When Mandy Powell, founder of The Goodwash Company, saw her products featured on the final episode of the beloved British sitcom Gavin & Stacey, it wasn’t just another TV moment—it was a surreal milestone for the Welsh entrepreneur and former hockey player. Sitting in her parents’ home in Baglan, Port Talbot, on Christmas Day, Mandy suddenly spotted her brand in a scene with Smithy.
“I was like, ‘Look, Mam! It’s Goodwash!’ and pointed at the screen,” she recalled in an interview with Cardiff Life Magazine. “It meant the absolute world to me. I felt so immensely proud. It might’ve been a tiny snippet, but it was incredibly special as a huge fan of the show and as a girl from Barry.”
For Mandy, the cameo wasn’t planned. “It was a total surprise,” she says. Yet the ripple effects have been immense. The Goodwash Company, which began in 2018 and opened its first shop at Goodsheds, Barry, in 2020, experienced a surge in visibility and sales after the appearance.
“Our Instagram interactions skyrocketed, and our young creatives team managing TikTok were thrilled. Their views jumped from an average of 2k to 100k daily!” Mandy shares. Even during the typically quiet post-Christmas period, the buzz kept things busy. Loyal customers, many of whom have supported the brand from the start, were equally overjoyed. “They felt as proud as we did when they spotted our products in Pam and Mick’s Billericay bathroom,” she adds.
At its heart, The Goodwash Company is about more than just luxury. “Our mission is simple but powerful,” Mandy explains. “Each time you wash—whether it’s your skin, hair, or even your dog’s fur—you’re helping improve lives in local Welsh communities. It’s #onewashatatime.”
The brand focuses on gender-neutral, natural products made with local ingredients wherever possible. From their sumptuous shampoos to their lush soaps, Mandy promises that customers can “do good without compromising on quality.”

Being featured on Gavin & Stacey—a show synonymous with Welsh culture—was especially meaningful for Mandy. “Honestly, it means the absolute world,” she says. The series has brought positivity to Barry, with many of its iconic locations still part of everyday life. “Most days, I take my dog Dilys, our company’s ‘fur director,’ to the island and grab a coffee at Marco’s.”
As for what’s next, Mandy is brimming with plans. “We’re focusing on our ‘do good’ initiatives, raising awareness and support for key societal issues. We have a new website launching soon, and thanks to support from the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme, we’re exploring exciting export and sustainability plans for 2025 and beyond.”
Mandy’s journey—from Barry girl to the founder of an award-winning luxury brand—is a testament to passion, perseverance, and pride in her roots. For her, seeing Goodwash in such a beloved show wasn’t just about the brand—it was a moment of connection, nostalgia, and hope for the future.
“Even when I’m older and greyer, those bottles will still be behind Smithy,” she says, smiling. “And that’s just lush.”