A Welsh hair care company, that started at a kitchen table, has been recognised in the 2021 Wales Start-Up Awards.

Olew, which specialises in products for curly hair, was launched by Ceredigion businesswoman Elinor Davies-Farn in 2018, when she felt frustrated with the lack of products available for her hair.

“I started making products in 2012 because I didn’t have any for my own hair, but I never sold it,” Elinor, 30, said.

“It used purely for my hair because I used to straighten it all the time. So it started without thinking about making money.

“It’s a bit of a dream really, I always wanted to work for myself but I never knew what I wanted to do.

“But it’s good to be able to promote the Welsh language across the globe and to encourage women to be their authentic self.”

Olew was announced as the winner of Global Start-Up of the Year in the Wales Start-Up Awards.

“It was really quite emotional, because obviously my brand is a Welsh name so I feel strongly for the Welsh language and culture – especially when I moved away.

“I’ve been in Bournemouth, Oxford, London and now Dubai. So it’s nice to be recognised in your own country for doing something for the language and culture.”

Sadly, Elinor couldn’t attend the awards ceremony due to isolation requirements.

“There was an awards ceremony, which I flew back for because I’m fully vaccinated. But the UK didn’t recognise my Pfizer vaccine so I had to quarantine and couldn’t go.

“It was really frustrating really because I flew all the way especially for it.”

While Elinor is originally from Capel Bangor, she started Olew from her kitchen table in London.

In February 2021, she moved to Dubai to set up a sales hub – supplying the Gulf, Australia, and East Africa.

Elinor is also hoping to set up a fulfilment centre in the United States. In the two-year plan, Elinor is also hoping to develop other products, including non-hair products, as well as a setting up a business hub in Aberystwyth.

“In my two-year plan is to have something in Aberystwyth to support the local economy,” she said. “I think there are a few options on what I can do, I’m just trying to weigh it up. But just to support the employment in the area and to give back to where I’ve come from really.

“I’m currently just exploring my best options, whether that is a shop or a fulfilment centre – hopefully that’ll come to fruition.”