After a whirlwind career taking her from
Buckingham Palace to working as an undercover surveillance officer, Claire
Jackson decided it was time to take control and re-adjust her work-life balance
following the birth of her daughter. Offering interactive storytelling,
creative play and adventures for under 5’s, Story Explorers was born.
Wanting to find out how to make her
small business more successful in its first year, Claire joined us for our ‘Boost
Your New Business’ course. We caught up with her to find out more about her new
business and how things have changed since we last saw her…
Following
the birth of her daughter and returning to the workplace, Claire found that her
work wasn’t flexible enough for her to strike a good work-life balance. A dilemma
which many new mums and women returners face.
She
says: “My previous role was pressured in what I was expected to do and so I
found it difficult. Certain issues made me feel unsupported. I believe people
expect you to return to work after having a baby to be the same. Your
priorities shift.”
“I
placed high expectations on myself as well and this contributed to me having
anxiety and depression. I needed to find a new job to stop these triggers and
find a way I could achieve some of the elements I was missing.”
For
Claire, starting her own business was the ideal solution. With support from her
family she took the plunge. “I have always had this little idea to start
something myself and use my education and passion. Having a child made me
believe that I could work with children and so I just needed a push to make me
take the leap!”
As
with any start-up business, taking those first steps to becoming self-employed
was daunting for Claire.
“It’s
very daunting – you can feel like you are alone out there. I was so used to
having peer and management support before and now it’s just me so you feel like
you are making it up as you go along. I was worried financially but my family
have been amazing - we’ve had to cut back but we are getting used to it!”
Claire
now enjoys the flexibility of working from home and being her own boss. “Being remote
means I can take my sessions anywhere – even outside which gives me lots of
flexibility. I choose when and where I work and I can factor in more time with
my family.”
Story
Explorers’ unique sessions carefully tie in to the Early Years Foundation Stage
framework, so they are the perfect mix of education and fun for little ones.
Claire also creates bespoke sessions to fit around exhibitions, events or
different locations.
So,
what does one of Claire’s sessions look like? She explains: “I create and
provide fun 45-minute story sessions based on themes in popular stories. We do
a song warm-up before finding clues relating to the story with our binoculars.
Then we embark on some educational activities which are related to the story.
We end with a bubble dance and then I read the story on the story mat!”
Looking
to take her business to the next level, Claire decided to take advantage of
Enterprise Hub’s ‘Boost Your New Business’ course. The course is designed to
help those in their first year of trade review important aspects of business, including
sales and marketing strategy, as well as business planning and management.
“It
was a fantastic two days of sitting in a room with other small business owners,
knowing you are not alone and hearing about new approaches to give what you are
already doing a big boost.”
So,
what did Claire take away from her time with the Enterprise Hub?
“I immediately
got a card machine! This now means attendees are not put off by having to pop
to the bank before a session. I refreshed my business plan by putting it into a
new format which was suggested as part of the session. It helps me to better understand
what it is I’m offering and gives me a clearer view of what I’m trying to
achieve. I now have a clear handle on the social media platforms that I need to
be using for my desired audience and I also now say no to doing things for
free!”
Now
into her second year of trading Claire hasn’t looked back: “I am finding more
and more people attending and I am thinking of other ways I can share what I
do. We now have four sessions in various Wirral locations as well as themed
events. I have started to do more parties and festivals as well as working with
charities and being in schools.
“There
is nothing more rewarding than seeing her pretend to be me at home with her
teddies watching her leading her own little class! I am a happy mum who now can
spend more time together with her family.”
We
asked Claire what advice she’d give to someone wondering how to start up a new
business: “Find someone who can hold your hand whilst you start such as The
Women’s Organisation. You need a business advisor to make sure you create a
strong foundation – a business plan to start from a firm platform. Simply
having one gives you confidence!”
To
find out more about Story Explorers, you can contact storyexplorers@outlook.com. You can also find them on Facebook
and Instagram.
If
you’ve been inspired by Claire’s story and would like to see how Enterprise Hub
can help you boost your new business, then get in touch with us. Email
hello@thewo.org.uk or ring us on 0151 706 8111.
