Needle Rock celebrates 10 years!!!
Needle Rock celebrates its 10th birthday on 22nd March 2023; and what a journey it has been!!! Here, Ali reminisces over a few of the major events that have taken place over the years…
March 2023 – The fifth series of upholstery classes started this month. There’s still some spaces
available if you fancy joining us, click here for more details.
Needle Rock is exceptionally proud to be shortlisted for two awards – both happening this month!
March 2022 – The Inspirational Women in Business book was launched, and became an Amazon #1 bestseller. Chapter 1, is about Ali and the Needle Rock journey.
February 2022 – Needle Rock exhibited a selection of pieces at the London Welsh Centre.
February 2022 – Rosie and Jason joined the team as the first apprentices at Needle Rock. They have both made great progress and are on schedule to complete their apprenticeships in May this year. A big thanks to the team at Myrick Training for all their support especially Russ and Nick.
September 2021 – Needle Rock acquired a tired and worn 23-year-old motorhome. Now wearing a fabulous Needle Rock makeover – she is transformed into the utterly amazing Flyaway Fanny mobile, with her very own Facebook page!
The story continues…
June 2021 – Ali joined a 12 month Business Mentoring programme with business entrepreneurs
Dawn Evans & Tracey Smolinski.
May 2021 – Needle Rock recruited its first official staff member, Ann, who was one of Ali’s first
students whilst running upholstery classes.
May 2019 – After a conversation with a local farmer in the local pub, Needle Rock moved to their
current location at The Barn. The workshop at Ali’s home is now used as a frame repair workshop.
The AMUSF affiliation… this was a BIG DEAL!
April 2019 – Needle Rock became affiliated with the Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft
Furnishers (AMUSF) as a full member.
September 2018 – Ali trekked to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru raising £5000 for Cancer Research Wales. It was on this trip she met Dawn Evans, who was later to become one of her business mentors.
April 2018 – Ali was awarded a Distinction in the Craft of Traditional Upholstery Level 3.
August 2015 – Ali was awarded a Credit in the Craft of Traditional Upholstery Level 2.
learning new skills, she came home and put them into practice straight away…
The earlier years…
2015 sometime – Needle Rock acquired a sales space in “The Malthouse” in Narberth.
April 2014 – Needle Rock created an upholstery workshop at their home address.
31st March 2014 – After five years of service, Ali left her professional role as a Plant Health Inspector with the Food & Environment Research Agency (an Executive Agency of DEFRA), to focus on the Needle Rock business full-time.
2014 sometime – Needle Rock secured a sales space in “The Old Curiosity Antiques” in Carmarthen.
2013 sometime – Needle Rock acquired their first business premises at ‘The Cellar Bar’ in Llanon. Ali & Gord worked so hard to make this work, but the premises had issues with humidity problems, and tidal flooding from the drains that made it impossible to stay.
22nd March 2013 – Needle Rock Limited was incorporated at Companies House.
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