A near miss during childhood ignited Ben Jenkins’ long standing ambition to become a skilled electrician, which has now seen him launch his own business, Bull-Ectrics.
The 24-year-old from Bridgend remembers a near fire at his childhood home where builders fitted a new shower despite a faulty fuse board, and the thought of what could have happened has always stayed with him.
Ben said: “I became a little paranoid, while growing up, about the safety of electrical systems. The experience has always stayed with me and I am now always conscious that any sort of structure or appliance should be fitted and used safely and correctly.”
Ben always wanted to work for himself and, after school, he dabbled in personal training and launched his own gardening business. With a keen interest in repairing gadgets, from PlayStations to televisions and even friends’ cars, this pushed him to study a 2-year EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems at Neath Port Talbot College.
After completing an electrical apprenticeship, Ben went on to launch Bull-Ectrics with the support of Big Ideas Wales, a Welsh Government- funded service that, as part of Business Wales, aims to support anyone under 25 to develop a business idea, including students and graduates, as part of its commitment to the Young Person’s Guarantee.
He said: “The Big Ideas Wales team helped me apply for a Young Person’s Start Up Grant, which I have invested in equipment and uniform. I’ve secured a few jobs and have completed over 100 Health and Safety courses at Bridgend College.”
Ben was one of nearly 40 young entrepreneurs who attended Big Ideas Wales’ fully funded 2024 Bootcamp to Business residential weekend in March.
Targeted at individuals aged 18-25 with an entrepreneurial spark, Bootcamp to Business combines training, activities, masterclasses and support for young business owners to kick-start their business.
The 2024/25 events take place in Caernarfon, North Wales from 22nd – 24th November 2024 (interest deadline: 1st Nov) and in Abergavenny, South Wales from 21st – 23rd March 2025 (interest deadline: 28th Feb).
Ben said: “Bootcamp to Business is a great event and provided brilliant opportunity to consolidate the foundations of setting up a business. Speakers gave guidance through key areas of business and provided guidance on navigating the business world.
“I have also benefited from several Business Wales webinars including managing your finance and tax, which were very useful. I have since wired a summer house, working on building my portfolio of projects and my social media profiles.”
Amanda Bordessa, Big Ideas Wales Business Advisor, said: “Ben has a real passion for this area of work and a genuine entrepreneurial spirit. He has upskilled and built a loyal client base. We continue to offer support in several aspects of running a business and are sure he will go from strength to strength.”
Rosa and her family have also benefited with the help of a Start Up Loan from The British Business Bank and have recently launched Rosa’s Bakery. The bakery opened last spring with the loan and British Business Bank has continued to support them since in their ambitions to become more sustainable.
