North Wales draws in North American entrepreneur

If you are reading this article with the hope that Dawn Roberts-McCabe is the nom de plumb for one of the famous North American, dynamic duos who is pouring millions into the Wrexham football club, sorry to disappoint.

By DAWN ROBERTS-McCABE

I’M FROM CALIFORNIA, NOT CANADA (or Philly) and my interest in North Wales dates back a little longer and is rooted in personal experience. I spent six wonderful years heading up a children’s charity and forming, what I now realise were unbreakable bonds in the local community. In 2013, I returned to the U.S. Diplomatic corps as an immigration expert and started travelling the world again, but I left a big piece of my heart in North Wales.

In 2019, I returned to the UK with my sons, looking to set down more stable roots for them as my eldest son was due to start secondary school and didn’t want the transient lifestyle of the diplomatic corps. I too was ready to settle down again and quickly found a job as an area manager for a major international charity. Then COVID struck and my job offer was rescinded. Instead of meeting my regional team, I found myself at the JobCentre meeting my work coach! I had never signed on for support in my life, so at 40-something, it was a huge blow.

A turning point

While trying to figure out what to do next, a friend asked me for some advice on their spouse’s US Immigration case. I was able to assist them quickly and efficiently and at the end, my friend sent me wine and told me I should really be charging people for my services. That was the moment I knew I wanted to start my own consulting business, not just for the money but to take back some of the pride I’d lost along the way.

Here is where my connection to North Wales kicked in. I reached out to a friend and business owner to be my mentor. OK, it wasn’t really that official but that’s how it has evolved! I’d witnessed her striking out on her own in a small, shared office in Wrexham and grow her own business over the years. I know it can be a challenging road, so it was nice to have someone forging the path successfully ahead of me. My friend has been a great sounding board and helped me shape my business plan.

Developing an identity

A business needs an identity and mine was given life by Gresford-based designer Steve Kettell. He managed to take the sunrise I’ve been signing after my name since the first grade and make it into a regal logo. One fit for a consulting company.

Logo at the ready, next stop, breaking the internet with a smashing website designed down the road in Wrexham. I had worked with John Ulotti, UQ Web Design years ago on the charity website and was thrilled to hear he was still at it and better than ever. He deftly translated my very un-tech ramblings about a friendly, warm, yet professional website and made it happen.

There would be no Bespoke Immigration Consulting without UQ!

Overcoming the challenges

Rounding out my North Wales dream-team, is Libby Pritchard from Hall Livesey Brown, Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors

Her business advice has been invaluable. I appreciate the way she explains options to me and gives me the confidence to make my own decisions. It is always daunting to take on a new challenge and it is easy to second guess decisions but with an expert like Libby in my corner, I know my business will come out a winner.

Beginning trading in the middle of a pandemic was always going to be a challenge. I am very proud to say I’ve attracted clients from all over the world to my business. In the past year I’ve successfully reunited loved ones from Iraq to Australia with their loved ones in the United States. All with the help of my North Wales business associates!

Dawn Roberts-McCabe Bespoke Immigration Consulting bespoke-immigration.com