Congratulations, Llongyfarchiadau, to Smallholding Secrets for winning Rural Business of the Year at this year’s Carmarthenshire Business Awards. Hear what the team had to say:
Why did you enter the Carmarthenshire Business Awards 2024?
I have always been reluctant to put us forward for any award. I believe that what we offer is something special, but always felt uncomfortable in putting ourselves forward. However, when the opportunity to enter was forwarded to me by someone on the evening it was closing, I had very little time to consider it, and decided to go for it as I knew of others who had entered themselves for various awards / competitions and nobody had thought less of them for thinking they were good enough to enter.
How did you hear about the awards?
I was sent a link to the award on social media.
How did you find the interview process for the awards?
I was extremely surprised to be called for an interview and was not sure what to expect at all. I was surprised by how many were on the panel for me to present to, but they all welcomed me with a warm smile which helped to put my nerves at ease (who am I kidding!!! But their smiles were appreciated). I gave my presentation and was pleased to be told I had 1 second to spare. The questions then came from the panel. I came out of the interview feeling I had done all I could and that there was nothing I had wanted to say, or should have done all I could and that there was nothing I had wanted to say, or should have said, that I hadn’t. I felt I had given my all and was just thrilled to have been shortlisted as a finalist and been able to tell others about the business I am so passionate about.
What did winning mean for you or your business?
Well, I still can’t believe that Smallholding Secrets won! My little dream, a mad journey that I took my family on, has been recognised. It has given my confidence a boost, enough to actually pursue the next step to expand. It also provides some confidence for those that we work with. Winning the award has led me to make some decisions about the future that I was scared to make. I currently juggle running the business with a demanding full-time job. For the four years Smallholding Secrets has run, I have not been brave enough to leave a dependable salary as I doubted I could make a success of it, despite all the amazing and incredibly complimentary feedback we receive. This award recognises we have developed something special, and I can take it further.
What did you think of the awards ceremony?
The ceremony was a lovely evening. If I’m honest, when I saw the price of the ticket, I considered not going (do you know how much pig feed that could buy?!). I also thought we had no chance of winning, so only bought two tickets. I then felt bad when we won, that the family had not shared in the evening after they all work so hard to ensure Smallholding Secrets offers the high quality service, products and experience that we do.
What’s been a challenge for you or your business during the last year and how did you overcome it?
It has been difficult to juggle Smallholding Secrets with a full time job. I have had to be very organised in order to stay on top of everything. The weather has been a huge challenge this year. To overcome this, we had to change the way we manage and use the land. We also had to consider how our guests could see and meet our animals in their natural state during awful weather conditions, as we have never wanted to force our animals to face our guests.
What’s been a highlight for you or your business over the last year and why?
There have been many…winning this award and a little boy who came with his grandparents for a PacaPicnic saying that Smallholding Secrets was ‘the best place he had ever been to’, and when he left saying it had been ‘the best day ever, better than Christmas!’
What are your goals for 2025?
To continue to offer our outstanding experiences whilst expanding into a second premises so that we can offer much more.
What’s the best thing about running a business in Carmarthenshire?
Carmarthenshire offers so much…mountains, beach, countryside and town, but best of all it has amazing small producers. We try to support different businesses from around Carmarthenshire, so that our afternoon teas and picnics are a true taste of the county, and everything best that Wales has to offer.
