Hi, I’m Kerry.
My Story
I stepped into the world of business in 2013, and before that I’d worked in hospitality for 8 years. Without a doubt, the hospitality industry taught me a lot of the skills I needed to run my own business, as well as juggling my jobs with studies – GCSEs, A Levels, BSc and finally an MSc.
In 2013, Gwe Cambrian Web began, a joint business venture with my partner Emlyn. We spotted a gap in the market in terms of bilingual (Welsh) website design and developers. The business grew very steadily year on year, and by 2015 I was able to leave my ‘full time’ job, and plough all of my efforts into Gwe Cambrian Web.
Without a doubt, 2020 was a huge year for our business, and for me too. With the pandemic, we looked at ways to adapt the business, take advantage of the huge leaps to digital that many businesses were taking and ways to support small businesses during what was, and still is, a very difficult time. With a lot of hard work and energy, huge amounts of learning and networking the business grew and by December 2022, we’ve now employed 4 members of staff which is super exciting for us.
One of the best things about running a business for me is the constant learning. From a young age I always loved learning, and working in tech and digital means you never know everything. I attend digital and social media conferences across the UK as well as making sure I’m always on top of latest changes and new platforms. During 2020 I passed the Facebook Blueprint Digital Marketing Associate exam, and in 2021 the Facebook Blueprint Community Management exam. It’s important for me to keep growing, keep learning and keep developing.
I’m delighted to be a part of the Lifelong Learning department at Aberystwyth University, and teach a number of modules on a termly basis in both Welsh and English: Social Media Marketing, Search Engine Optimisation, Branding for Business, Instragram for Business, Creating Podcasts and Twitter for Business.
Community-wise I like to keep busy and it’s so important for us as a small businesses too. I’m a Town Councillor here in Aberystwyth, Governor for Ysgol Plascrug and Ysgol Penglais, and director for Menter Aberystwyth. I have very recently been elected as Llywydd (President) for the Ardal Aberystwyth Rotary, and Chair of the Aberystwyth Business Club.
My Values and Beliefs
Honesty and transparency are key
This is literally the core of everything in my opinon – whether it’s business, politics, event organising. If you can’t be honest or transparent, then how will you create a strong, respected brand?
Go for it
In 2018, I won an award which really changed my outlook. We’d won awards before, and I’d won an award back in 2016. It was the process for this particular award though that has been absolutely so valuable to me. The award I won was the Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Regional, Wales, North West & Northern Ireland) at the Forward Ladies National Summit and Awards. After the regional round, there was a live judging day. I assumed it’d be an Apprentice style grilling, but I was very wrong! I came away feeling not only entirely inspired, but with a lot of knowledge and ideas, as well as this new motto for me: go for it.
I can honestly say, from this experience, I haven’t looked back.
Social media is for everyone
Across the web there are a lot of websites about “demystifying” social media, and it’s true. Social media isn’t some kind of magic power, it’s available for everyone, and open for everyone to use too. I’m not the type of business woman to keep secrets to myself, because in the long run, where does it get you?
Facebook Blueprint: Digital Marketing Associate
Facebook Blueprint: Community Manager
My Approach
As with anything I do, it’s all about being honest and transparent. I’m not going to sell you a service you don’t need – and yes, I might be losing out on business, but I’d rather you come back to me when you want something you do need!
My approach is very much let’s meet, let’s talk and we’ll go from there. I’m not a lecturer, and I very much prefer a “two way street” relationship. It is afterall, your business.
