CARDIFFWORKS News and views from the region’s professionals

It’s the city’s business

CARDIFFWORKS

Imagine that moment – ‘and the Winner is…’

LEFT TO RIGHT, Carla and Cleo, Ellie and Mabel, Bethany and Olive

Three times the fun

What do you do if you’re a trio of sisters who’ve all had babies around the same time? Start a kid-themed business of course. Moro Mou, was set up by sisters Ellie, Bethany and Carla Johnson at the latter end of 2020, selling children’s toys, books and essentials.

“We all had babies very close to one another and were inspired to start Moro Mou because we found that so many baby toys are not very environmentally friendly,” says Ellie, who lives in Roath. “We also wanted to start our own business for fl exible work so that we could spend as much time with our babies as possible, although we have realised that we are working more than ever at the moment!

“We all live in diff erent areas – Cardiff , Bournemouth and Cyprus – so it isn’t easy to run a business from separate locations, but thankfully we can video chat. What sets our business apart is that we are trying to be as environmentally conscious as possible; we only use sustainable packaging; we source sustainable products from ethical companies (mostly wooden toys); and we are also planting a tree with every purchase.” For more: www.moromou.co.uk

Moro Mou’s toy collection is environmentally friendly as well as very pretty

STUDIO 87 ©

IMAGINE WINNING

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Cardiff Life Awards and, following an exciting virtual event in 2020, organisers are anticipating many individuals from the Cardiff business community putting themselves forward for the chance to win.

Traditionally, the prestigious Awards have sold out many weeks in advance, with 450 attendees and dozens on the waiting list. Businesses bring their best case forward for an Award if they wish to attend – with the chance to sweep up a glamourous trophy.

The deserving winners receive coverage in Cardiff Life, a hand-crafted trophy, window stickers to proudly display, plus the long-lasting memory of an award-winning moment.

Already on board through sponsorship is platinum sponsor Marsh Commercial, along with category sponsors Genero, HawkinsThomas Wealth Management, Park Plaza, Regus, WSET; and, of course, Cardiff Life itself.

Category sponsorship opportunities remain, please contact annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk for more details. For more: www.cardiffl ifeawards.co.uk

IN THE BIZ A big thank you to Harding Evans’ head of employment law Dan Wilde who was the guest speaker on our fi rst ever Cardiff Life Business Surgery in December 2020. We’re keen to help Cardiff businesses by showcasing their professional expertise via our upcoming Business Surgeries, if you’d like to know more, get in touch. For more: www.linkedin.com/company/mediaclash

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC

MY SPACE Hamlyn Williams has taken a new offi ce space at 101 St Mary Street, Cardiff . Savills, and joint agent Knight Frank, on behalf of Aegon Asset Management, completed the letting of 101 St Mary Street in Cardiff to Hamlyn Williams, a specialist recruitment fi rm, which has agreed a fi veyear lease. www.hamlynwilliams.com

PILLAR OF SUPPORT Innovative support has become available to scale up businesses amid Covid-19 recovery. A number of new business support models are available to small businesses, providing a one-stop shop of support and facilitating their growth, according to a new study by ACCA (Association of Chartered Certifi ed Accountants). ACCA’s new report Space to Grow examines how new and emerging business support models are being used to allow more SMEs to achieve rapid growth. www.accaglobal.com

Hijinx in action

MALWINA MATUSIEWICZ ©

GOLD STAR A local entrepreneur has received an award from Jacqueline Gold CBE, the CEO of Ann Summers. Alice Ojeda, the founder of Cardiff -based Authentic House, was recognised with a prestigious #WOW badge for her at-home business, based in Splott, which makes and shares plastic-free home refi lls, products for a sustainable lifestyle and eco-friendly subscription boxes.

Alice was one of three winners selected by Jacqueline after she entered ‘Women on Wednesday’ (WOW) – a competition launched by Jacqueline in 2011 to celebrate the growing number of female entrepreneurs and businesswomen in the UK.

“Authentic House is a wonderful business striving to help people protect the planet from their own homes ith plasticfree refi lls and self-care products,” says Jaqueline. “Sustainability and self-care are a vital focus right now, and the two make for a perfect mix. Alice’s eff orts towards helping make a change in the world are something to be admired.” For more: www.authentichouse.co.uk

Alice Ojeda’s local business has been recognised by Jacqueline Gold (RIGHT), CEO of Ann SummersGold

ALL INCLUSIVE

Legal and General Investment Management, in partnership with Cardiff -based Hijinx – one of Europe’s leading inclusive theatre companies – have been awarded the 2020 Arts, Business and Employees award from Arts & Business Cymru. Hijinx runs an innovative programme for learning disabled and neurodivergent actors who play out scenarios that depict a range of communication challenges, encouraging managers to develop greater understanding and empathy for their employees. For more: www.hijinx.org.uk

B USINESS CLUB

Virtual one hour sessions, all free to attend

Search Cardiff Life on LinkedIn for upcoming dates and registration

If you would like to get involved, please email events@mediaclash.co.uk

Golden years

A couple at a Cardiff care home have been reunited in a ‘Covid proof’ pod for their golden wedding anniversary

Awoman living at a Cardiff care home was able to celebrate her 50th anniversary with her husband in a ‘Covid-proof’ family visitors’ area. Anne Milne has been living at Tŷ Llandaff, an ‘all-inclusive’, residential, nursing, palliative and respite care home in Conway Road, Pontcanna, and it had not been possible for her to receive visitors due to the coronavirus outbreak.

However, care home staff created a ‘Family Visitor Pod’ inside the home back in the summer which has been designed to defy the pandemic and allow its residents to have face-to-face contact with their families. The ground floor Library Room has been converted to dual accessible area with a large vinyl screen and partition.

Tŷ Llandaff has remained free of Covid-19 for the duration the crisis of the pandemic and there are strict infection control guidelines being followed, including use of PPE by staff. All visitors are required to wear face coverings and have to have their temperatures taken on arrival.

Anne was able to see her husband, John, and speak with other family members via video calling on his laptop in emotional scenes at the home. It was the first time the couple had seen each other in months. Staff at Tŷ Llandaff also bought them a special anniversary cake and put banners up around the room.

Tŷ Llandaff service manager Lisa Cristina said, “We were delighted that Anne and John were able to celebrate their 50th anniversary in some way at the home. All the staff at Tŷ Llandaff have worked extremely hard to keep our residents safe. That is why we are so pleased to enable visits to take place when they’re allowed which follow Government guidelines in our Family Visitor Pod.

“We’ve been keeping things as normal as possible at Tŷ Llandaff and keeping our residents busy but we know the importance of family connection. Anne was overjoyed to see John again and spend some time talking to other family members on video calling. It was a truly wonderful occasion.” n

John Milne

Anne Milne

For more information about Tŷ Llandaff call Lisa on 02920 600 100, email info@ tyllandaffcare.com or visit www.tyllandaffcare.com

BIZ Q&A Catherine Demaid

We sat down with Cowbridge-based business consultant and coach Cath, to chat about start-ups, job leaps and going skiing every year just for the après

Tell us a little about Cath Demaid Consulting… I love being able to roll my sleeves up in a business and get right in there, either to the root of a problem holding them back or to develop strategies to catapult growth, or facilitate transformational change. Being able to work onsite with clients locally, feel the culture and get to know the people is really important to me. That said, due to Covid I’m rolling my sleeves up on Zoom calls right now!

When did you set up the business? I fi rst started consulting in 2005 after having my second daughter. It was a huge leap after 13 years in the corporate environment of Lloyds Bank, but I’ve never looked back. Then and now, I still very much rely on word of mouth and recommendations from clients. I always encourage business start-ups to develop a network of clients and customers who are happy to recommend you. It’s the best and most eff ective PR exercise.

Talk us through a recent example that best illustrates the work you do… Flexibility and adaptability is absolutely key in the role of a consultant. Adapting to change and uncertainty, particularly in these challenging times is key. I’d never podcasted before lockdown, however in these times we need to pivot and fl ex to move with new ways of working, changing employee needs, dare I say it Brexit, and obviously the pandemic. So, when one of my clients – Andrea Callanan from Inspire Me – asked me to podcast about all things leadership and management with her, I was delighted.

How might you describe your key clientele? I support business leaders and owners on a 1-2-1 coaching basis, helping them to develop, sustain and drive their businesses forward. In the corporate, training provider and HR sector I am regularly approached to design and deliver leadership and change programmes and set up accredited and approved learning solutions.

What’s your mantra? Just do it, and be positive. There is always a solution.

How has your sector coped throughout the pandemic? During the pandemic, I’ve supported businesses with home working, employee issues, business growth and sustainability, redundancy projects and contingency planning. Contingency planning is key in the current environment. When I started developing them for clients at the start of lockdown in March 2020 – with January 2021 in mind for any sort of normality to return – some of them laughed at me; I’m writing new ones for them now to start 2021 as positively as possible.

What advice would you give to businesses and start-ups in the current climate? Keep moving, changing and growing. Fear is high at the moment due to

Cath speaking at the ‘Creating Superstars at Work’ Podcast with Inspire Me

“KEEP MOVING, CHANGING AND GROWING”

uncertainty. The best way to step out of fear is to take action. Start planning now to remain stable in your sector and plan for challenges you may face. Be aware and stay conscious of what your competitors are doing. Also, identify who you can collaborate with so you can keep winning.

What have you found to be the best tools for business growth? Self-development. In order to meet the ever-changing needs of businesses and the economic climate, you have to keep learning and staying in touch with current trends and shifts in sectors you are consulting in.

Is there someone in business that you admire? The last director I worked for at Lloyds had a huge infl uence on me. He encouraged me to be true to my values, behave ethically and morally and remain steadfast to this when faced with immoral and unethical behaviour.

Help us get to know you… I’m a huge clay pigeon shooting fan; and I go skiing every year with my daughters – I never actually ski though, everyone always seems quite shocked at that. I just love the Aprés…

For more, fi nd Catherine on LinkedIn or email her at cathdm@outlook.com