Mum of four, Andrea, a children’s yoga teacher is passionate about promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.

Read here how she decided to stretch her mind and make her life on the mat a flexible business.

Can you tell me a bit about your business and what you offer?

Yoga for children. As a qualified children’s yoga instructor my classes will reinforce kindness to each other as well as to themselves in a positive and supportive environment.

We will practice yoga poses and yoga-based games followed by a short relaxation- All of which can help to improve mental health and wellbeing, confidence and feelings of balance and calm as well as helping to reduce stress and anxiety.

What made you decide to set up your own business?

I wanted to be able to work around family commitments and create something for children who may be struggling with stress, anxiety and lack of confidence.

Initially, as a qualified teacher, I was looking into building up home tutoring, offering support to children who may be lacking in confidence, I still enjoy my tutoring and it’s through this and years of being a mum that I have noticed increasingly how much stress and pressure children are under and feel.

The rise of anxiety in children is increasing and although it is becoming much more widely recognised, I believe that if we give children the tools that can help them cope now, they can carry it through to adulthood to help them through school tests, exams, interviews and the day to day pressures of life in general.

Were you working before you set it up – or was it after having time off raising your children?

I have worked with children over the years as a teacher, private tutor and within early years settings, so I’m still in the same line of work, just a different approach.

What made you decide to register for our Business Start-up Course?

I think I just needed that push to get going, I had a few ideas to work with and knew that I wanted to create a supportive role. I just wasn’t quite sure how or if I should.

How did you come across Successful Mums?

A good friend recommended it, I attended the Taster Session and booked straight on to the Business Start-up Course.

What was your experience of the course?

It was very supportive. The best advice I received was to break my business ideas down into steps, this way it seems far more achievable and something that will actually get done!

How beneficial was it to be in a group of like-minded women who were in a similar position and had similar goals?

It was lovely to meet like-minded women and bounce ideas off each other as well as hearing about their business ventures and lots of wonderful ideas. It was reassuring to know lots of us were in the same boat and all supportive of each other.

What were your next steps after the course?

To work out my small steps, organise relevant training and focus step by step.

What is the best thing about being your own boss?

Being able to work around my family and tailor my work around the needs of my students.

What have you been most proud of since setting up your business?

That I have finally actually done it rather than just thinking about doing it.

What have been your biggest challenges?

After the initial, ‘stop just thinking about it and get going’ thoughts, working out my time management was a challenge, sometimes it’s very hard to ‘switch off’!

Also, getting the right balance of advertising. Too much might put people off, too little- no one knows about it!

What’s been the most important thing you’ve learned along the way?

Learning the importance of work life balance and to look after your health.

How is your work-life balance now you’re running your own business?

It is becoming a lot more balanced now. I have to make sure I have set times for my work so I can spend maximum time with my family and friends and downtime etc.

Any next steps or new plans for the business you can tell us about?

I am currently continuing to train as an adult yoga teacher, so in time I’m hoping to hold classes for parents and children and have some ideas in mind for some other classes.

Anything else you’d say about the course?

I would highly recommend it.

What one piece of advice would you give a mum in your position who’s thinking of starting their own business? Is there one thing you wish you’d known at the beginning?

There’ll never be the ‘perfect time’, so just go for it.

If like Andrea you have a business idea you would like to put into practice, why not join us on our next Business Start-up Course, find out more details HERE.