Latest news with #KellyPowling
Business News Wales
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Wellness Studio Launches in Cardiff With Start Up Loan Support
A new wellness concept is opening its doors in Cardiff thanks in part to £50,000 of Start Up Loans finance. Founded by 27-year-old Kelly Powling, OREN Wellness offers a premium space for movement, recovery and community. The studio specialises in reformer pilates, mat pilates, yoga and barre, alongside recovery therapies such as infrared saunas, red light therapy, and ice baths. OREN is also the first studio in Cardiff to offer on-demand reformer pilates, which allows clients to book solo sessions and follow expert-led workouts via a touchscreen kiosk and wireless headphones during off-peak hours. 'The idea for OREN started when I noticed how limited the reformer pilates options were in Cardiff', explains Kelly. 'But the more I researched, the more I realised this city was missing more than just one type of class. It needed a space that prioritised wellbeing as a whole, not just workouts. That's where the vision for OREN really came to life.' With a background in social media marketing, events, and brand building, Kelly already had a strong local following. She's the founder of Fierce Femmes, a 4,500-strong community for women, co-owns Penny's Podcast Studio in South Wales, and runs the @cardifffoodie blog, where she's collaborated with more than 100 independent businesses. To support the launch of OREN, Kelly secured a Start Up Loan through the British Business Bank, providing the funding needed to turn her studio concept into a fully operational business. Kelly and her co-director applied for two loans of £25,000 each, which were received in stages to help manage their cash flow. The funding covered critical early-stage costs, including the unit deposit, reformer beds, interior design, legal fees, branding, and equipment for their bespoke recovery suite. 'The Start Up Loan was absolutely essential in bringing OREN to life', says Kelly. 'It gave us the momentum and means to move forward confidently, and the process itself was so much more human than I expected. Our loan advisor was incredible – supportive, accessible and genuinely invested in our success.' Beyond funding, the pair also received access to business mentoring and ongoing guidance, which Kelly says 'made all the difference' in those early months. The studio plans to partner with like-minded local businesses, complementary brands, and content creators. Looking ahead, Kelly is ambitious about what OREN can bring to the city. 'OREN is about more than just exercise – it's a lifestyle. We're creating a space that helps people slow down, reset, and feel better in every sense. That's the future of wellness, and we're so excited to be a part of shaping it in Cardiff.' Jess Phillips-Harris, Senior Manager for Wales at the British Business Bank, said: 'OREN is a fantastic example of how Start Up Loans can help turn vision into reality. Kelly and her team have built something truly special – a business that not only meets demand but brings real value to the community. We're proud to support passionate founders just like her who are helping to redefine established sectors with purpose and creativity.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Inside luxury new Cardiff wellness centre where you can do infared hot yoga and barre
A stunning new wellness studio has opened up in Cardiff, bringing movement and community to Wales' capital. With wellness taking the world by storm as new fitness classes become trendy more and more people are improving their physical and mental well-being. Kelly Powling, 27, opened her first studio, OREN, near Newport Road in Cardiff this month offering a plethora of popular fitness and wellness classes. The aim of the studio is to bring a sense of calm, support and elevation to people's mind and body. The studio was designed to perfectly match its name, with an orange colour palette throughout the location on Rhymney River Bridge Road, Penylan. READ MORE: UK strawberry warning at Tesco, M&S and Sainsbury's as experts have 'never seen anything like it' READ MORE: Welsh hotel with this iconic view unveils multi-million pound transformation OREN has multiple fitness classes focusing on strength, flexibility, relaxation and mindfulness. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here Classes on offer include, reformer Pilates, mat Pilates, yoga, barre and guided mindfulness. They also have an infrared studio and a recovery suite to relax both your muscles and your mind. The Cardiff-born owner said she "couldn't imagine launching OREN anywhere else" other than her home town. She said: "The city has so much energy, and there's a growing appetite for high-quality, considered wellness spaces. I felt there was a real gap for something that blended premium design with purposeful movement and recovery - a space that felt calm, elevated, and welcoming." Whilst Kelly is new to the fitness industry, she has created a name for herself with her background in marketing creating spaces such as @Cardifffoodie, which she has run for over eight years, a women's networking platform Fierce Femmes as well as co-owning the Penny's Podcast Studio with her sister in Rhiwbina. OREN opened its doors to the public on May 11, but the process to getting there was a journey for Kelly and the team she worked with to make it possible. She said: "It's been intense, emotional, and surreal. Every part of the studio has been designed with intention - from the Recovery Suite to the colour palette, lighting, and scent. I've learned so much, and I've poured everything into it. "I've also had incredible help from the experts around me - it's been a real team effort. From Linds Saunders-Jones at Brand Interior Agency, who brought the design vision to life, to Joe at Clear Choice, who's led the build with so much care and precision, and Nicole Roberts from Nicole Roberts Agency, who helped shape the brand - I couldn't be more grateful for the people who've supported this and helped make OREN what it is. "There's been stress, of course, but I wouldn't change a thing. Seeing it all come together has been the most rewarding experience."
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Inside luxury new Cardiff wellness centre where you can do infared hot yoga and barre
Inside luxury new Cardiff wellness centre where you can do infared hot yoga and barre The wellness studio is a unique space in Cardiff offering on-demand Pilates as well as other fitness and mindfulness classes Cardiff-born owner, Kelly Powling opened her first wellness studio this month and hopes to open more across the UK A stunning new wellness studio has opened up in Cardiff, bringing movement and community to Wales' capital. With wellness taking the world by storm as new fitness classes become trendy more and more people are improving their physical and mental well-being. Kelly Powling, 27, opened her first studio, OREN, near Newport Road in Cardiff this month offering a plethora of popular fitness and wellness classes. The aim of the studio is to bring a sense of calm, support and elevation to people's mind and body. The studio was designed to perfectly match its name, with an orange colour palette throughout the location on Rhymney River Bridge Road, Penylan. The colour palette perfectly matches the studio's name (Image: Kelly Powling ) OREN has multiple fitness classes focusing on strength, flexibility, relaxation and mindfulness. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here Classes on offer include, reformer Pilates, mat Pilates, yoga, barre and guided mindfulness. They also have an infrared studio and a recovery suite to relax both your muscles and your mind. Article continues below The interior design is luxurious, creating a relaxing environment (Image: Kelly Powling ) The Cardiff-born owner said she "couldn't imagine launching OREN anywhere else" other than her home town. She said: "The city has so much energy, and there's a growing appetite for high-quality, considered wellness spaces. I felt there was a real gap for something that blended premium design with purposeful movement and recovery - a space that felt calm, elevated, and welcoming." The Pilates room within the studio where classes take place throughout the week (Image: Kelly Powling ) Whilst Kelly is new to the fitness industry, she has created a name for herself with her background in marketing creating spaces such as @Cardifffoodie, which she has run for over eight years, a women's networking platform Fierce Femmes as well as co-owning the Penny's Podcast Studio with her sister in Rhiwbina. OREN opened its doors to the public on May 11, but the process to getting there was a journey for Kelly and the team she worked with to make it possible. The infrared room has heaters that warm the studio, for hot yoga and Pilates sessions, directly warming your body (Image: Kelly Powling ) She said: "It's been intense, emotional, and surreal. Every part of the studio has been designed with intention - from the Recovery Suite to the colour palette, lighting, and scent. I've learned so much, and I've poured everything into it. "I've also had incredible help from the experts around me - it's been a real team effort. From Linds Saunders-Jones at Brand Interior Agency, who brought the design vision to life, to Joe at Clear Choice, who's led the build with so much care and precision, and Nicole Roberts from Nicole Roberts Agency, who helped shape the brand - I couldn't be more grateful for the people who've supported this and helped make OREN what it is. Article continues below "There's been stress, of course, but I wouldn't change a thing. Seeing it all come together has been the most rewarding experience."
