Michelle has your health and well-being in mind

Nov 17 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

A FORMER manager has started a new business aimed at helping people feel healthier and less stressed.

Michelle Wood, 35 from Hebburn, South Tyneside, has just launched Pure Holistics, in Wylam Street, Jarrow, to provide complementary therapies and her own unique natural products to de-stress and relieve people’s worries and ailments.

Michelle said: “I’ve always wanted to run my own business, I just never imagined that opening a well-being centre would be it.

“Throughout my career I have given 110% commitment, starting my own business now means that I can reap the benefits of this energy developing my business for the future benefit of my family.”

Michelle was a human resources professional and decided to leave work at the start of 2007 to look after her two children Ilana, six, and Keira, three.

“I loved working in human resources and had wanted to work part- time hours but sadly I was unable to as my role involved extensive travel throughout the UK,” she said.

“I then made the difficult decision to put my career on hold and spend some quality time with my family. Having been at home for six months I wanted a new challenge and I looked to do something for myself which did not impact on my new lifestyle. Leaving my post as a human resources manager, gave me the opportunity to pursue new interests.”

Michelle went on a course in holistics at South Shields College to learn how to relax without originally intending to go into business.

“I never thought the course could lead to a potential business idea, but as I gained the knowledge of treatments and saw real changes in people’s well- being, I looked into starting my own business,” she said. “I hope to someday open a complete wellness centre.”

She got advice from Business Link North East, to help Pure Holistics on the road to success. “I would like to personally thank Sue Taylor from Business Link who has been of great assistance and support. Sue gave me practical advice and challenged my business proposition to ensure that I had a robust and viable business idea.” Michelle also received funding towards her marketing strategy and also gained essential business start-up costs from South Tyneside Means Business.

“Holistic treatments are very popular nowadays but where I differ in the field is that I have a professional background in psychotherapeutic coaching techniques from my career in human resources so I can offer the client the full well-being service,” she said.

“Pure Holistics will be offering reflexology, aromatherapy, deep tissue and remedial massage, hot stone therapy, hopi ear candling as well as one to one performance coaching.”

Michelle also makes and sells her own skincare products which are aimed at helping people with complaints ranging from back ache to depression.