Business News Wales had the opportunity to speak to Tanya Lynch, Entrepreneur and Founder of The Work:Shop, which recently opened in Dinas Powys.

What is The Work:Shop?

It's a concept founded by myself, facilitated by local Dinas Powys chartered surveyor Alex Easten from Burnett Davies with Easton. During the week the venue is a WORK space available to hire by the half or full day and on the weekends the space transforms into a pop-up store. This is hopefully the first of many WORK:SHOP venues, as already I have been approached by business owners in Cowbridge and Roath to launch The Work:Shop number 2 & 3.

Where did you get the idea from?

After speaking with local resident and estate agent Alex at our favourite coffee hangout The Plug.  Alex asked me if I had any ideas on which local businesses would like to rent the showroom space that is attached to his estate agency. Within minutes I took on the space with the idea to offer a multi purpose platform for local creatives and business owners.  As an expect business connector and self-confessed ideas queen, I invited other like-minded brands to collaborate, so they could share the space and rent together. It was very much set up as a solution to a problem.

What makes it different to other co-working spaces and pop up stores?

The multi purpose use of the space is the number one point of difference – I was fully committed to making sure that the space was reflected in the brands aesthetic. A blank canvas is all you need to make a creative space workable and allow beautiful products to stand out. The basic materials like plywood were used to create peg boards that allow a multi purpose wall space for any creatives to display their products. It was essential that this venture didn’t incur too many costs and the shop fit kept to minimum, all thanks to local tradesmen and businesses supporting this new venture.

Brand curation has also been a key feature so that The Work:Shop has a real purpose. I have selected local brands that have something unique and special about them. A lot of them have great followings online but no real physical point of sale, so this is a great opportunity for their fans to come and see them in real life.

During the week The Work:Shop space will offer the best business working facilities including road side parking, free wifi, kitchen and toilet facilities, a large co-working desk with a variety of comfortable seating.

How important is the location?

Dinas Powys is an idylic place to live and there is a real sense of community in the village.  There are some fabulous local businesses making their mark such as The Plug Coffee House and The Humble Onion Restaurant which are owned by super innovative entrepreneurs with a real inspirational attitude to business.

If more local businesses and new ventures are encouraged to set up in the village it can only mean good things for the neighbourhood.  The high street won’t die if our local communities help promote and support local talented creatives and of course triumph the shop local campaigns!

When you shop at independent or local-to-you businesses, more money is kept within your community because local businesses often use or buy from local service providers, farms, and companies. Buying locally helps grow other businesses as well as generate a bustling community.

Which brands are available?

I have been in discussion with a variety of creatives based in Cardiff and the Vale:

The Good Wash Co – The ethos behind this amazing brand is to change the world one wash at a time. They produce luxury wash products made in Wales from the finest natural ingredients.

We will be complimenting the products already sold in the village with a selection of Good Wash shampoos, conditioners, body lotions soaps, candles and woof wash (an amazing dog wash!).  What’s more, Mandy the founder makes it her mission to launch ‘exclusive’ products and collaborate with talented and wonderful Welsh brands such as Melin Tregwynt and The Gower Gin Company… what’s not to love?!

Peastyle – Anwen, founder of Peastyle, is an absolutely delightful interiors guru and is talented beyond belief. She has a magpie eye for all things that make your house look beautiful and she stocks a range of contemporary home accessories with personality from all over the world to add those all important finishing touches to your home. Anwen offers an interior styling and sourcing service, she is based in the heart of the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales.

Lisa Valentine Home – In life you meet some lovely people but sometimes you meet such wonderful human beings and Lisa is one of those super wonderful creative souls!  Come rain or shine she will bring sparkle and creative flair to your day and in particularly your home. Lisa has a delightful range of homeware products from dustpans and brushes which will help you clean but are pretty enough not to hide away. Pans and dishes to prepare and serve delicious meals, vases to display fresh flowers and beautiful candles to scent your home. Basically, everything you need for a simple yet beautiful home. To say we are excited to collaborate with this beautiful brand would be an understatement!

Blossom and Nectar – The founder, Tams Ford, is on a mission to promote bee keeping, the benefits of looking after our bees and the beautiful products made with bees in mind. Tams is a creative, stylish and thoroughly fun individual to be around. The Work:Shop is the perfect space for her to promote her story and her beautiful products. Her bee friendly flower bouquets and wreaths are super delightful, with one on order for the front door already!

Sadler Jones – It is a total honour to be collaborating with the founder Cath Jones. This successful creative has many friends in the village of Dinas Powys and was keen to get involved when I told her about the project and vision I had for The Work:Shop. It makes it all that much more fun when creative friends get together and do something awesome for the community! There will be a selection of her cards and notebooks on sale at our launch weekend. If you love papery goods and are looking for a funky card or three, I promise you’ll be in stationary heaven when you see these products!

 

The Work:Shop launched last weekend (27th April) and is now open for business.