This is where it starts
Tuesday, January 8, 2013, My first baby massage class as an instructor at Yoga in Cheshire’s studio in Stockton Heath. It was a really icy, snowy and a very cold day. Not ideal conditions to be taking babies out. Three mums and babies were booked onto my first course. Actual paying customers, with expectations. I remember it like it was last week! I couldn’t believe when I received my first booking. I was fully aware choosing an activity with baby is massive, you want it to be a wonderful amazing experience. After taking baby massage myself with my baby five years before this, I knew what worked and what didn’t. I managed to teach the class without crumbling. I baked cakes just in case they didn’t like the class so at least they’ll remember the cakes. The class was a success and so were the cakes. The cakes and tea continue today. If nothing else, there’s always cake. My unique selling point.
The following week I taught my first class in my garden room, again three mums and babies. I’d already taught a test course with ‘guinea pig’ baby Fin and his mum Jolene over Christmas – and they loved it. I’m always grateful to them for allowing me to teach them and for promoting me!
I reflect on the past 10 years. I’ve gained more grey hair, wrinkles, weight. I love what I do, and I don’t think I’m that bad at it. I’ve welcomed hundreds of mums, sometimes Dads, sometimes Grandparents, the one time, a nanny. I’m delighted when mums have return with their second, third and even fourth baby. Bring your fifth and you get the course for free! It’s not just the massage, they like the small class, the environment, the experience, the cake and chat..and I think some of them even like me. I’ve become friends and good acquaintances with some. It’s so rewarding to see long lasting friendships forged because of my classes. It’s great bumping into them around the village, seeing how much their little ones have grown. I genuinely enjoy meeting mums and learning about their fascinating professions. Fun fact, I always seem to have at least one teacher in every class. But, as the years go by, the age gap between me and the mums widens. In the beginning they weren’t that much younger than me, but now I’m pretty much the same age as the grandparents.
Still teaching in my garden room. I’ve changed the layout, accessories and decoration over the years. I’ve taught in varying different locations across Warrington, Widnes, Northwich and now Hale, where I still teach. As well as lots of home visit sessions, I’ve provided classes and courses in many nursery settings across Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside, commissioned by a local authority to teach in Children’s Centres. My new and exciting challenge will be as guest lecture at a university later this year.
I gained my baby massage instructor qualification at the end of 2012, I achieved Business Start Up of the Year 2012 with David Mowat, the then MP for Warrington South after completing a business enterprise scheme. I continued to qualify to teach baby yoga, baby reflexology and pre-school yoga. I proudly won a national award, Start Up Business of the Year 2014 with What’s On 4 Mum & Working. What a boost that was. I was shortlisted for another national award, for Sole Trader of the Year 2016 with Small Business Awards.
Like for everyone, Covid was a challenge – do I pack in or do I try to continue? I gave it go online via Zoom. It gave mums something to do, learn some techniques and perhaps a chance to chat with someone else, but it wasn’t ideal. Although, I managed to teach mums from Dubai, Europe and other parts of the UK, so it had some advantage with further reach.
I’ve not developed or expanded as much as I perhaps could have, or should have done, but I’m proud with what I created and achieved. I’m independent and not a franchise – it’s all mine. I’ve kept going, much longer than I anticipated. Bookings have been up and down over the years, like for everyone. It can disheartening, but the satisfaction with teaching and providing much needed classes outweighs any lows. More competition emerges, but I manage to override this. I’ve met other amazing business owners over the years and we have supported each other.
I’ve further my offering more recently with Indian Head Massage and Thai Foot Massage for grown ups. Less crawling about on the floor and and no singing.
So, I have to thank all of the mums and dads for your support of my small business and choosing your baby activity with me. Without you I wouldn’t be here. It may not seem that much at, all but it’s everything to me. Here’s to the next 10 years. I’ll actually be a pensioner by then….
Baby Massage Course to be announced soon!
