ST HELENS is full of small, independent businesses and shops.
Our Business of the Week features give owners and managers the chance to shine a spotlight on their business and showcase their products.
In 2023, we’ve heard from seven St Helens business owners and they’ve shared their career journeys, passion for their work and their hopes for 2024.
If you would like to appear in one of our Business of the Week features, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk
Len Rainford - The Franchise Specialist
The Franchise Specialist
Len Rainford specialises in franchises – helping people expand their business and assisting others who want to branch out in an already successful market.
As Len says, the name of his business – The Franchise Specialist – explains exactly what he does and he implements a tried and tested ‘Seven Step Strategy’ to achieve the best for all parties involved.
Len shares his business knowledge and how he hopes to help new entrepreneurs take their first step in 2023.
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The businessman providing a helping hand for new entrepreneurs
Eccleston Park Hynotherapy
Eccleston Park Hypnotherapy
Having spent 14 years working as a police officer and struggling with mental health issues, Chris O’Connor knew he needed help.
He tried different forms of therapy with little success and it wasn’t until he started solution focused hypnotherapy that he felt like he was making progress.
He was so impressed with the treatment that he decided to become a clinical hypnotherapist and psychotherapist himself.
Chris tells us about the service he offers and how he can help people from all walks of life.
READ MORE:
Fears, phobias, depression and anxiety – hypnotherapist has it covered
The Physio Lounge
The Physio Lounge
With six clinics across the north west, The Physio Lounge has been making all the right moves in the business world over the past ten years.
Craig and Lorraine Lea try to improve the lives of their patients at their family-run physiotherapy company, which has its head office in Warrington and two other practices in the town – one at David Lloyd Warrington and one at United Utilities at Lingley Mere.
Clinical director Craig and operational director Lorraine tell us how they often meet clients at the start of their journey to recovery, supporting them as they strive to improve their quality of life.
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Bespoke physio journeys providing light at the end of the tunnel
FRAN Harrop has been entertaining babies, toddlers and their parents for nearly three decades with the help of Jo Jingles.
She’s even got customers returning to her classes with the smallest members of their families having sung and danced with Fran during their own formative years.
Fran tells us how the classes help babies’ and toddlers’ development, fostering a lifelong love of music, song and dance.
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Fran and Jo Jingles have been entertaining children for three decades
Kaleidsccpe Records
Kaleidoscope Records
With visitors from Europe and South America, it's easy to see why Kaleidoscope Records is so popular with customers.
Gregory Duggins will be celebrating 40 years of selling music in 2024, after he opened the shop in St Helens in 1984.
Gregory shares with us his love of music – which is still going strong after nearly four decades in the business – and the shop’s plans for this year’s Record Store Day.
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Music shop hits all the right notes with customers at home and abroad
Prinny's Fitness
Prinny’s Fitness
Would you like to train with a former Team GB athlete?
Kim Lyon has competed as a gymnast at the Commonwealth Games and Junior Olympics so she knows a thing or two about fitness and staying healthy.
She opened Prinny’s Fitness on Longton Lane in Rainhill about five years ago, helping women with their health and wellbeing as well children’s fitness.
Kim Lyon tells us about opening her own business above her sister’s salon and how much she looks forward to going to work each day.
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Former Team GB gymnast offers personal training and coaching at Rainhill studio
Les Petits Pois Fun French
Les Petits Pois Fun French
Andrea Baker has been sharing her love for the French language since she left school.
Hundreds of children and their families in Warrington, St Helens and Wigan have learnt to speak a second language thanks to her fun French classes for babies, toddlers and pre schoolers and during lockdown she was inspiring people living on the other side of the world to learn a foreign language.
Andrea tells us how she launched Les Petits Pois Fun French eight years ago and why learning a second language is so important, especially at a young age.
READ MORE:
Parlez-vous français? Fun French classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers
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