbraxia all her life,moved to Cardiff in 2013 for a new life and started her business through the Prince’s Trust. She is very open about her first year not making any sales, but from her second years she’s flown up, she met Prince Charles, been invited to Buckingham Palace, been shortlisted for a number of awards.
15. EMMA GILROY, DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY JCP SOLICITORS, 35
Emma joined JCP Solicitors as a trainee solicitor, aged 24, became a salaried partner at 31 and a business owner this year, aged 35. Emma heads up a team that turns over more than £1 million per year. She also has responsibility for business development, relationship management with local estate agents, and other existing major providers of work. Emma is focused on the development of technology to streamline processes and enhance the client experience.
16. CARRIE ANNE ROBERTS, FOUNDER MERE SOUER, 27
Carrie Anne Roberts started her business Mère Soeur from her flat after the birth of her son, River. The brand was built on Instagram and Carrie sells products such as clothing, pins, and mugs. Earlier this year Carrie accused a big US fashion giant of copying her design. Although she wasn’t successful it showed the power of her 40k+ followers on social media in supporting her campaign.
17. JESSICA SHIPMAN, NATWEST CYMRU REGIONAL DIRECTOR, CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL, 34
Jessica worked her way up in banking, becoming a director in 2016, at the age of 32, the youngest female in this role in the region and one of the youngest in the UK.
Since 2016 the NatWest Cymru Commercial and Corporate team has grown, had a record number of business transactions and customer service scores are at the highest level seen. As a mum of one with number two on the way, Jessica has spoken at numerous events inspiring women with her story of success and leadership at directorial level.
18. RHIANNON WILLIAMS, FOUNDER BABANOD BAMBW, 21
21-year old Rhiannon established Babanod Bambw, a company with sustainability at its core, that swaps non-biodegradable materials used to make disposable nappies with bamboo grown on Ugandan farms.
Rhiannon’s business idea came to her during a module about ethically sustainable businesses during her zoology course, which she is studying at Bangor University. Her inspiration came from a desire to address the worldwide waste pollution crisis, of which disposable nappies play a huge role in, as well as influence from her mother who had attempted to use reusable nappies when Rhiannon was a baby.
19. CARIANN EMANUELLI, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF WIZE VIRTUAL ADMIN, 29
When her mother left a corporate career to set up a company in busi-
ness process consulting Cariann thought she could enhance the business by introducing a virtual administration service which she would go on to manage.
The virtual administration facet of the business has been so successful that it has overtaken the consulting, changing the name of the business to Wize Virtual Admin. Last December, Cariann took over from her mother as director of the company.
Last year, Wize Virtual Admin won the Zokit Business Evolution Award and the Caerphilly Business Awards. Cariann was also recognised as a finalist at the Entrepreneur Wales Awards, South Wales Business Awards and as one of the Business Insider Rising Stars.
20. JESSICA BLACKLER, FOUNDER JECCA MAKEUP, 22
Jessica founded Jecca Makeup in early 2017 after honing her craft at the Delamar Academy in London, where she studied make-up, hair and prosthetics for TV, film and fashion.
Jecca Makeup is a genderless, vegan makeup brand that supports the LGBTQ+ community by working with charities and promoting beauty rather than gender. The business has clients all over the world and has gained international recognition for the quality of its makeup and for its support in tackling transgender stigma. Jessica also provides makeup lessons for the trans community, many of whom are not full-time transgender, and so lack confidence when applying makeup.
The company now sells its growing offering of products all over the world and was recently approached by retail giant Walmart.
21. TONI LEIGH HALL, MANAGING DIRECTOR BANTER CARDS & BANTER GIFTS, 30
Toni had tried a few different ideas before founding Bantercards. The greetings card business, which is not for the faint-hearted, has been a huge success.
Toni has since appeared on the BBC show Young Welsh and Pretty Minted and frequently gives talk on entrepneurship. She has launched a sister company Banter Gifts. The company is moving from Cardiff to a larger premises in her home town of Barry this year.
22. MICHELLE PEARCE, CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER WEALTHIFY, 29
Towards the end of last year Wealthify, the ‘robo’ investment service firm co-founded by Michelle, saw insurance giant Aviva acquires majority stake.
The fintech firm was launched in Cardiff in April 2016 by award-winning tech entrepreneur, Dr Richard Theo and chartered wealth manager Michelle, with the aim of attracting millennials and those who are new to investing. For a minimum investment of £1 customers can invest in one of five diversified investment plans through ISAs and general investment accounts
23. HANNAH AND SOPHIE PYCROFT, FOUNDERS SPECTRUM COLLECTIONS, 30 & 29
The sisters from Barry now have a firm that is worth £12m, which has deals with the Hollywood studios Paramount and Disney. This year Spectrum Brushes released their collaboration with Disney for a Little Mermaid Collection, last year their Paramount deal saw a Mean Girlsinspired collection that sold out.
Spectrum Collections are a vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand and sell their multi-coloured brushes and brush sets all over the world. The brand has a cult following (more than 264,000 followers on Instagram ), with fans uploading photos of their colourful buys online so rapidly they have no need for a big marketing budget.
24. SARAH JOHN, CO-FOUNDER AND OWNER BOSS BREWING, 32
Sarah is co-owner and the face of Swansea’s rapidly-expanded Boss Brewing company and she stands out as one of the few women competing for consumers and stockists.
The company, which she started in 2015 with her business– and life – partner Roy Allkin now employ 25 people in three premises; the brewery opposite the Liberty Stadium, its next-door bar in the old Landore cinema and their city centre bar, Copper.
25. SARA IFAN, SENIOR ARCHITECT AT POWELL DOBSON AND SOUTH WALES CHAIR FOR WOMEN IN PROPERTY
Sara is senior architect at Powell Dobson and the South Wales Chair for Women in Property. Sara is passionate about the opportunities for women in construction. As a Senior Architect for Powell Dobson her recent focus has been on regeneration projects, private residential and affordable housing schemes.
Sara, who was named Young Achiever of the Year in the 2016 Constructing Excellence Wales Awards, also volunteers as a Construction Ambassador, and contributes widely to events that promote the industry to young people.