Top tip to other women thinking about starting a business:
"Time management is needed especially if children are around (and lots of patience – as I write this my 1 year old is “cruising” under the table!). Do your research for desire for your product/service. This just gives you a boost when you feel like giving up. Give it a go, the satisfaction you gain as well as freedom to dictate your own working life is really worth the hard work."
Julie Bolton : Inform Health and Fitness
"Time management is needed especially if children are around (and lots of patience – as I write this my 1 year old is “cruising” under the table!). Do your research for desire for your product/service. This just gives you a boost when you feel like giving up. Give it a go, the satisfaction you gain as well as freedom to dictate your own working life is really worth the hard work."
Julie Bolton : Inform Health and Fitness
Julie Bolton: Inform Health and Fitness
My name is Julie, I am 36 years old, a mum to two gorgeous girls and I live in Bedworth. After an injury cut short my dance career I transferred my skills and knowledge of the body into the fitness industry. I have spent the past 7 years gaining a wealth of experience in various techniques through my work in the public and private sector.
How it all began…
When I was pregnant with my first child I was astounded at the lack of specialised instructors and information available on exercising through pregnancy. Even as a fitness professional with access to research etc. I found it hard going to find any concrete advice. I saw an opportunity to use my experience, skills
and knowledge to offer a specialised, highly qualified service to other women in Warwickshire dealing with not just pregnancy related fitness but the whole spectrum of female related conditions. Many women find using a gym very uncomfortable so I wanted to offer a more private and personal pathway to a better quality of life, I could implement this at the leisure centre I work for but after a financial forecast I would be better off financially to go on my own.So I had been planning my own gym for many years so my idea, research and skills were all ready to go but trying to fit it around having a second baby (I used my year of maternity leave to set up) my other child starting school and helping to run my partners business was a little ambitious and very stressful! Also you’re taking a risk embarking during an economic crisis so though I had experience in business I wasn’t qualified and didn’t study business through school either.
Needing a helping hand
Because I was unskilled in business I wanted advice and support so that I knew I was doing everything correctly. I called the Women’s Business Development Agency’s office direct to arrange an interview and it went from there…
I received so much guidance, experience and knowledge. Although you know your idea has a market, developing everything that is involved can be quiet daunting. My advisor, Carolyn Reily, was there to guide me and answer/assist with any queries or doubts that I had. I also attended a one day workshop at the Inland Revenue covering tax returns and advice on setting up which was invaluable!
I will be attending another workshop at the Inland Revenue on how to complete your tax return run on behalf of the Women’s Business Development Agency. This will improve my financial skills as I wish to do my own accounts and returns for now. Also the positive feedback I had from my advisor, Carolyn, kept my confidence in what I was doing and knowing that I can contact Carolyn whenever I need to help with future development.
About Inform Health and Fitness
Inform Health and Fitness is an alternative option to using a public/private gym. It offers specialist training for women from pregnancy and birth through to age related conditions and rehabilitation of the female form. In a private studio or your own home, you can train 1 to 1 with a group of your friends or you can attend a weekly fitness class together with support and advice on lifestyle changes. I also offer nutritional advice and all this is in a private environment to help people on their way to a healthy, balanced life.
I originally wanted a small, life balance orientated business but my confidence gained through WBDA’s support has shown me the potential the business has. I am now “jiggling” my future expansion ideas as I am now more open to ideas rather than having a strict, rigid plan on how I wanted the business to develop.
For more information about Julie's services please contact her 07973 420 550, julie@informhealthandfitness.co.uk or
http://www.informhealthandfitness.co.uk/
