When Nicole Fraser, 38, from Cairneyhill, was made redundant she decided not only to go to university, but set up her own business, The Yoga Rebellion.
Q What does your business do?
A I run body positive yoga classes across west Fife. Yoga can sometimes seem quite daunting, especially for people who feel they don’t have a yoga body – whatever that may be. My mission is to spread the word that yoga really is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, level of ability or body size.
Q Why did you start in business?
A I discovered yoga when I was recovering from a long illness and thyroid surgery. Being able to move and breathe freely felt great and I got hooked. Then I got the chance to train as a teacher. I never thought of it as a business venture, it was just something I loved and wanted to share. Before I knew it www.theyogarebellion.co.uk was up and running.
Q How did you get where you are?
A I lost my job when Tullis Russell Papermakers went into administration in 2015. It was a pretty traumatic time, but I felt it was an opportunity to make some life-changing decisions. I went back into full-time education and started my yoga teacher training simultaneously. It took a while to adjust, but I never look back.
Q Who has helped you?
A I received funding from the Fife Task Force and a start-up grant from Business Gateway Fife. Without both, I simply wouldn’t have been able to get The Yoga Rebellion off the ground. As well as helping me access funding, my adviser pointed me in the right direction when it came to finding a good, reliable web designer. Starting a business can seem like a minefield so knowing Business Gateway is only a phone call away has been reassuring. I should also mention my husband, who has been super supportive. He attends classes and is often the only guy in the room. Hopefully he’ll inspire more men to roll out their mats.
Q What was your biggest mistake?
A Thinking that everyone is dying to try yoga. And not realising there’s quite a bit of paperwork attached to being a teacher.
Q Your greatest achievement?
A Probably my life as it is now. I used to hold a lot of self-limiting beliefs. I left school at 16 with few qualifications, and was convinced I wasn’t academic. I was never interested in sports or anything particularly physical. But here I am, two years into a degree in social sciences and a self-employed yoga teacher.
Q What do you hope to achieve in the future?
A If I can reach out to people and help them overcome their self-doubts, reach their full potential and improve their lives, I’ll be very happy indeed.
Q What is the hardest thing about running your own business?
A Being on my own. I was used to being part of a team, and getting paid a set amount at the end of each month. Running a business is very different. In saying that, it’s great being my own boss and making my own decisions.
