Holistic approach to business

Cath preparing treatments in her Langley premises.

Cath Greenwood, 48 from Syke, has shown that it is never too late to start again having left the world of retail to set up her own business in Holistic Therapy. Cath, a devoted grandma to Kallim has two grown up children and admitted it was her family who inspired this change.

“Watching my girls come home full of the interesting things they were learning at school made me keen to take on new challenges and I enrolled in a holistic therapy course at Hopwood Hall College. It meant lots of fighting over who was going to get the computer for their homework, but it was all worthwhile when I gained my Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) Diploma”.

After a career spanning eighteen years managing shops in Burnley and Stretford for Granada TV, Cath was made redundant earlier this year. With her new found qualifications in Reflexology, Aromatherapy and Indian Head Massage to name but a  few, Cath started looking for another job in the local papers. 

One advert in particular caught her eye. This was for the New Entrepreneur Scholarship scheme, funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and run locally to give training and start-up grants to people wanting to set up in business. 

“Enrolling on this course was the best thing I ever did”, said Cath. “I already had got back into the routine of studying which helped me a lot.  The considerable grant at the end enabled me to set up my premises at 34, Broomfield Crescent in Langley, which required interior redecoration and stock.  I made a conscious decision to use a private residence in Langley to offer that personal approach which is often lacking at town centre salons. I feel that the homely environment attracts clients who would perhaps feel intimidated by bright busy salons and this theory is borne out so far with a good mix of men and women on my books.” 

As well as having private clients at her new premises, Cath also works for the Well Women Centre in Middleton, local centres for people with learning difficulties and an initiative called “Hanson Corner”, where her alternative therapies can be used to help people with a variety of addictions.  She also visits the housebound who have arthritic problems.

During these first few months, Cath has been supported by staff at the Rochdale Women into Enterprise project. “Jane has been a godsend in helping me get hold of useful business information quickly and easily. She and Barbara have also welcomed me to their network evenings, and these, together with the monthly informal get-togethers I attend with colleagues from the NES scheme have given me the best boost so far. Starting up a business involves a great deal of hard work; there are difficult times when the cashflow is tight and it is great to know that you are not alone and have other people to share ideas with”.

Cath is keeping up her night classes training in deep muscle massage, which is very useful for treating muscle injuries or colic in babies.  She also hopes to integrate beauty services into her salon at a later date.

Cath can be contacted on 0161 287 1216