In 2006 the Suzy Gardner Swim School was launched, teaching swimming lessons to children age 3 and upwards. In 2009, Suzy qualified to teach Baby/ Toddler classes and started to teach parent and baby sessions. She also completed a course in teaching Adults to accommodate a demand for adult lessons.  Today, Suzy has over 130 pupils at her Swim School, which is located in the Midlands area in the heart of the UK.

Personally, Suzy tries to set herself little challenges to stay active and motivated. Recent achievements are completing the 3 Peak Challenge UK and running the London Marathon. The next challenge will be walking Hadrian’s Wall with a close friend who has recently beaten cancer. 

Suzy, tell us about your business and why you made the change from working in a corporate environment to setting up your own business?

Whilst on maternity leave with my second child Izzy, I started to think about my return to work, in Project Management for the Build Team of a mobile phone company. My children had now become my priority and I wanted to have ‘that’ job that would fit around my young family. ’How about a career change’ my husband suggested one day. It didn’t take long for me to make the decision to re-train as a swimming instructor. I loved swimming and had been a keen competitive swimmer as a child/teenager, so it seemed like the perfect job for me! Within 3 years, I had gained all my qualifications to teach swimming, worked for a local swim school to gain experience, we had built our own pool and the Suzy Gardner Swim School was launched. For me, setting up my own business was the best decision ever! I feel very passionate about all children learning to swim, as it is a vital life skill.

How do you juggle running a business and being a Mum of 3?

Juggling personal and professional commitments is not an easy task, but you get better at it with time! I have to be very organised. Having 3 active children: Tom(17), Izzy (15) and Lottie (10) means that there is a lot of planning required to ensure that everything (help with homework, clean kit, food, transport, moral support) is in place, so that life runs smoothly. I am also fortunate that my husband and my Mum are always at hand to help out with the children, getting them from school to their sporting fixtures when I am working.

Exercise is a big part of your week – how does this affect people’s mindset and why should they incorporate?

Doing regular exercise has so many benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing and it should incorporated in our lives as much as possible. As well as the known physical benefits, exercise can also make you feel happier and more positive. It can increase your energy levels and help with relaxation and sleep quality. Exercise can therefore play a huge part in enabling a person to have a positive mindset, allowing them to embrace the idea that they can succeed. It is such an important and enriching part of life.

Can you share your top three tips to success?

1. Love what you do, that’s what will drive your business.
2. Take time to plan & set goals.
3. Be kind & patient.

And what’s next on the agenda for Suzy Gardner?

I will continue to develop my business, particularly Adult swimming.

I am preparing to complete a course in Understanding Autism and its relationship with swimming.

I am also considering recruiting an instructor so that I can continue growing my business.

Favourite place that you have visited?

I visited Sri Lanka in 2016 and fell in love with the island. Stunning beaches, ancient culture, beautiful people, amazing food, I could go on!

Do you have a mantra that you live by?

Life is short, so do things that make you happy!

Who would you most like to meet and why?

Serena Williams.  Not only is she an incredible tennis player, she is also one of the most influential female athletes of recent times. She has raised the profile hugely of women in sport and is also a fierce advocate for women’s rights and empowerment.