Ritu came to the UK in the Summer 2022 from India with her son on a spouse visa as her husband had secured a job in Bradford. She left her job as an engineer and took her son out of the top ten schools in India to make the move to the UK. As well as her engineering career in India, Ritu also worked as a yoga instructor.

She arrived in the UK in July 2022, shortly after visiting Impact Hub Bradford, with her young son, to start the process of setting up a business, wanting to startup her new working life in Britain. The most significant opportunity was to work directly with a talented coach who has experience of coaching entrepreneurs and also running their own enterprise.

Build Your Business Supported me with: market research, pricing strategy, business planning, bookkeeping, legal structures, marketing and insurance. In addition, I had some help in applying for a National Insurance number, so complex, it took five hours! I also had some support in finding a job, including pointers for my CV, guidance on recruitment agencies and a referral to Inspired Neighbourhoods for employment support. Within two months I managed to register as self-employed and started offering my classes, in organisations such as Morrisons, JD Gym, Unique Fitness and the Karmand Centre.

I’m hoping to increase the number of online classes and run more sessions digitally. I’m also hoping to deliver more yoga classes at corporate retreats and events.

I am inspired by my business enterprise coach, Imran Hussain and Raja Khaliq, a community employment coach at the Karmand Centre.