With an interest sparked nearly 8 years ago whilst at University, local resident Amanda Carey has taken her love of Pilates to the next level and launched her very own business teaching others with the help of the East of England Development Agency’s (EEDA) Inspiring Women’s Enterprise programme.
Believed to increase flexibility, improve posture and stamina, aid relaxation and result in greater energy, Pilates has clear benefits and Amanda, 27, aware of how detrimental sitting at a desk or conversely standing all day can be to a person’s posture and overall health and wellbeing is able to advise on exercises which can help lead to healthier movement and boost people’s confidence.
Photo: Amanda helps a member of her class
Amanda Carey Pilates delivers hands-on teaching at reasonable prices in a comfortable studio environment in Norwich. In addition, Amanda offers tailor-made courses to schools and companies in the local area, with the aim of improving staff wellbeing. Amanda’s enthusiasm for the healing and strengthening benefits of Pilates spills through in her classes and she endorses the Joseph Pilates Method, which consists of a series of mat-based exercises that use the body’s own resistance to stretch it within and, gradually, beyond, its natural range of movement.
So far, Amanda’s training includes achieving a Level 2 award in Pilates through Future Fit Training in June 2009. Currently working towards her Level 3 award through REP’S (the Register of Exercise Professionals), once she has achieved this, Amanda plans to focus her training in back care and pre and post-natal care, in order to reach out to more people with her refreshing Pilate’s programme. She also hopes to become a certified trainer in Nutrition and Weight Management, in order to equip her clients with the appropriate nutrition advice and knowledge to supplement their fitness goals.
With a diverse background in customer services, media, photography, human resources, and retail management, previously career satisfaction eluded her. It is now that she is beginning to feel rewarded and happy in what she hopes will be a successful and long term business.
Excited by the prospect of launching her own studio, to begin with Amanda was equally overwhelmed by the mounting paperwork and looming questions about the promotion, legislation, and taxation side of the business. Help was close at hand though. Having walked past the Norwich Enterprise Centre on Guildhall Hill on countless occasions, she finally decided to bite the bullet and find out just what business support was on offer.
Through EEDA’s Inspiring Women’s Enterprise programme (IWE), which is funded by the European Social Fund, Amanda had an initial meeting with NWES business adviser, Richard Voisey. She then took the opportunity to attend the 5-day IWE business planning course, where a number of professionals offered their guidance on Bookkeeping, Marketing, Legislation, Sales and Financial Forecasting and Business Planning:
“Myself and the other attendees were advised on the highs and lows of running your own business, from people with first-hand experience, comments Amanda.
“Richard Voisey was assigned to be my business manager and, right from the outset, has given me thought-provoking, practical advice, in order to proceed with confidence and diligence. Thank you Richard!”
So, does Amanda have any advice to offer other aspiring entrepreneurs? “Having attended the self employment course, I think my approach is more targeted and the business streamlined.
“A viable business plan requires more than simply loving what you do (although this is a huge benefit) – passion and enthusiasm may be enough to set your business in motion, but a viable, long-term, and ultimately, rewarding business will also need to be profitable. Also, do not fall into the trap of thinking that you’ll be your own boss – as a Pilates teacher, instead of being employed by just one person or organization, I am employed by many!”
NWES Business Advisor Richard Voisey has been impressed with Amanda’s dedication: “She has been an absolute delight to work with. Her energy and enthusiasm will help to drive the business and importantly assist her clients in benefiting enormously through Pilates. I have particularly enjoyed discussing the issues around negotiation. It is vital for the business that overheads are managed closely so as not to add unnecessary demands on the sales forecast.”
If you are trying to set up in business and need help or support call 0845 60 99 99 1 or visit
www.nwes.org.uk.
NWES was able to provide help and guidance under the Inspiring Women’s Enterprise programme, a fully-funded initiative in the East of England that provides women with the skills to get into employment or start a business. This project is an Enterprise Coaching product, which is part of Solutions for Business, the Government's package of publicly funded business support designed to help companies start and grow. It is funded by the European Social Fund and the East of England Development Agency.
