Two Glamorgan University students from Pengam have had a flash of inspiration and started a business selling Welsh language learning cards.
Flashcards can help children and adults master the Welsh language and is the idea behind VisuaLearn – established by Laura Parry, 28 and Chris Williams, 58. The pair are currently studying for a Foundation Degree in Business and Enterprise.
Laura explained: “As a parent of three young children who are learning to read I quickly realised that there were no quality Welsh language flashcards on the market. The only ones I could find were mass produced in China by companies with no knowledge of the language. We have developed a wide range of cards under different themes including colours, shapes, money, alphabet etc.”
VisuaLearn’s flash cards can also be used by adults wanting to learn the language. Caerphilly County Borough Council has already commissioned sets of bespoke cards to help their staff who are learning the Welsh language.
Chris, who also runs his own construction company said: “The great thing about the service we offer is that the cards, which we print ourselves can be bespoke for the organisation ordering them. We can incorporate corporate logos on the back of cards or allow people to design their own sets subject to their requirements.
“I only wish I had done this business course years ago. The things I am learning have made me re-evaluate how I run my business and think about how I can do things better in the future.”
Laura added: “The skills we have learnt on the course have been invaluable in setting up the business website and we have been able to bring this product to market quickly and effectively.”
Having purchased printing equipment with some support from Caerphilly Council, the pair are hoping to branch out into gifts and producing flashcards in several languages.