A FAVOURITE festive gift has inspired a Pembrokeshire teenager to realise her “big Idea” of running a bespoke jewellery business, becoming one of Wales’ latest young entrepreneurs. 

Six years after finding a “make your own jewellery kit” under her Christmas tree, 17-year-old Jacqs Scourfield from Tenby has turned her love of crafts into a one-of-a-kind enterprise. Now a popular brand in and around Pembrokeshire, Jewellery by Jacqs has developed a reputation for its quirky designs, and has steadily grown to include a diverse range of products and unique commissioned pieces. Jacqs is now looking to expand her jewellery business, having recently purchased a £12,000 laser cutter to branch out into new products and designs. Spurred on by advice from the Welsh Government funded Spirit of Enterprise and Small Steps to Enterprise, two Pembrokeshire initiatives that support young entrepreneurs, Jacqs has steadily grown her business. She is a good example of what the Welsh Government’s Big Ideas Wales campaign is achieving by encouraging young people into entrepreneurship. Jacqs said: “I got a small do-ityourself jewellery kit when I was 11 for Christmas and things have taken off from there really. I really enjoyed it so asked for some beads and materials to make more items. My parents are both self-employed and encouraged me in the early days, helping me out with some of the funding which I’ve since paid back. “The more I made, the more interest I got from my friends and others at school, and soon after I took out a stand at a local craft fair. My items sold really well and I really enjoyed the experience, and the business just took off from there. “Since then I’ve just continually made new designs and sold at more craft fairs, markets and a pop-up shop in Haverfordwest.” Having taken the initiative to start up her own business, Jacqs has shown just the sort of entrepreneurial spirit Big Ideas Wales is looking for. Big Ideas Wales is a Welsh Government campaign designed to encourage young people to be more entrepreneurial and help those interested in starting a business take their ideas forward. The campaign is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Menter a Busnes on behalf of the Welsh Government to support delivery of the Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy (YES) for Wales. Having finished her GCSEs, Jacqs is now focusing her efforts on the business, and is busy developing new and exciting range of goods. Having made a significant investment in a laser cutter, which will allow her to create new and personalised products out of plastic, Jacqs has big plans to make 2014 her most successful year yet. “I’m looking to branch out with new items this year,” Jacqs said. “Using the laser cutter, I’m making clocks, gifts and customisable products and jewellery, which is something I get a lot of enquiries about. “I’ve also started to sell on the Internet – that’s my big goal for 2014, to develop the e-commerce side of the business. “I love working for myself – I have a chance to make a career out of something I love doing that is fun and creative, and there’s scope for me to do just about whatever I want.” Manon Llwyd, Big Ideas Wales Manager at Menter a Busnes, said that Jacqs’ creativity and determination would set her in good stead for the future. “It was really brave of Jacqs to set up her own business straight out of school, and we commend her ambition and commitment. Having worked hard to establish herself and taken some expert advice along the way, I’m confident her jewellery business will be a great success for years to come.” More details about Big Ideas Wales and how young people can start their own business can be found at www. bigideaswales.com or get involved at facebook.com/BigIdeasWales, tweet @BigIdeasWales.