The aim of the Amser i Fentro project was to allow individuals in full time employment with time to develop ideas without a reduction in income. It also seeks to mimic the “20% time” concept used by some large private sector companies such as Google and 3M. It allows staff to spend a fifth of their time developing projects outside their usual work programme and has lead to innovations such as Gmail and the Postit Note. There are some examples of individuals starting up in businesses while in full time employment e.g. Bwyty Lleu, Always Aim High and Wedding Belles. However it requires a great deal of effort and an accomodating employer.

• Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig reimbursed salary costs for 1 day a week for a period of 6 months.
• The individual was  expected to use the day supported by Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig in order to develop the business idea.  The successful applicants also were expected to invest their own time into the project.
• Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig sourced specialist mentoring support for the applicants throughout the 6 months.  This was mostly on a 1 to 1 basis, but there was also some group activity.
• Succsseful applicants were expected to present a completed business plan at the end of the 6 months which is publicly available via our website.

An open call was organized to promote the project and recruit candidates. Originally funding was available to finance 5 individuals but only 3 were suitable and successful.

The three successful candidates were the following:

Eryl Price-Williams– Eryl works as an Administrative Officer for Gwynedd Council and was interested in crafts since she was a child. Eryl’s dream was to either to work in a job that consisted of craft work or start her own business and share her skills with others. The name of the business is ‘Gyda Llaw’ and she provides craft workshops and parties for children and adults.

https://www.facebook.com/gydallaw/

Jacqueline Parry – Jacqui works as a Business Studies teacher at Ysgol Glan Y Môr, Pwllheli. Jacqui has over the years provided high quality desserts in jam pots for family and friends and it was her love for cooking that inspired her to turn it into a business but she didn’t know how. The name of the business is ‘Potia’ and she will be making them from her home with taking orders directly from the public before planning to sell them in local shops in the Pwllheli catchment area.

Lois Jones – Lois (15 years old) is a schoolgirl and although her application did not fit ‘Time to Venture’ because she was a student, the business idea was unique and with the possibility of inspiring other young people to start a business, we gave her an opportunity to join the project. Lois and her family live on a farm near Trawsfynydd and farm Welsh mountain sheep and a flock of ‘Zawrtbles’ sheep, a famous Dutch breed that are easy to care for and friendly. Lois already shows these sheep in shows and has been very successful. After watching a TV programme about sheep trekking, Lois began to think that there was an opportunity to offer the same for visitors in Snowdonia. The name of the business is ‘Sheep Walk Snowdonia’ and they have had a lot of bookings over the last six months and are looking forward to the year ahead.

https://sheepwalksnowdonia.wales/