Despite the Credit Crunch, there is no shortage of new businesses taking advantage of the facilities offered by the GRID, a communal workspace funded by Bradford Council, Kickstart programme.
One of the newest members is Gary Blonder, a complementary therapist offering Hypnotherapy, Reiki and Stress Counselling. Gary has had previous careers as a production manager and a schoolteacher before launching his own business. Gary has no regrets launching out on his own. “Our family came into some money and we were able to pay off all our debts, and I used what was left over to re-train as a complementary therapist” says Gary. “It is one of the best decisions I ever made, as now I’m finally doing what I love.”
Gary specialises in helping people with weight loss, giving up smoking, stress anxiety and pain management, and also helps people get over phobias, traumas insomnia, and anger management issues:
“I believe totally in what I do because of what hypnotherapy has done for me” he enthuses. “I was sixteen stone, angry and bitter until I had hypnotherapy myself and now I’m twelve stone with a positive outlook”
In addition to private consultations, Gary offers drop-in “taster” sessions for a nominal fee every Monday afternoon, and leads a free meditation class every Tuesday at 11am.
Gary explains: “People can be a little cautious about complementary therapy, so my Monday drop-in session is an ideal opportunity to just turn up without appointment and give it a go for a fiver, or if they prefer, to just come and have a chat about it free of charge. My Tuesday meditation class is an opportunity to de-stress for free!”
Gary is very determined to be taken seriously as a professional: What I offer is not yet legally regulated, so I made sure I was properly trained. “My qualifications are endorsed by the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the most widely recognised professional organisation of hypnotherapists, and I will soon be joining the Reiki Association. I have also won a page on the BEST OF BRADFORD website, a directory of the best local businesses in Bradford”
Gary has some simple advice for those starting out in business: “Two simple words – get networking” he declares. It is by far the most cost-effective way of getting yourself out there. It is important to build strong relationships with lots of other business people, and as trust builds, I feel confident to refer my clients to their services and vice versa. Everybody wins that way. If a client who comes to me for stress-counselling is after a reliable source of office supplies for example I can put them on to someone risk and stress free!” Gary’s day for standard appointments is Tuesdays at the GRID West, and also makes home visits. He has his own website http://www.garyblonder.co.uk and can be contacted by e-mail at info@garyblonder.co.uk.
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