Three young local entrepreneurs have been given a business boost thanks to the Swansea Seed Fund.
Lucy Parker, Rhiannon Picton-James and Geraint Vaughan have each been given £500 to help expand their brands.
Lucy has developed a thriving photography business and has already received a number of commissions for family portraits and weddings. Her ambition is to be able to work full time in the wedding industry and make memorable images that her clients can cherish forever.
“I have a passion for photography and love seeing the look on my clients’ faces when they see their pictures,” says Lucy. “I would love to work full time on my business and the money from the Swansea Seed Fund will help me on my journey to build a successful business.”
Rhiannon has established an online retro / vintage clothing retail site called Lost and Famous. Inspired by Los Angeles style and culture, Rhiannon is a keen fashionista with a passion for 90s fashion and started her business two years ago by upcycling vintage pieces and selling online at a profit.
Rhiannon, who has been mentored by Gower College Swansea’s Enterprise Manager Sue Poole, says: “Without the support and help of the Swansea Seed Fund I would not have been able to turn my hobby into a thriving business.”
The third recipient of a £500 cheque is Geraint Vaughan whose video production company has already secured bookings by the National Trust, Welsh Government and EFOD, a charity based in rural Uganda.
"I’ve always had that ambition of owning my own company and being my own boss,” he says. “With the help I’ve received from Sue, the Entrepreneurship Academy of Wales and the Swansea Seed Fund, this has become a reality.”
The Swansea Seed Fund was set up by the Centre for Entrepreneurial Education to nurture young people aged 16-25 as they develop their ideas from the early stages right through to – potentially - successful business start-ups.
“These three entrepreneurs have already shown enormous ambition and drive and we are delighted to be able to support them as they build their companies from scratch,” says Sue Poole.
ENDS
Photo: Chris Costello