After leaving school I continued my education gaining a BTEC National Diploma in Fashion & Design and a BTEC National Diploma in Business & Finance. I have always been interested in art, craft and fashion as was taught by family design and dressmaking. Through further education I found myself more interested in the business side of fashion, keeping dressmaking skills as a personal interest.
My first job was at Liberty, Regent Street, Sales Assistant. A fantastic opportunity as Liberty was one of a few companies where all business was completed in house. This gave me the opportunity to work with all levels within retail management, buyers, merchandisers, press office, window dressers, designers and the customer. I continued working within retail for 11 years, developing my role to assistant manager, assistant merchandiser and assistant buyer.
Due to health issues my working role changed, for myself I needed to work closer to home as several years before I became epileptic and due to stress and other issues causing fits and petit mal attacks due to this I wanted to gain control of my health while still maintaining a skilled job role. My new role was within the pharmaceutical industry, a very different industry and environment, from receptionist, medical clerical assistant to pharmaceutical pack management.
My last job was one that not only was good geographically but a good company, a great team and an enjoyment to go to work, not just for the job satisfaction that I got but mainly for working within a great team of lovely people. Unfortunately in August 2010 our whole department was made redundant; we were given notice of this and within this time were given support in what we could go on to do. I saw this as a fantastic opportunity to ask myself ‘what do I want to do’, I took advantage to all help and assistance offered to me while working the redundancy notice and found myself able to answer the question.
Through what I do and enjoy in my personal life I found that I could, with training, make reflexology my new professional life, a complete change, with positive thinking and having the opportunity to do this without effecting mine or my partners position financially. From completing manicures, massaging hands and backs of family members as well as receiving treatments myself at beauty salons and having a personal interest in chakra stones, reflexology and alternative therapies which I gained through living with epilepsy decided to train to be a reflexologist, it also helps that I like feet!
Once I found the answer to the question I received help, guidance and advice on whether this could be a manageable and profitable business that would work for me, my partner and baby expected in January 2011! Through lots of market research I found that I would be able to offer a service to people close to home, a strong interest from care homes and retirement homes and this is where I decided to aim my business. I had originally thought to treat people from home by converting our spare bedroom in to a treatment room, this would suit me greatly having clients come to me, however I found it would be a disadvantage for several health and safety reasons, clients climbing the stairs, layout of home and treatment room and also more costly for insurance of home and business, I am very glad that our spare bedroom is now our daughter’s bedroom.
Since redundancy, completing training, becoming a fully qualified reflexologist and also a mummy I have found another market area with an interest in reflexology through the children centre which I attend with my daughter and am able to offer my service to parents. In the future I could treat children too but would need to complete another course before I offer my services to children / babies.
I am personally in a position now where I am happy for my daughter to be looked after by others while I put all training in to practise and create a successful, profitable business.
Future for myself and business, if I was to have another child I am able to work while pregnant and get assistance from other reflexologists who could continue treatments for clients, able to maintain therapy. Through further training offer treatments to children and babies and learn other CAM therapies. Current market within 3 mile radiance, if we were to move, skills come with me but new clients needed.
My role is as a sole trader working by myself for myself. I am a member of the AOR, Association of Reflexologists. I completed my training at the CLSR, Central London School of Reflexology and qualified in 2011 as a CAM therapist, qualified to complete all treatments available as detailed above. I also have a BTEC National Diploma in Business & Finance which will help me with the basic day to day tasks of running a business. I have researched the market which assisted me in choosing to aim my business to Retirement and Care Homes, I have recently researched competitors, who are not offering their services direct to this market. Through education and previous work tasks I am able to manage financial spreadsheets, helping to plan future business plans and financial success.
I am a people person, enjoy meeting people, like close personal contact with people, all of which help to complete these therapies on a professional basis. I am personally a planner and well organised, skills which can be applied to the business. I enjoy completing these therapies and want to help others, like seeing the transition of better health through therapies I am able to offer.
While training I had to complete a number of treatments to a number of clients, all with different needs and health issues. Several of these clients I still treat to maintain my skills and to continue assisting clients aiding a healthier, happier well being. Through the AOR membership I receive newsletters and communication regarding CAM therapies. I plan to take part and attend conferences and future exhibitions via communications I receive from the AOR and the CLSR where my qualification was gained. There is a very close relationship between therapists and through networking / linkedin / facebook and several forums discuss issues and help each other continue with a successful business.
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