As Ammanford Jobcentre prepares to stage its latest self-employment event offering advice and support to those wanting to set up their own business, the Guardian has spoken to local business owners who give an insight into how they took the plunge and became their own boss.

Now in its second year, the Be Your Own Boss event scheduled for Friday, February 17, will give people the opportunity to interact with local businesses and role models who will offer advice and support.

One role model excited to be part of the the event is Ammanford artist Cara Gibson who runs her successful businesses Art by Cara Gibson.

Cara said: “I am a self taught artist and I am self-employed running my own successful business while also supporting my four children by selling my original art works and prints throughout the United Kingdom and overseas.

“My style has been described as ‘unique’ a crossover between abstract and contemporary. I love the use of colour and feel inspired by nature that I see all around me on a daily basis living here in Wales.

“I have always been artistic and with an increasing demand from people wanting to buy my creations I decided to become my own boss with the help of Lawrence at Ammanford Jobcentre. He helped and advised me to reach for my dreams and now I am successfully running my own business and earning my income from my art.”

Cara has run successful solo exhibitions in Llandeilo, Swansea and most recently a month long solo-expedition in the Senedd, Cardiff which saw her work supported by AM Adam Price.

“If I can run my own business then I encourage anyone who has the idea to go for it, with the invaluable help and advice from all the staff at the Jobcentre you can achieve your dreams and be very proud of yourself.”

Cara will be at the jobcentre’s BYOB event to meet people interested in starting up their own business and following their dreams.

Also backing the event and who will be running workshops on the day is award winning career coach Carolyn Parry.

Carolyn, who runs Career Alchemy, said she is passionate about helping individuals to create successful, happy and meaningful working lives.

Says Carolyn: “I set up Career Alchemy because I wanted the freedom to be able to develop my own robust whole life career coaching model so that people would hate Mondays less! After all, we spend three quarters of our waking hours at work, so we might as well do something which plays to our strengths that we enjoy – particularly with retirement ages increasing. Setting up has enabled me to follow my passion and start to create the ultimate life I want.

“I am delighted to be involved with the Be Your Own Boss event so I repay PRIME Cymru (The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise in Wales) in some way for the help they have given me which enabled me to get going and then to win the Business Start Up award.

“I am keen to encourage others to take the plunge like I did. As part of this, I’m running two short workshops to help people find an idea to run with and get going and also to boost their confidence and self belief.

“As the world of work changes, with jobs becoming more insecure and zero hours working on the up, being captain of your own destiny by running your own business provides a great alternative and I am hoping to be able to encourage lots of people to get going too.”

Be Your Own Boss runs from 10am to 2pm on Friday, February 17 at Ammanford Jobcentre.

Lots of free support and advice will be available from different organisations including Business Wales, JCP, PRIME Cymru and The Prince’s Trust - as well as the chance to meet inspiring local business people.