28 Aug 2007
Victoria Haigh used to work long hours as an Event Manager in Motor Racing Hospitality. For Victoria, it wasn't a difficult decision to change direction and pursue a career she has always been passionate about.
She says: "I also wanted to run my own business and spend more time exercising - to my mind the perfect combination! My personal trainer in Warwick couldn't recommend Premier Training highly enough so I decided to make the leap and enrol onto the Diploma in Personal Training and Sports Massage Therapy."
"I found the Premier course to be well researched, well taught and made me believe in my ability to achieve what I wanted - that it wasn't impossible. The staff are completely approachable and bend over backwards to help - they really do put themselves out. They want you to succeed as much as you do. Don't get me wrong, Premier don't hand it to you on a plate. You have to have the drive and the business sense to make it all work but they point you in the right direction and give you all the foundations you need to build on."
Shortly after graduating, Victoria set up her own limited company called You1st and turnover reached around £15,000 in the first year and doubled in the second year. She is now in her third year of trading. Victoria runs a private gym in her converted garage where she undertakes one-to-one personal training sessions and sports therapy sessions.
"I always wanted to create an exercise environment for people who don't like to exercise in public. This has proved a great success but I think the personal touch, such as giving them their own towel and water bottle, a banana or a bottle of lucozade sport at the end of a tough session or even sending them a birthday card, makes all the difference."
Victoria sees between 13 and 27 clients each week depending on the time of year. At peak times, she will find herself having to turn people away. She has several clients who have been training with her since day one and she says: "I gain huge satisfaction from seeing how happy my clients are when they achieve their goals. This year I have 10 clients taking part in their first Race For Life and another two who have progressed from running their first 5k with me in 2005 to running a 10k in 2006. They are now taking part in the Great North Run. It's great to get a text message from a client when they've just crossed the finish line telling me how wonderful they feel. One of my clients turned 40 last year and thanked me in front of all her friends for making her feel so good about herself. I am getting an increasing number of clients through recommendations, which is the biggest compliment you can receive."
Victoria worked at a remedial therapy clinic for a while when she first qualified and was both surprised and pleased that many of the clients followed when she left.
"I have found the development of my own experience and fitness as invaluable as the academic side of continuing professional development - competing in 10 mile races and triathlons holds as much credibility for many potential clients. I found joining a sports massage body a really useful addition to REPs as it made me more confident in my abilities as a therapist and has enabled me to increase this area of my work."
Victoria admits that she has had to be flexible to adapt her marketing to suit different demographics as one size definitely doesn't fit all! She still make home visits and sometimes works odd hours.
"I intend to continue to offer a personal touch and to build a reputation which makes me the preferred choice of exercise professional in my locality. I am also in the process of joining up with a client, who is currently completing the Premier course, to expand and promote the nutrition side of our work. "
www.you1st.co.uk
