Angela Ricards, Purely Bowen

Angela Ricards of Purely Bowen

Angela, 55, is a qualified Bowen massage therapist treating horses, dogs and people to help them with pain relief. She discovered the Bowen Technique as a client, having chronic pain issues herself following a car accident. 

“It wasn’t a light bulb moment, more a growing awareness that this was possibly the way forward to work for myself”, says Angela. The Bowen Technique is a gentle, holistic and non-invasive therapy that promotes healing and pain relief.

Angela was unemployed when she contacted PRIME for help with setting up her business. But she’d already been studying for the professional qualifications needed to become a Bowen therapist while in work – selling homes then working for a major charity. “My working life in the past was a means to an end, to support my greatest love – horses”, says Angela.

Angela read an article about PRIME and decided to get in contact. PRIME told her about the ‘Test Trading’ Scheme, a scheme run by Jobcentre at the time to help people on Jobseekers allowance start-up their own businesses whilst still receiving their benefits until the business was making enough money to fully support the individual. Angela went back to Jobcentre and asked to be put on the scheme. She was assigned a senior advisor specialising in self-employment, who fast-tracked her on to the scheme. She was appointed a mentor who visited her every two weeks to ensure she had a business plan, advise her on marketing and ensure that she still received her benefits.

“I had never written a business plan before. From information on the PRIME Website and other sources of online help and support from my mentor, I managed to complete a Plan, which I still refer to now.”

Angela’s practice, Purely Bowen, continues to grow. She now has a website, www.purelybowen.co.uk.The unique selling point of the business is she is qualified to treat people, dogs and horses. There are less than twenty Bowen therapists in the whole UK qualified in all three modalities. She regularly keeps up to date with current information and developments in human, dog and horse health and attends seminars, training sessions and workshops.

“My advice to other potential Olderpreneurs is, don’t give up,  keep your focus and be prepared to find doors opening for you that you had never known to exist”.

 “Had it not been for PRIME’s help, I would not be the happy Olderpreneur that I am now. The written information pack was great – really made me feel supported, and I used the website many times.”