TWO Kidderminster women who, for years, practised holistic therapy “almost as a hobby” have taken the plunge and set up their own business on a full-time basis.

Renee Clarke and Donna Davis have entered their AMBA Therapies LLP in our Business Idol competition, aimed at finding the most enterprising and imaginative new companies with a £1,000 prize for the winner.

Renee said: “After working with clients on a part-time basis, it came to light that many were experiencing stress and tension from their business environment, so we decided to set up AMBA to specialise in on-site massage.

“The massage is done through the clothes, using a specially designed ergonomic chair. There is no undressing and no oils are required and the results are impressive.

“The ultimate aim is to address stress and muscular skeletal issues in staff. This reduces the company’s costs in cutting down on sickness absence and staff turnover.”

Renee and Donna are equal partners in the business and they are delighted with the response so far.

“We offer a unique service in this part of the world, though it is available in London,” said Renee.

“We have already forged links with West Mercia Constabulary, Worcestershire and Warwick-shire county councils and two NHS trusts but we need to get better known.

“If we won Business Idol, we would spend the £1,000 on marketing, hopefully with a health and wellbeing exhibition.”

COMPETITION

Business Idol is being run by the Kidderminster-based Big Breakfast Club in association with The Shuttle.

The first Idol competition, staged last year, was such a success that this year it has been extended to include the Stourbridge area, with reports appearing in our sister paper, the Stourbridge News.

Entrants will also have the benefit of being mentioned on the two newspapers’ respective websites.

As well as the chance to win the cash, the winner will receive a year’s free membership of the Breakfast Club and be offered business advice reckoned to be worth over £2,500.

Runners-up at a grand final to be held in the summer will receive three months’ membership.

The club are a group of business men and women who meet at 7am every Tuesday at La Brasserie, Kidderminster, to swap ideas, contacts and contracts, while enjoying a good breakfast.

There are no joining fees, no paid staff and they find that their relaxed approach works better than many larger and more anonymous breakfast clubs. New members are welcome. If you are interested in joining, call David Chill, on 01905 776 730.