In February 2020, Panikos Parpa achieved his lifetime ambition when he opened his own nightclub in the centre of Cardiff. High-end and exclusive, his 101 Nightclub was packed with footballers, models, musicians and influencers. Panikos was living the dream and being paid well for the privilege. Six weeks later, the country went into lockdown, and his nightclub doors have remained firmly shut ever since. After ten days of 'stress, panic and no sleep', Panikos and his two business partners came up with an idea to cook their way out of Covid. They decided to combine their love of clubbing and food into a brand new eating experience – a space where you could eat, drink and dance at the same time. So when lockdown was eased last summer, he opened 202 Kitchen – a pop-up ‘restaurclub’ in Manchester. Even though it had to shut again six weeks later, 202 Kitchen was so successful, he’s now planning to open a series of them once we’re out of lockdown. We follow Panikos as he puts his plans into action.
At Banter Cards, boss Toni unveils her latest staff member – six-month-old Spencer. Toni had Spencer in July, and the story of his birth is eye-wateringly painful and funny. But it was all worth it, as he inspired, and is now modelling, Banter’s new baby range.
When the first lockdown happened, 23-year-old Mari Gwenllian worried if she’d made the right decision jacking in her job as a barista to work full time as an artist. She needn’t have. Specialising in abstract nudes, often of herself, her work now adorns t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags and calendars, and she has a growing list of clients commissioning private portraits. Having long been uncomfortable in her own body, Mari now exudes body positivity.
Finally, Christmas is coming, and Laura, of Mallows Beauty, is in a race against time to get her orders in the post. Toni from Banter Cards shows us round her shop and unveils her newest range: big, sweary neon signs. Finally, we meet Ifan the Milk – the young farmer who has people queuing for up to two hours to get hold of his milkshakes.
Despite the pandemic, more under-25s are setting up businesses than ever before. These entrepreneurs are young, Welsh and bossin’ it. Show less