Congratulations to White Gecko Craft Lounge for winning Creative Business of the Year at this year’s Vale of Glamorgan Business Awards. Hear what the team had to say:
Why did you enter The Vale of Glamorgan Business Awards?
We entered as one of the directors felt that we should have some recognition for the hard work we have been putting in to our business – especially since 2020 and the massive hit retail has had.
How did you find the interview process for the awards?
Initially we were quite anxious about the interviews but the panel really made us feel relaxed and chatted to us rather than ‘interview’ us. It was a great experience.
What did winning mean for you or your business?
The feedback from our customers has been amazing and we can feel proud that our business has been recognised by other business leaders as a strong proposition.
What did you think of the awards ceremony?
The Awards evening was a lovely night. It was nice to see/meet the other nominees in our category and network.
What’s been a challenge for you or your business during the last year and how did you overcome it?
Like all retail businesses we have found footfall diminishing and we have had to keep pursuing opportunities such as TV, creating more classes and increasing our weekend retreats.
What’s been a highlight for you or your business over the last year and why?
One of the biggest highlights for us in 2024 was our visit to Festival of Quilts. From a business perspective it generates around one fifth of our annual income but it also allows us to connect with a number of existing and new customers who may never visit our retail premises but watch us online or purchase from our online shop.
What are your goals for 2025?
The goal is to increase profit by around 10% in 2025 by reducing costs and developing new revenue streams.
What’s the best thing about running a business in The Vale of Glamorgan?
The people! We are surrounded by such a supportive community – we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!
