Name of Business
Melanie Pollard - Wellbeing & Menopause Coach
Who are you?
I'm Melanie (or Mel!) Pollard
What sets you apart from the competition?
I'm a certified Menopause Support Coach and I've got lived experience of the menopause so can help clients from an empathetic viewpoint.
How did the business come about?
I struggled with my own symptoms of menopause and actually had to leave my job as a result. I knew that then I had to help other women going through what I'd been through. I want to help career women to stay in their jobs by making their working lives easier for this period of perimenopause, which can last up to 10 years! It will also help business owners from losing their valuable employees and help them to reduce staff sick days and staff turnover for female employees in their 40s and 50s.
What are your main target markets?
I'm looking to help any women struggling with their symptoms. But also, all businesses in the North West who have female employees!
How long has your business been in existence?
I'm brand new! Just setting up and raring to go.
How many staff do you employ?
There's just me at the moment.
What job or achievement makes you most proud?
Raising my 3 children and being a mum makes me proud. Also, overcoming my own anxiety and gaining the confidence to get out into the business world!
Where do you see the business being in five years?
I would hope I'll be delivering regular workshops to businesses all around the northwest about menopause awareness, and working with companies to develop their menopause policies, as well as having a large client base of ladies that I work with one on one.
Tell us one interesting thing about the business that might surprise us?
Although it's early days for the business, I've already been asked by several men if I could run a workshop on menopause specifically for men, to help them understand what their wives/partners are going through! So...watch this space!
Tell us one interesting thing about you that people might not know? (ie, hobbies, amusing fact, etc)
I am a member of a local amateur theatre group and regularly perform with them! (I'm not the best, but I have a go!) I also volunteer as treasurer for that society, and I volunteer as treasurer for a youth musical theatre group in Warrington too!
Fantasy dinner party – which six people alive or dead would you invite?
Davina McCall, Cameron Mackintosh, Tim Minchin, Adam Hills, Greta Thunberg, Michelle Obama