Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Six months ago Chris Thomas, 25, had the idea of setting up a 24 hour domiciliary care agency in Llandeilo. Today, Cadog Home Care have received their CSSIW accreditation and are now serving Llangadog, Llandeilo, Llandovery and the surrounding areas. They have already created three jobs and hope to create 10 by the end of their first year of business. Chris graduated with honours with a Health & Social Care degree at Swansea Metropolitan University and, whilst employed as a support worker and team leader, spotted a gap in the market for a home care service in his area. He and his sister Clare Hatfield then decided to set up Cadog Home Care to fill that gap. To help realise their business dream, Chris went to Mentro’s Tomas Marks and Glyn Jones for advice. Mentro is run by Menter Bro Dinefwr and is part of the RDP Sir Gâr Rural Entrepreneurship project*, providing free business support to young people aged between 16 and 30. Cadog Home Care were given ideas for advertising, fin...

Following the sweeping success of the Speed Networking event held in the Quins Club in Carmarthen recently, a second round was held in the Angel, Llandeilo, on the 9th of May for a new group of young entrepreneurs in Carmarthenshire. Tomas Marks and Linda Morris from the Mentro project hosted the event. Mentro is run by Menter Bro Dinefwr and is part of the RDP Sir Gâr Rural Entrepreneurship project*, providing free business support to young people aged between 16 and 30. The event was arranged as a networking opportunity and for the future businesspeople to get advice from established businesses. The young entrepreneurs were given 4 minutes with each of the various experienced business mentors present, from companies including; Telesgop, Tinopolis, Y Stiwdio Gerdd/James Music, Angel, Heavenly, Emma Phillips Bridal, Online Sales Messages, Ynni Da, Ac Ati Translators, Ashmole & Co Accounant, Agri Advisor Solicitor, Akamuti Skincare and Eileen Thomas Child Minder from Dryslwyn...

Tomas Marks and Glyn Jones from the Mentro project hosted a ‘ Speed Networking’ event for young entrepreneurs at Carmarthen Quins Club on Monday February 20. Mentro is run by Menter Bro Dinefwr and is part of the RDP Sir Gâr Rural Entrepreneurship project*, providing free business support to young people aged between 16 and 30. The event was arranged as a networking opportunity and for the future businesspeople to get advice from established businesses. The young entrepreneurs were given three minutes with each of the various experienced business mentors present, from companies including; Castell Howell, Cegin Fach y Wlad, Ungoed Thomas & King, Vintage Tea Party, Dyfed Menswear, Cae'r Ffair Nursery, Telesgop, Spindogs, LH Phillips and Co accountancy and Antur Group Insurance.  “It was really useful having the opportunity to bounce ideas off everyone and get feedback,” said Michael Dougall, one of the young entrepreneurs who attended. Michael is in the process of setting ...

A new RDP Sir Gâr scheme, Mentro, has been launched that will help those aged between 16-30 years old living in rural Carmarthenshire to start their own business. Mentro Officers Tomas Marks and Glyn Jones will be seeking the next Alan Sugar in Rural Carmarthenshire and identifying specific mentors for each entrepreneur. Mentro will be giving free advice and guidance on starting your own business and raising awareness of start-up loans and financial support available. They can also help with the creation of business plans and budgets. Menter Bro Dinefwr is delivering the project through RDP Sir Gâr’s Rural Entrepreneurship scheme and the project is funded through the Rural Development Plan (RDP) for Wales 2007–2013 by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. “In light of the current economic climate and lack of jobs available this is a good opportunity to identify new initiatives and develop business ideas” says Owain Gruffydd, Chief Executive of M...