Eve and Peter Davies, Directors of Cambrian Routes Ltd.
We set up Cambrian Routes Ltd in 2003 as a business specialising in providing bespoke family and group holiday tours in Wales, England and Scotland. Due to the wonders of the web and word-of-mouth referrals a large percentage of our clients come from the USA and we like to think that the majority arrive as guests and leave as friends, which for us is hugely important.
The original idea was to do the site research for people who had traced their family history and wanted to visit the places their ancestors had lived and worshipped; this would then be turned into a personal tour for them. We had originally planned to run the business with a partner who had been so supportive but all parties soon realised this would not be practical. Over time we kept developing our plans with no particular start point in mind, but the crunch point came when we saw a people carrier for sale at a price we couldn’t refuse. Suddenly we were in business! So, at the time, it was a bit like Topsy, it just 'growed'.
I was a nurse for 25 years but in 1993 I 'burnt out' physically and mentally, which was quite a shock and took some getting over. When I did recover, I undertook a reflexology course which led me on a continuing journey of spiritual discovery. I always had trouble with 'orthodox religion' but felt there was a source or creator, call it what you will. I suppose you could say I’m now an old age ‘new ager’ without the long hair and beads! I continue to learn and make discoveries about myself and all around me. It’s not always easy but can be a great support. It totally underpins the way I live my life now. I still get my 'wobbly' moments but have it to lean on plus a wonderful 'rock' in my husband, coincidentally called Peter.
Peter had been a Shipping and Transport Manager for many years. In 1996 he was made redundant so we moved from our house in Newport to a magical village where we had an idyllic riverside cottage which had been our holiday home. At that time Peter, who is younger than me, wasn’t ready to hang up his boots; I felt I could do with some structured stimulation and, as we like a little jam on our bread the project seemed very attractive! It was also an idea that Peter had had for a long time but not put into action. So it all seemed to dovetail very well.
The great plus points of our life now are the fact that we meet a huge range of fascinating and likeable people and do a lot of exciting things that we never would have done otherwise, both through the business itself and in terms of the opportunities that come our way because of it. The great highlights for us so far have been winning the PRIME Cymru Merlin Award for Contribution to Tourism in 2004, when we were also presented to the Prince Charles who is the President. We have been featured on BBC Wales Tonight; been a case study in the Wales Tourist Board (now Visit Wales) and SWWTP Annual reports and had an article in a high profile woman’s magazine. This was very interesting as the finished article was very inaccurate - still I believe they say no any publicity is negative.However, I have lots of sympathy for those who get lots of the bad stuff!
Another highlight which was great fun was the making of a promotional video. I am sure the 'angels' sent a team to us as we had almost given up the idea when along came this super producer and editor – it was done on a shoestring and has gone all over the world. We also exhibited at 'Showcase Wales' in Cardiff – The Tourist Board's first Welsh Trade Show - in 2004 and 2005 when we had great fun and met many overseas visitors.
Another real highlight was the first time we took a US family around all their ancestors’ homes and places of worship. We were very proud to get every church opened for them, even a wonderful rendering of 'Mae Hen Wlad Fy’nhaddau' by one super vicar! They saw all the homes on their records and even went in one and they met lots of locals. Some of the cottages were in ruins and across a couple of fields. All in four days! This was shown on BBC and they actually discovered an ancestor’s grave whilst they were filming! We are very lucky to have a part of it on our website. It gave so much pleasure and was such fun to do – although a great deal of research and hard work went into it. Now that’s real job satisfaction!!
Our great strength is working as a team. We have a totally different approach to work and argue a bit, but 'sorry' is never far away! Even then, the secret is to be able to listen to each other and to try to see each other's point of view. For example I’m a worrier and want things done 'now'. Peter is more laid back, he has a great calming effect on me and we achieve very positive end results for our efforts. We complement each other well. It has caused some stress working together simply because our approach is so different, but then that’s true of any team. You don’t have to be identical to work together well. Working from home can be difficult too, as you never get away from the job and it is also very easy to go for that 'extra cuppa'. However, running the business from an office would not be commercially viable at this time.
In terms of advising anyone else who is contemplating setting up a business, we’d say that the most important thing is to network like mad, have a generosity of spirit - freely share what information you have (although now and again you have to keep some things close to your chest!) and don’t be afraid to ask for advice – you don’t have to take it! It is true what they say, ‘what goes round comes round’ and although its difficult to quantify, you do get back what you’re prepared to put in.
The advantages of starting up a venture like ours when you’re in your prime is that we no longer feel we have to compete and prove ourselves, we look at life differently at this age and get on with things. Certainly, in terms of our lifestyle, we appreciate what we’ve got; we don’t need lots of 'stuff'. We realise the importance of fun in our lives and make sure we have it! Lots of money certainly isn’t everything, and as someone said to us 'what a trade off' living where we do and having the friends we have. I get a bit tired more quickly although Peter’s got lots of energy; we’re not intending to swap it for the slippers and cocoa in the foreseeable future.
Right now we’re planning our next two ventures. One will be taking over a shop in a wonderful little sailing village on the coast near here. It sells water sports goods and equipment and we want to extend it to include clothing for walkers, kites and quality gifts. We will be working alongside a great team of fun people who run a water sports training centre and café (most important!) next door. The other is the purchase of a holiday chalet to let. It’ll require some juggling, fitting it in around the existing Cambrian Routes business, but then, what’s life about if it isn’t the relish of a challenge?
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[story posted March 2007]