The Drive: What challenges have you overcome?
For people who are generally in business here in Lower Hutt, they have a fixed location. As a mobile business, locations needed to be found where the landowners will be happy to allow the sessions and programs to take place.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Income fluctuates, and at this foundational stage, there is a lot of administrative work to complete which will pay off in future; such as marketing and promoting Fantail Nature School.
I like the flexibility and the opportunity to pioneer and create a Forest School business in a strategic way. Nobody has ever done before. It allows me the freedom to work with children and their families and educators in the natural environment.
One of the main cons is the weather can get very windy and wet here in Wellington. We want to have suitable clothing available to enable us to be outside during the winter months and some indoor locations for days when sessions outside are not possible.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I tend to dream big! Some of my dreams are to build up a clientele base with loyal returning customers. To have available sessions, programs, day camps and school holiday programs as well as 1-2 employees whom I can mentor and train as Forest School leaders.
I am developing online paid curriculums for educators, teachers and parents to share the ethos of Forest School. I want to train them to run their own sessions and groups and being able to see the learning outcomes for children when they are in natural environments.
Within 3-5 years, I would like to have a full day Forest School and apply for the Westpac growth fund with the trip to the Pacific Islands for a business conference.
Check out more information about The Fantail Nature School at their website and follow them of Facebook.
