Raring2Go! Stockton
With people leading such busy lifestyles nowadays, coupled with the pressures of family life, at times everything becomes a real balancing act. However, for Alison Nelson - who runs the Stockton-On-Tees Raring2go! - she has found that Raring2go! provides her with that perfect work/life balance.
"Having two children is a full time job in itself, but working as well, can be a real strain, so when I came across Raring2go! it just ticked all the right boxes," says Alison.
Before Raring2go! Alison was teaching Food Technology and before that worked in marketing.
"Because of Raring2go! I am able to spend more time with my children as well as do my work. Infact, it defiantly helps to have children, as this puts you in contact with other parents straight away, who after all are my target audience - so it's great!"
"I get some lovely feedback from both schools and parents about how much they like the magazine, it's proving very popular!"
Indeed it is, last year Alison was invited onto BBC Tees to discuss her Raring2go! venture, and is also picking up a lot of interest from prospective advertisers as well as other schools in the area who are not yet on her distribution list.
"People are generally interested in what I do, and I think this just shows what a great product Raring2go! really is. I enjoy it, plus I get to use my marketing experience that I gained through past employment, as well as keeping in touch with the world of education."
Alison started her Raring2go! business back in April of last year, and since then has built an advertiser base of nearly 50. Her magazine is sent out to a circulation of 15,000. Alison is looking to increase the number of pages, copies and advertisers during the next 12 months.
"It is hard work, but I think if you set your goals early on, and aim for these then anything can be achieved. The work/life balance is a real bonus, and you do get to meet some interesting people, there is never a dull day!"
Want to find out more?