Lockdown didn’t stop this Mum of 2 expand her fitness business. With a lot of hard work and a little help from Successful Mums, Nicola’s business is thriving.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND PRE-CHILDREN?

I worked in corporate fitness for Nuffield Health, in London, most of my working life. This included a role as Fitness Manager looking after a team of Personal Trainers. In my spare time, I did some local freelance fitness, yoga class teaching, and a little personal training.

After I had my second child it became more difficult to escape to the city, even though I had already cut down to 2-3 days per week! I decided it was time to give up my corporate fitness job and just fit in a little local freelance work around being a stay-at-home Mum. At the time I was happy for my work to take a back seat and focus on family life. I was very lucky to have the flexibility to take on as much or as little work as I could manage.

HOW LONG WAS YOUR CAREER BREAK?

I have never been out of work however I did cut down my hours significantly for around 4 years.

WHAT BARRIERS DID YOU FACE STARTING YOUR BUSINESS?

The biggest challenge was finding the time to build my business. I felt that any “work time” away from the family, had to be spent actually earning money, rather than using the time to promote or develop my business or to learn the skills required to do so.

WHICH SUCCESSFUL MUMS COURSE DID YOU ATTEND?

The Digital & Social Media Promotion for Business Course.

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE COURSE?

I came across a Facebook post advertising a free Successful Mums Webinar about pivoting your business during Lockdown. I booked a place and it was whilst I was on there that I learnt about the digital course, it sounded just like what I needed and registered straight away!

TELL US YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE COURSE?

The course really challenged me and pushed me out of my comfort zone. As hard as that was, it was great that the assignments involved trying out digital platforms and tools that I had either never heard of or would have simply considered beyond me! I also learnt a lot more about developing my business and became a lot more focused.

DID THE COURSE CHANGE YOUR LIFE IN ANY WAY?

During Lockdown and before the course I had just about managed to adapt my business, but things felt very fragile. This course came along at just the right time, I have now learnt so many new digital and business skills that have already made my business stronger than it was before. My business has already become more than just a bit of extra “pocket money”. I have also enrolled on another course that will hopefully increase my earning potential further. It was great to be in contact with so many other Mums in the same situation.

TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS

I am a self-employed Fitness Trainer and Yoga Teacher and my business is called Rock Fitness and Yoga. I offer a mix of live online classes, fitness and yoga video-on-demand, in-person classes and personal training in gyms or in clients’ homes, dedicated to progressing the minds and bodies of those who struggle to find the time, giving them all the tools and encouragement needed to achieve their fitness and wellbeing goals.

I am enrolled on a Weight Loss Nutrition Course and a Virtual Coaching Course – both online with the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). I want to refresh my nutrition knowledge and learn how to offer an online nutrition coaching service via my website.

You can find out more on my website, HERE.

WHAT HAVE YOU TAKEN AWAY FROM THE COURSE AND HOW WILL YOU USE THIS IN THE FUTURE?

Learning that I am so much more capable than I thought. I feel so much more confident about taking on new challenges and trying new things with my business. More specifically, I feel much more confident about my business surviving and even thriving in the digital market. Before the course, I was a total technophobe but now I have a slick new website that will support all of the other services I wish to offer in the future.

WHAT TOP TIP WOULD YOU GIVE A MUM WHO IS AT THE START OF HER BUSINESS JOURNEY?

Clear your diary of anything non-essential for a few weeks because all your free time will be taken up working on this or thinking about the course and your business – but it is totally worth it!

WHAT ONE WORD WOULD YOU USE TO SUM UP THE COURSE?

DYNAMIC!

If you’ve been inspired by Nicola’s story to develop your business idea, apply for a place on one of our new courses starting soon, HERE.