A former British Champion kickboxer from Cwmbran has credited the support he received from Business Wales for giving him the confidence to leave his day job and pursue a career as a start-up entrepreneur.
Hywel Smith, a qualified personal trainer, competitive bodybuilder, and kickboxer, had considered becoming a self-employed coach for some time. However, it wasn’t until the sad passing of a close friend and fellow athlete that he decided to reach out to Business Wales for support in starting his entrepreneurial journey as a fitness coach.
Graham Harvey, a Business Wales Adviser specialising in business and commercial relationship banking, supported Hywel in planning and launching Hywel Physique in September 2024. Drawing on his extensive experience advising SMEs, Graham helped refine Hywel’s business plans, guided financial forecasting, and recommended targeted training workshops for new business owners. His support enabled Hywel to successfully launch and rapidly grow both in-person and virtual training services.
Since launching, Hywel has built a base of 100 clients, with the majority based in his hometown of Cwmbran. Virtually, he has secured clients in both London and Manchester, with the goals of building on this as his company grows.
Speaking on this, Hywel said: “I’ve always been a massive advocate of physical fitness and the benefits it offers, so making the decision to leave a career in logistics to pursue my self-employed dream just made sense. Still, it was daunting. When I reached out to Business Wales, I was looking for encouragement, and Graham gave me just that.”
Graham’s ongoing support will continue to drive that growth by helping the fitness entrepreneur pursue funding opportunities, with the goal of bringing another personal trainer into the Hywel Physique team.
Hywel continued: “I’ve always been really passionate about fitness, from both a physical and mental perspective, so pursuing my own personal training company was a logical fit for me in terms of starting my own business. Being put with someone of Graham’s background couldn’t have been a better fit, as he knew immediately where I required support. He fully understood my aims with the business and what I wanted to offer and he was able to assist me in making those elements a reality, which massively boosted my confidence.”
That confidence boost has allowed Hywel to pursue new methods including virtual training, meaning he is able to support his clients to reach their fitness goals 24/7, while also maximising his potential client base further afield.
Continuing, he said: “Being virtual is beneficial for so many reasons. It allows my clients to communicate with me regularly and lets me share training tips at my convenience and for them. It also allows me to access a wider range of individuals looking to take that first step into their physical fitness journey and this is something I’d really like to continue to build on as I develop the company.”
According to Hywel’s Adviser, Graham, the coach’s journey from an unfulfilling career to a start up entrepreneur highlights how Business Wales support can empower driven individuals to build profitable businesses with real potential for growth.
Business Wales Adviser, Graham Harvey, said: “Hywel came to me with a fully formed idea, he just required assistance in how to get it off the ground. He’s very passionate about helping people achieve their goals and I believe he has the right attitude to take his business nationwide, especially due to his virtual training element. Hywel’s success proves that many entrepreneurs can and are turning their ideas and drive into viable, scalable businesses. Sometimes all that is needed is strategic advice and access to resources, both of which are readily available here in Wales through our team.”
