It’s not falling down that counts but getting back up is a phrase used by Yorkshire business owner Iwona Michalska for both her clients and her business.
Back in March 2020 Iwona, a York St John University graduate who was born in Poland but has made York her home, was putting the finishing touches to her new business, ready for a grand launch. TRTrehab Studio provides a therapeutic space, with a mission to use clinical knowledge and innovation to help people in pain recover for good.
However, the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown imposed on 23 Mar 2020 very nearly caused the end of the business before it had even begun. Excluded from grants, loans and other forms of support Iwona had to rely on her personal resilience and determination to keep things afloat. Her work involves helping adults in pain feel stronger and fitter by massage rehabilitation exercises and mindset training, now the same was required for her business.
By the end of that week TRTrehab had moved its therapy sessions online, including stroke rehabilitation. "This was a challenging time for all but as it turned out, very rewarding too" says Iwona. She started solo with one-to-one video sessions, group video classes, motivational social media entertainment and weekly podcast with guests. Her faith and hard work paid off.
Two years on the business is thriving, Iwona has been joined by a business partner, squash coach Marie Elcock. She draws on her own understanding of pain to help people recover, through fitness, massage and rehabilitation exercises as well as group training and walking. In March this year they were finalists at the FSB Yorkshire & Humber Awards in the Community Award category. Although they lost out to ImageCoPrint the experience has had further benefits.
Iwona & Marie were very impressed with their experience of entering the awards.
Iwona said: “We were over the moon to reach the final and very impressed with the care, organisation and kindness of everyone associated with the FSB, we decided to explore membership."
It was their good fortune this coincided with an expansion of the existing FSB membership scheme which has been operated by Hambleton District Council for over five years. The available discount is now £130, further details available from FSB Membership Advsior, Adam Guttridge.