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.

• The moment a simple idea became a real business

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.

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

🍺 Episode: 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.”

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:

Where to buy Drop Bear Beer:

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#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:

Mentioned in this episode:

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:

Resources mentioned in this episode:

🎧 Listen now on Podbean, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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

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🔗 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.

In this episode, co-hosts Franck and Kim Mamhende engage with Mari Arthur, founder of Tetrim Teas, a not-for-profit tea company based in Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire. Mari discusses how Tetrim Teas blends traditional Welsh ingredients with innovative approaches to create unique tea blends that include both caffeinated and non-caffeinated options.

The conversation explores Tetrim Teas' commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and local sourcing. Mari shares insights into the company's collaborations with local growers, efforts to reduce food miles, and initiatives aimed at revitalizing rural economies in Wales. The episode also delves into the challenges of running a small business, the importance of community support, and the role of Welsh identity in shaping the brand.

Listeners can learn more about Tetrim Teas and connect with them through their official website, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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

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.

Listen now, and let’s raise the voice of small businesses together.