Gwilym's Story

What is your business?

GM Notebooks is all about creating fun, vibrant resources for Welsh learners. From grammar mats to colourful stationery and even water bottles, we aim to make learning Welsh feel less like hard work and more like a joy!

How did you get started?

We launched in 2022, initially selling notebooks on Amazon — which is where the “Notebooks” part of the name comes from. But things really took off when I designed a bookmark featuring Welsh language mutations (a tricky part of Welsh grammar!). I sold 70 in just 48 hours — and that was the moment I knew I was onto something. We’ve been growing ever since!

How did you hear about SWEF and what led you to apply for a grant?

A customer actually sent me an Instagram post about SWEF and said, “This is perfect for you!” So I looked into it — and they were right.

How did the grant help you develop your business?

The grant helped me launch new products and take GM Notebooks to in-person events, including Tafwyl — which turned out to be a record-breaking weekend for us. We reached over 40,000 people and gained invaluable exposure.

How have you seen your finances change since receiving the grant?

Since the grant, we’ve hit (and often exceeded) our monthly target of £400 every single month. It’s been a huge boost to our financial confidence.

How else might you have funded investment in your business?

I would have had to rely on my personal savings, which would’ve meant a slower pace of growth.

Where do you see your business in a year's time?

Hopefully back at Tafwyl — and attending as many Welsh language events and markets as possible! I want to keep growing the business and reaching more learners.