So why New Brighton?

Short story: The New Brighton Community! I had never felt part of a group so quickly…

Longer Story: Over the Summer of 2023, i was invited to join a friend at a few Beach Boxing sessions on the seafront of New Brighton. They took place on some gorgeous Friday mornings at 7:15. Run by an ex-Professional Thai Boxer, we work up to some fun punching and kicking sequences to some cheesy music (imagine the Eye of The Tiger at 7am) and then bring in some tai-chi sequences to calm and centre ourselves before coffee. In truth, we probably spend longer having a coffee and a natter than we do exercising but that means our body, mind AND soul all leave happy.

After one morning’s session of connecting with the other members, I felt so calm and content as I looked out over the Mersey. The morning sun was still giving off it’s beautiful colours and I exhaled deeply and thought to myself “i REALLY could live here”. 

Looking back I had felt that thought with every fibre of my being and I since remembered that is the key to ‘The Law of Attraction’.

I then carried on walking down the promenade to meet my friend who had moved back to New Brighton a year previously. During our catch-up chat, she told me she was looking for a tenant when her son went back to university in September. I was flabbergasted. But when the huge smile spread across my face, we both realised the Universe had listened. So I pretty much snatched her hand off. Call it intuition or call it ADHD impulsivity… either way it just felt RIGHT!. I had always wanted to live by the beach so why wait til I retire?

How did it go?

We decided on an October moving date so a couple of months would be plenty of time to get myself sorted, right? Wrong.

Combination of:

• ADHD and Perimenopause messing with my brain and energy levels,
• a full timetable of pet sitting jobs where i wasn’t even at my own house and
• downsizing from a house to a room so certain things like furniture had to be virtually given away.

Stress just kept adding to more stress.

Add to that: picking up 1 thing to find another 10 things hidden behind it!!! How much “stuff” had i accrued in my time there? (Friends have said this has happened to them when they’ve moved to, so i feel less stupid than i’ve been telling myself!). Thankfully I had friends around me to offer emotional support and give me extra time when i needed it.

I can safely say that now I am moved into my friend’s room. I have everything I need and can hibernate safely with my admin work or TV or a good book when I need (I’m currently reading Taz Thornton’s “Unleash Your Awesome” edition 2… its epic!) whilst listening to the seagulls outside the window. Plus my friend’s Cockerpoo Vinnie often greets me with a waggy tail and his toy when i return home.

How am i marketing my move?

The only thing that worried me was that I had no clients around New Brighton. But then again, i had very few around the Warrington area after living there for 2 years. Therefore, i thought it might be the opportunity i need to introduce myself to local Vets and focus my marketing just in this locality rather than spreading myself across Cheshire. My skills are best suited to reducing the pain in more clients rather than spending most of my days in the car.

• Leaflets are now complete (with the help of my Designer friend Dave Bradburn from Opus Creative). I have been handing these out to dog-friendly businesses in the area and Owners on New Brighton beach. So many have been warm and welcoming. 
• Plus my Social media team at EXP Blueprint have helped me craft some “New Brighton Introduction” posts and worked on the SEO to get me seen by those who need me in my new area.
• Networking too, i love chatting to Dog Businesses and Dog Owners in every capacity. Just by reading this, you are helping me get the word out about Canine Massage. So thank you if you have gotten this far.

So if you know a dog on the Wirral Peninsula then I would love you to introduce me. Even if their dog is not showing any signs of discomfort yet.

I would rather dog owners know me and not need me, rather than need me and not know me.

What will happen to current customers across Cheshire?

Don’t Worry, I plan to devote certain days to travelling farther afield. This way i can treat those Dogs and Owners who need my services.

I still have the pleasure of treating existing clients in Whitegate, Northwich, Knutsford, Warrington and Brown Knowl. So if you live across Cheshire and want to split Travel costs then I am definitely up for negotiation. 

Do you work from 9-5 and struggle with daytime appointment times? I used to be the same in my previous career so I understand. This is why I am open to doing evening and weekend appointments. So please get in touch if this is you. If we can work something to suit both our schedules then it’s #WinFreakinWin.

Am I going to miss Warrington?

Yes of course, having the City Centre on my doorstep was really handy. And great for escapism whenever i needed a coffee and a wander. But obviously I can do that anywhere and I have already found a few little shops around New Brighton. I’ve found many Dog-Friendly places too (including Tallulah’s Emporium where I met my first Westie-poo and have adopted this bar as my “local” even though it’s a mile away from where i live. The atmosphere is really welcoming and their Sharing Boards go REALLY well with their House Red!). I even went to my first ever Wreath Making workshop at Violets Flowers and Gifts. One could say i’m working on my Life-Work Balance so that i have more energy to give my clients.

Plus the move ties in nicely, because my previous house reminded me of some devastating news in 2021. It was where I found out my Rottweiler (and soul-dog) Lola was terminal (Spleen Tumour that had gone undetected til it burst) and so I recently realised there was a lot of grief in that Warrington house. Don’t worry though, I still love talking about her to EVERYONE i meet. She taught me so much and is instrumental in me now working with dogs.

So, I bring Lola with me in my heart and am really optimisic for this new phase in my Life as well as my Clinical Canine Massage Business.

Update in May 2025:

I have made so many connections in this past 18 months whilst living on the Wirral and proud to be collaborating with local Dog Walkers, Groomers, Pet Shops, Dog Friendly Cafes etc. who have gladly taken in my new leaflets to give to their customers.

I am also spending most Wednesday’s at The Dog’s Diner carrying out Muscular MOT’s and the odd massage.

Watch this space for news on future collaborations and please get in touch if we haven’t connected yet. I may work with Dogs but i don’t bite 🙂