15/9/2009

Rhodri Davies, a Welsh business man who owns a soft drinks company has been named a national finalist in the 2009 Barclays Trading Places Awards - a national award honouring men and women who are turning their lives around by choosing to start up a business.

The Government-backed awards recognise business heroes who are no strangers to overcoming adversity - whether it's dealing with illness or disability, facing challenging family responsibilities head-on, or turning their back on benefits.

This year's national finalists are competing in three new categories - Triumph over Disability, Success after Unemployment and the Spirit of Inspiration Award - and the
Carmarthen entrepreneur is now hoping to scoop the top title in the award finals to be held in October.

After his father suffered a brain seizure brought on by encephalitis, leaving him unable to walk or communicate initially, 23-year-old Rhodri Davies had to take over
the running of his family's 180-acre dairy farm business.

For the next two years Rhodri put his life on hold to support his mother and two younger brothers, whilst helping his father in his long rehabilitation. These events served to show Rhodri how fragile life can be and gave him the determination to start his own business.

Whilst he was coaching soccer in America, Rhodri had become interested in smoothie drinks and after his return home he started selling them at various outdoor events and exhibitions.

Wanting to know more about the business, Rhodri attended several workshops on food and drink marketing, and discovered he could hire a manufacturing unit, supported by professional food technicians, from Food Centre Wales.

In the summer of 2008, Rhodri launched his own drinks brand called SoBor, manufacturing fruit smoothies and distributing them to bars, restaurants, hotels and cafes in South Wales. The products are designed to either be drunk on their own or
used as a cocktail mixer with spirits and liqueurs.

The business is steadily growing, with SoBor smoothies now being distributed into Mid Wales and beyond, the company has increased its production to 10 times a month compared to only once a month when it started. Rhodri continues to develop new
recipes whilst researching future market trends in flavours and tastes, and also has plans to expand into a larger manufacturing unit.

Barclays Marketing Director for Local Business, John Davis, a judge on the panel, said: "Trading Places celebrates inspirational people who have struggled through adversity to get their businesses up and running. Even with the odds against them they've made a success of their business and their lives, and I congratulate Rhodri on his hard work on becoming a national finalist, which is a fantastic achievement. I'm really looking forward to hearing more about them at our awards night in October."

Rhodri will now be invited to attend a glittering black-tie awards dinner in London at The InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane, on 13th October, where each category winner will walk away with £5,000 for their business, courtesy of Barclays.

All national finalists will also receive £2,000 worth of computer software from awards supporter Microsoft.