Ioan Dillon, 24, founded Llanelli's Lean Kitchen while still studying for his A Levels, and the business now ships fresh, healthy ready-meals to customers across the UK. The company is preparing to upgrade its kitchen to increase output from 5,000 units a week to 10,000, with projected revenue for 2026 topping £1 million, according to Dillon.
From A Levels to Entrepreneurship
Dillon started the business six years ago, balancing his studies with the demands of launching a company. He was initially reluctant to finish his A Levels, but was convinced to stay on. He completed them at Ysgol Y Strade, achieving three As in PE, business and ICT.
His parents own a car dealership in Carmarthen, and Dillon says he grew up surrounded by business talk. "I've been aware since I was a child basically, that it's 24/7 if you have your own business," he said. His brother, Osian, has since joined the business as manager, which Dillon says has improved his work-life balance.
Growth and Expansion
In the early days, Dillon did the cooking, his mother Angharad handled the washing up, and his father Walter delivered the meals. After completing his A Levels, Dillon opened a cafe and later took excess stock to a nearby service station, where demand was so high that shelves emptied quickly. This led him to close the cafe and focus on business-to-business sales.
"It was probably the biggest decision in the six years, closing the cafe and going business-to-business, but definitely the best decision I've made," Dillon said. The meals are made fresh each week by in-house chefs, calorie-controlled and protein-packed, with options for low-carb, calorie-controlled or balanced diet programmes.
Impact and Recognition
Dillon says customer feedback drives him, citing recent messages from clients who have seen health improvements. One customer said the meals helped him return to playing football, while another reported his cholesterol levels dropped by 70% and he lost more than four stone. The company has won awards, including Scale Up company at the Wales Food & Drink Awards.
Dillon has also spoken at schools, telling students: "Three years ago I was you, I was sat in that desk, not really knowing what I wanted to do, and I just went for it. So if you've got something you're passionate about, just go for it." He has no immediate plans for other ventures, saying: "I always think stick to what you know."
