City centre businesses are currently facing tough challenges due to the pressures of LEZ regulations, bus gates, parking charges, and the ever-changing ScotRail timetable. Yet, clients like the tenacious Elizabeth Bandeen continue to adapt and thrive. This latest client spotlight shares how Elizabeth turned redundancy into an opportunity, launching a successful career in massage therapy with support from the Job Centre and self-employment courses. An inspiring story of resilience and reinvention.
By showcasing her story, we hope to inspire others and demonstrate the diverse range of businesses we proudly support. So let’s get started and ask Elizabeth questions about working life in Glasgow and how to remain resilient and match fit for life.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in your industry?
I’ll try to keep it short, here we go!: My background is HR and training/restaurant management. The financial upheaval of 2008/9 meant that my role was made redundant which at the age of 40 was MORE than a challenge. I was getting knock-backs from everything that I applied for, and after 7 weeks out of work it was driving me mad. I had previously done my Swedish Massage Diploma but I had just used it volunteering at race events and charity work, then I had an idea to go self-employed, and give it a go. It worked. The Job Centre was astonishing with the level of support I got. Redundancy meant that I was eligible for a lot of help and got sent on courses from marketing to forecasting. It was invaluable.
What motivates you to keep pushing forward in your career/business?
I feel like I am doing the job I should be doing, it really is as easy as that. I feel like I basically reinvented myself at 40 at a time when women can feel invisible in their career.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Two big things stand out. The most obvious being just the ability to help a person feel better in themselves and diminish pain or discomfort. The second one is when a client visits and if I was recommended to them. I never take that for granted.
What has been your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?
2020/21 was pretty devastating and the most obvious. The close contact industry was shut for about 9 months during that time. I was really concerned that clients wouldn’t want to come back in when we opened back up, but when the dates were announced for my industry, my phone was literally jumping out of my hand with all the emails coming in with clients booking in. It was lovely to know that clients trusted our processes to make them feel safe and secure about visiting.
Elizabeth said: “For nearly a decade, Simon has been more than just an accountant—he’s been an indispensable part of my business journey. From the early days at Murrison and Wilson to now at Ammu, Simon’s expertise and unwavering support have been invaluable.”
Can you share a particular success story that stands out to you?
Without breaking GDPR? Em… A piano player/musical director cricked his neck, and there was talk of him not being able to perform. I got a phone call and hot footed it up to the OVO Hydro here in Glasgow. I have put extra study into head and neck pain and got it to ease off. I then got asked if I would like to stay for the show, and a Gothenburg Great (I’m a Dandy Dons fan COYR) was my concert companion. That was quite a moment. There was another time a pregnant lady came to visit really upset and was walking with difficulty. I knew how to look after her because of my training and afterwards she was dumbfounded as to how I managed to all but ease it off. I won’t go into all the anatomy but it was muscles in her legs in spasm. It’s all about restoring confidence in movement.
How do you stay ahead of trends in your industry?
I only do for clients what I love being done for myself. As I get older, I seek out different things like facial massage and reflexology, so the treatments that I am a fan of transfer over to the treatment room.
What are your future goals for your business/career?
A 2020 skill that I developed when I wasn’t in clinic was making my own body butters and foot creams. I have great ideas for more products and just to develop the skills for label making! It’s astonishing how being self employed means learning all these new digital skills/marketing/networking it’s a non exhaustive list. I am 55 as I mentioned before, and during 2020 I wrote a book that is like a podcast in your pocket on reducing stress through menopause. I do not gatekeep valuable information and I would like to do more about getting that message out there to more people. Just give me soapbox!
How do you balance your professional and personal life?
I have stepping stones in the diary for the year, and always cultivate spending time with good friends and my family. It is difficult switching off from being self-employed. I feel like a meteorologist. I’m always on the lookout. Sometimes a good idea can creep up on me when I least expect it. I’m not really one for planning two whole weeks off for a holiday, I’m such a fan of a mini break and plan in at least 4/5 a year, whether it’s the North East Riviera (Aberdeen), or abroad. I have got two friends in particular who are amazing at starting the whats app group chat of ‘I’ve organised this… who’s in’. Another thing that keeps me grounded is, for the last 4 months or so, I have set my alarm earlier and do 20 mins of yoga in the morning. Any exercise I can do in my jammies, marvellous. If I skip doing the yoga I literally feel like the Tin Man first thing in the morning. Getting older is GREAT but there is a responsibility to keep myself match fit for life. It’s great for my mental health too, I find.
Who has been your biggest inspiration or business mentor?
Ooh crikey there are a few. Simon Murrison as I have mentioned before for mentoring, the same with my colleague Trevor Chisman. I’ve worked next to Trevor for 13 years now. Business coaching: I am incredibly lucky to have worked with Kirsty Mac, and Cat Paterson and I am even more lucky to count them as friends. Thea Newcombe is the one who taught me how to use Canva and helped me format my book. Tammy Koslovski who owns the Naf! nail studio is just a business trail blazer, as is Sacha Cianco another amazing salon owner.It really does take a village.
Elizabeth added: “As a sole trader operating as an Ltd, having someone like Simon in the background gives me the confidence that nothing is overlooked. I consider him an invisible partner, always ensuring my business runs smoothly. The rest of the Ammu team has been equally exceptional, with special thanks to Jamie for his patient guidance in mastering Xero.”