Business group 'bent over backwards' to help Beth

Beth Howes founded her Pilates business, Beth Howes Pilates in Haverfordwest, after years of ballet had left her with a bad back, knees and hips.

Pilates is a form of exercise which concentrates on strengthening the body with an emphasis on core strength. The health benefits include improving flexibility as well as increasing muscle strength and tone.

When Beth left school, there wasn’t anything in university that she wanted to study and that’s when she discovered Pilates at a local class. She enjoyed the lesson so much she realises it was what she wanted to do for a career.

In May 2016 she started training to become a Pilates instructor in Scotland, travelling up frequently as part of the course.

Beth developed her business with the help of Big Ideas Wales, the youth entrepreneurship service in Wales, funded by the Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund.

Beth said: “At first I was very nervous about starting and running my own business and didn’t know how to even start. That’s where Big Ideas Wales played a big part. David Bannister, a Big Ideas Wales business advisor, was always there to assist with any questions I had through email or was able to meet in person. It was great to know I had that support.”

Last March, Beth joined 50 other young businesspeople at a Bootcamp to Business residential event in the Urdd Centre in Bala, a fully funded three-day workshop hosted by Big Ideas Wales.

Beth said: “Since the studio opened my clientele has grown massively already, and I have seen so much more interest in people wanting to take classes. It’s all down to the grant that I was able to open my studio. My goal for the future is to increase my clientele further and to make more people aware of the health benefits of Pilates.”

The next Bootcamp to Business is taking place on March 15-17. Applications are now open head to

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