Sue Harrington: Shiatsu at Work

I come from Cornwall & I have a teenage daughter.  I come from a teaching background and have taught Art & Design GCSE & A-Level and then I taught Aromatherapy Indian Head Massage part time and in July 2003 an opportunity arose to start up my own business in Aromatherapy.

Using my talents to start a business

I was teaching Aromatherapy students to start up their own business and I thought why don’t I do the same?  My job no longer looked safe and it motivated me to start.  My first group students still have a thriving business. I then kind of stumbled across the Women’s Business Development Agency.  When I asked someone about starting a new website someone suggested an enterprise link which put me through to WBDA which seemed to be what was meant to happen!

I found the support from the Women’s Business Development Agency really useful and supportive.  Joy Hunter, my business advisor, actually helped me to come up with the name.  Believing that many people would know about Shiatsu now.  It helped me to focus and see that it’s part of me now.

It was funny, as soon as I put my intention out there, I received 2 phone calls to do work for their staff & I hadn’t even advertised.  It changes you – as you have someone believing in you.

About Shiatsu at Work

This business is about relieving stress and tension from the workforce who have sit stationary for most of the day.  Shiatsu at Work provides 10, 15, 20 minute slots in the day for staff to become more energised after releasing tension.  Shiatsu at Work provides Shiatsu/seated acupressure, Indian head massage & foot massage all of which are using Shiatsu pressure points.

Challenges along the way

It was quite an eye opener, not a cushy number, working all hours and still trying to be a mum – no backup, I was single.  I developed counselling skills whilst I was doing Advanced Aromatherapy & this taught me to listen more to allow the client to open up.  My business has now branched out into a new direction where I want to bring Shiatsu to the public.

But I now feel stronger as there is the support & someone there to nudge you when you don’t feel like doing it.  Also I feel I’m not alone. Thank you WBDA!

For more information on Sue’s services please contact her on sue.lavenderblue@yahoo.co.uk or check out her email www.shiatsuatwork.co.uk