Small Business Voices Wales

Why do so many local businesses struggle to survive?

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 growth * The dominance of big brands and how they squeeze out independent producers * What it’s really like to try to start a business in Wales — including why people told Franck to “go to London or Manchester” instead * How the culture of consumerism, celebrity entrepreneurship (think Dragons’ Den and The Apprentice), and instant success stories distort reality * What communities and policymakers can do to create a better environment for local businesses to grow * The role of local education, media, and public support in shaping a healthier business ecosystem * Why buying local isn’t just “nice to do” — it’s essential for resilience, identity, and economic stability Plus, 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.

Authenticity in a Curated World with Lydia Fasham

In this episode of Small Business Voices Wales [https://smallbusinessvoiceswales.podbean.com/], 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 [https://henler.com/] — 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 [https://henler.com/] * Henler on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/henler/] * Lydia Fasham on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/henler/people/?viewAsMember=true] 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @smallbusinessvoiceswales [https://www.instagram.com/smallbusinessvoiceswales/]

Young, Welsh and Building Bold Brands: Inside Ddraig Studio

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.

Our Welsh Story

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

Brewing Change — Power, Purpose & Alcohol-Free Innovation with Joelle Drummond

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: @dropbearbeer LinkedIn: Drop Bear Beer Co. Facebook: Drop Bear Beer Where to buy Drop Bear Beer: Available online directly from Drop Bear Beer Stocked 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