Denbigh-based Nia Jones decided to start her own business, Traed Fyny - Feet Up, encouraged by the need for a better work-life balance and more flexibility to care for her young family. She approached the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service and received advisory support with all aspects of starting and running her own business which enabled her to set up as a clinical reflexologist in July 2019.
- successfully launched new reflexology business
- Business Wales start-up support
- sustainability advice through the Business Wales Green Growth Pledge
Introduction to business
Passionate about health and well-being, Welsh speaker Nia Jones recently set up her own business working as a clinical reflexologist. Launched in July 2019, the business offers professional holistic treatments specialising in reflexology in Denbigh and its surrounding area.
Why did you set up your own business?
I started my own business so that I could give my family and myself the best flexibility and balance. It happened to be quite timely that I was able to start the training to become a clinical reflexologist during my maternity leave, and being my own boss allows me to work around the duties of being a mother and a wife!
I also felt that I didn't have a unique skill to share with others, apart from communication and engagement skills with people. As a mother, I encourage my children to try different things that make them happy, and to learn as many new skills as they can. This has also been a factor for choosing to be a clinical reflexologist. The learning has been an eye-opening and fascinating experience – and I'm still learning now. Being able to help others to help themselves to heal by receiving reflexology, to me, is invaluable.
What challenges did you face?
The biggest challenge for me was juggling everything in terms of studying, writing case studies, raising the kids, holding down another part-time job and having a little bit of ‘me time’, too!
Business Wales support
Nia accessed the Business Wales service through the medium of Welsh. She received advisory support with the main aspects and considerations of starting a business. Adviser Sian E Jones further helped with the business name, marketing, market research, legal status, insurance, tax and NI.
Sian is still monitoring her progress and providing ongoing support to Nia as she looks to take the business to the next level.
Outcomes
- The advice and support provided by Business Wales enabled Nia to move forward and start trading in July 2019.
- Sustainability support to help with resource efficiency measures through the Business Wales Green Growth Pledge.
The support from Sian has enabled me to receive information about courses that I previously had no idea about. She has also started me on the right track and made me realise that there is a place for me and my business in today's world, and that has given me a lot of confidence.
Future plans and ambitions
I would like to be known for offering Workplace Well-being sessions to ensure that staff are contented. The well-being of staff is so important and greatly influences the performance of individuals in the workplace. I would also like to specialise in reflexology specifically for back pain and ear reflexology. It is a dream for me to see my field getting the recognition it deserves.
If you want to read more success stories of how Business Wales has helped other people like you to start or grow their businesses, visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/case-studies or follow @_businesswales / @_busnescymru on Twitter.