Cumbernauld woman starts new career after being made redundant

Amanda Johnston is the latest entrepreneur formed at the Peter Jones Academy at Stow College in Glasgow.

The unique programme led by Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones CBE has allowed Amanda to develop her own Tae Kwon Do classes.

The 26-year-old was made redundant from her post as an administration officer, and it was the same day the she heard about the academy.

Amanda said: “I wanted to go back to studying in further education and had decided that I wanted to do a degree in business. However, since I was told about the course the same day as my redundancy, it felt like I was meant to choose this course instead.

“The Peter Jones Enterprise course is amazing. It is full of so many different and relevant classes as well as having ‘Enterprise Wednesdays’ –a weekly event when guest speakers visit us to talk about their own experiences. The course is here to help us, not only with our own businesses, but it also teaches us how we can apply what we are learning if we were to go and work for someone else.”

As part of the BTEC Level 3 diploma in enterprise and entrepreneurship, the students in the academy are required to create their own micro business. Tae Kwon Tots is the name of Amanda’s business venture which aims to provide Tae Kwon Do classes for kids aged between two and four years old.

Explaining what her company is about, Amanda said: “I have changed a traditional syllabus to make it a non-contact class that focuses on the basics of Tae Kwon Do but, more importantly, it focuses on children learning valuable core skills and confidence.

“The reason why I chose to do this is because I have a background in Tae Kwon Do and plan on using Tae Kwon Do as the start of my fitness centre. My business is nearly ready to go; all I have to do is get class times organised and buy supplies including mats and kicking targets.

“Looking forward, I plan to have my micro business up and running which will hopefully then lead to me opening and running my own fitness centre.”

For more information and to find out how to apply for the course please call Stow College on 0844 249 8585