Cardiff is home to an incredible community of women who are building brands, leading teams and shaping the city’s business landscape. Across fashion, fitness, consultancy, creativity and wellness, these entrepreneurs are proving that leadership looks different for everyone but always starts with vision and determination.
This feature shines a light on just some of the women driving Cardiff forward through the businesses they’ve built.
The Barber Room Cardiff
At the helm of The Barber Room Cardiff is a Sofia challenging expectations in a traditionally male-dominated industry. With a focus on skill, inclusivity and confidence, the business has built a strong reputation for quality and professionalism, showing how women are redefining what modern barbering looks like in the city.
Tailwind
Tailwind is led by Angharad Neagle helping other businesses grow with purpose. Through strategy, leadership support and practical guidance, they work alongside founders and teams to build sustainable success, proving that strong female leadership extends well beyond the high street and into the heart of Cardiff’s wider business community.
Crystal Clear Carpet Cleaning
Founded by Laura Rose, Crystal Clear Carpet Cleaning is a brilliant example of entrepreneurial drive in action. Laura built an all-female team focused on professionalism, trust and attention to detail, showing that leadership and ambition thrive in every industry, not just the obvious ones.
Alex Bull Studio Tarw
Founded by Alex Bull, Studio Tarw is a boutique fitness studio bringing a fresh, community-driven approach to training in the heart of Cardiff. Built around high-energy classes including strength, ride and heated sessions, Alex created the studio to combine premium coaching with an inclusive atmosphere that welcomes all levels. Since launching in 2024, Studio Tarw has quickly established itself as a standout within the city’s growing fitness scene, reflecting strong female leadership and a clear vision for sustainable growth.
Emma-Kate Francis
Award-winning jeweller Emma-Kate Francis has established herself as a respected designer and silversmith, creating timeless pieces from her Cardiff studio. Her work blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, putting female-led creativity firmly on the map within the city’s artistic landscape.
Body Basix
Led by mother-and-daughter duo Denise Renton and Jessica Renton, Body Basix is Cardiff’s longest-established beauty clinic, bringing decades of combined experience in skin and hair removal treatments. Originally founded by Denise and later relaunched alongside Jessica, the business blends deep industry knowledge with a modern, results-led approach, specialising in personalised skincare and advanced laser treatments. Based in Wyndham Arcade, Body Basix reflects how strong female leadership across generations continues to shape Cardiff’s beauty and wellness scene.
Arth Strength
Arth Strength reflects a modern approach to fitness led by Hannah Stone and Laura Paynewho prioritise empowerment and confidence. The focus here is on building strength for real life, creating an inclusive environment that encourages people to feel capable and supported rather than intimidated.
Flossy & Boo Theatre Company
Anja Conti and Laura Jeffs behind Flossy & Boo Theatre Company are creative leaders in every sense, producing imaginative performances that have toured internationally. Their work brings storytelling, participation and playfulness together, adding energy and innovation to the city’s arts scene.
Cardiff Hearing
Cardiff Hearing shows the impact of female leadership in healthcare, combining specialist expertise with patient-focused care. Sonja Jones and her team helps people reconnect with everyday life through better hearing, proving that strong leadership often sits at the heart of essential services.
Secret Garden Florist
Founded by Donna and run with her sister Kelly, Secret Garden Florist brings creativity and colour to Cardiff Market. Their floral designs have become part of the city’s everyday landscape, showing how passion and consistency can turn a small business into a local staple.
Talk Event
Founded by Marie Palbom Bogedal Brown and Esther Young, Talk Event was created to bring businesses together in a way that feels supportive, collaborative and genuine. Marie is a brand and fashion natural-light photographer, while Esther works with businesses through mentorship, coaching and creative consultancy, combining visual storytelling with strategic guidance. Together they’ve built a community-led platform that helps entrepreneurs connect, grow and gain confidence, creating networking spaces that feel empowering rather than intimidating.
Founded by Hannah May Jones, Minnie May Closet began in her mum’s front room with just a handful of outfits and has grown into a fashion rental business sending clothes across the UK. Built around sustainability and the idea of rotating rather than endlessly buying new, the business champions a more circular approach to fashion, allowing customers to wear standout pieces for a fraction of the price. Hannah’s leadership has transformed a simple idea into a growing brand that is helping reshape how people think about style, affordability and the future of fashion.
Kiti Cymru
Founded in 2015 by owner Gwenno and now with Cat by her side, Kiti Cymru is a fiercely independent boutique based in the heart of Pontcanna. Built from a love of style and international design, Gwenno created a space that brings carefully curated European labels to Cardiff in a way that feels welcoming, modern and accessible. Proudly Welsh-owned and community focused, Kiti has grown into an award-winning destination for women looking to build a timeless, elegant wardrobe backed by personal, knowledgeable service.
The Cosmetic Doc
Founded by Dr Becky, The Cosmetics Doc is a doctor-led aesthetics clinic in Cardiff built on medical expertise and a strong commitment to natural, confidence-boosting results. A GMC-registered doctor and practising NHS GP, Dr Becky combines clinical knowledge with a personalised approach, offering treatments designed to subtly enhance rather than change how clients look. With a focus on safety, honesty and long-term skin health, the clinic reflects a growing shift towards medically led, female-driven leadership within the aesthetics industry.
Talk to Jane PR
Cardiff-based independent PR consultant Jane Cook has built a reputation for championing food, drink, hospitality and sustainability through strategic, straight-talking communications. Working with independent restaurants, chefs, festivals and purpose-led organisations, Jane combines creative storytelling with a strong focus on community impact. She is also the founder of the Cardiff Wine Passport, a project designed to drive footfall and revenue for local hospitality venues, reflecting her commitment to helping Cardiff’s independent scene thrive through smart, values-driven leadership.
Founded by Sian Leaman and Nikki Gundy, Well The Brand is a female-led clothing and activewear brand built around the idea that wellness is a lifestyle, not just a workout. Created from a shared love of fitness and effortless style, the brand focuses on comfortable, wearable pieces designed to be lived in rather than follow fast fashion trends. Blending fashion, wellbeing and community, their approach encourages women to feel confident, supported and strong in clothing that moves with real life.
Nailed by Zoella
Led by multi-award-winning nail artist Zoella, Nailed by Zoella has built a strong reputation within Cardiff’s beauty scene through creativity, precision and professionalism. Named Nail Technician of the Year 2023–2024, Zoella’s work combines artistry with technical skill, transforming nail design into a recognised craft. Her success reflects the growing influence of women leading independent beauty brands and setting new standards within the industry.
Carol Alyce Adams – Cardiff Farmers Market
Carol Alyce Adams is general manager of Cardiff Farmers Markets, helping to lead one of the city’s best-loved community food institutions with markets that run every weekend in Rhiwbina, Roath and Riverside.. With a background spanning food enterprise, education and sustainable food systems, she has championed schemes like the ‘Planet Card’, a collaborative project with Food Cardiff which widened access to local, organic produce through subsidised buying for low income households, whilst supporting Welsh farmers and growers in the process.
Cardiff Mum
Known online as Cardiff Mum, Ashleigh Mogford has built one of Wales’ most recognisable food and family lifestyle brands, turning practical, budget-friendly meal ideas into a thriving business followed by hundreds of thousands across the UK. A former geography teacher turned bestselling cookbook author, Ashleigh shares accessible recipes designed to help families make their money go further while still cooking flavour-packed meals. Through her hugely successful social media platform, books and brand partnerships, she has grown Cardiff Mum into a powerful example of female-led digital entrepreneurship rooted firmly in Cardiff.
shotGlass Marketing
shotGlass Marketing brings bold ideas and strategic thinking to brands looking to stand out. Led by a Director Kylie Glassar and Commercial Director Lynsey Hughes, shotGlass is at the forefront of creative marketing, the agency reflects how female leadership is influencing the way Cardiff businesses tell their stories and reach new audiences.
Draw the Line Design Ltd
Founded and led by Grace, Draw the Line Design Ltd brings more than 20 years of experience in architecture and design, specialising in architectural design rather than architecture itself. Inspired by a childhood surrounded by plans, sketches and construction sites, Grace has built a business centred on collaboration, working closely with clients to understand their vision and translate ideas into thoughtfully designed spaces. Her approach combines technical knowledge with creativity, helping people turn concepts into homes and spaces that truly work for the way they live.
FOR Cardiff
As Executive Director of FOR Cardiff, the city’s Business Improvement District, Carolyn Brownell plays a key role in shaping the future of Cardiff city centre. With more than 15 years’ experience in place management and destination marketing, Carolyn has been part of FOR Cardiff since its inception, helping lead projects and campaigns that support hundreds of city-centre businesses and enhance the capital’s reputation as a vibrant place to work, visit and invest. Her leadership has positioned FOR Cardiff as a major force in driving growth, safety and long-term vision across the city.
Bab Haus Mex
Strictly speaking, Bab Haus Mex isn’t based in Cardiff, but when it comes to championing women-led food businesses in South Wales, it feels impossible not to include them. Founded by Leyli Homayoonfar, the brand has grown from pop-up success to a permanent home at Newport Market, building a reputation for bold Mexican street food inspired by vibrant global food scenes. With a clear creative vision and strong entrepreneurial drive, Leyli has created a business that’s become a regional favourite, proving that standout female-led brands don’t stop at city boundaries.
Studio Severn – Sophie Martinez
Founder and owner of Studio Severn, a fully integrated creative studio specialising in interiors, branding, graphic and 3D design, Sophie Martinez has helped shape some of Cardiff’s most recognisable venues.
Her work includes places like Par 59, Ember, Picton & Co and Tiger Yard. Alongside her design work, she has also opened and run several venues of her own with her husband, including Bodega, Park Side, Ballers Pizza and The Priory.
Astrid Roussel – Astrid’s Petit Cuisine
Astrid Roussel is the owner of Astrid’s Petit Cuisine, a tiny hidden French bakery on Whitchurch Road that’s become a favourite with Cardiff’s pastry lovers.
Astrid first took up baking during lockdown and has since gone on to open her own bakery and baking school. Her pop-ups regularly see queues around the block across Cardiff and Abergavenny, as people rush to get their hands on her beautifully crafted pastries.
She recently competed in the UK’s Best Croissant competition, and if you’ve tried one of her stunning bakes, it’s easy to see why people line up for them.
Taken together, these businesses show the breadth and strength of female leadership across Cardiff. From independent studios and creative brands to wellness spaces and consultancies, these women are not just running successful businesses, they are shaping the character, economy and future of the city itself.
