January is a bit of a celebration month for me, although I fully appreciate it can be a challenging one too (and that’s without the current situation!).
On 15th January 2015 I left my mainstream job, taking voluntary redundancy, totally not knowing what I was going to do with the remainder of my working life. Looking back, perhaps it was quite a risk; I’m sure some people thought I was a bit crazy, whilst others possibly a bit brave.
The plan was to have 6 months off and decide what I wanted to do. After a few months of relaxing and doing the things I wanted to do (bliss), I put into Google “Jobs that make you happy”. Five jobs came up, one of which was Beautician. I’d always enjoyed having treatments myself in the past and wondered if it was something I could do.
Apparently I was too old for full time study at the local college (I’ve since been informed this was wrong). Thankfully I sourced a private provider whose philosophy I liked the sound of. So, I signed up and started 3 weeks later!
As I had the time, I studied full time and passed my Level 2 VTCT Beauty Therapy qualification in August 2015. I quickly went on to train and qualified in VTCT Level 3 Swedish Massage. Gaining a job as a therapist in a local Spa and Hospice, a few months after obtaining these qualifications, gave me just the experience I needed.
Later I would embark on my City & Guilds Level 3 Complementary Therapy training (Massage, Reflexology & Aromatherapy) and latterly Sharon Wheeler’s ScarWork (a relatively new therapy treating scars and burns). I have organically grown into a Complementary Therapist which I love. The industry I am now in has so much to offer and I am continually learning. It’s one of the reasons I am so passionate about it.
So although I love to celebrate each year I have in business, it’s also quite poignant for me when January comes round, that I realise what a massive risk I took. Am I grateful – absolutely. Do I feel lucky – 100%. Despite all the challenges learning new skills and setting up and growing a business has brought me, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I am excited about the future and, once it is safe and I can return to treatments, have many ideas and plans I want to put into place. How great is that!
Many thanks for reading.
Stay safe
If you have any queries, questions or comments or want to know anything about any of the therapies I have mentioned in this article, please do get in touch. Either in the comments section of this blog, via the contact form on the website or by e-mail at sarah@sarahbutlertherapies.co.uk or phone me on 07895 431784. Its always lovely to hear from you.