Around the world it is agreed entrepreneurship matters, this is the\ndriving force behind a strong business environment. Having an entrepreneurial\nmindset brings creative solutions to problem solving, increased leadership\nskills and empowers not only the people involved but also the next generation.\nThese enterprises created significantly boost the economy and importantly enhance\nthe perception of what it means to be in business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diversity in business encourages entrepreneurship a fact supported by an\nincreasing number of successful women in business, using their passions, skills,\nand determination to be great examples of what it means to be successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In West Lothian, Scotland we recognize that there are many strong women\nin business who are great role models for the next generation. Joanne Tod is a\nprime example of identifying a gap in the market taking your passion and\ncreativity to develop a business model that has the capacity for growth. Joanne was the winner of the prestigious Shona\nSibbald Woman in Business Award Sponsored by Sibbald Training <\/strong> at the Business Excellence Awards<\/strong>\nhosted by West Lothian Chamber of Commerce in 2017 for her contribution and\ncommitment to the local business community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A professional\ndancer Joanne Tod<\/strong> established her JHM Dance Academy<\/strong> in 2003,\nbringing quality and affordable dance instruction to West Lothian. Joanne\u2019s\nvision is to offer full and part time vocational training for aspiring dancers\nto train and gain accreditations through further education with Scottish\nQualifications Authority. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Joanne\nhas developed a team of highly qualified dance instructors, including at RAD\nlevel, to offer classes for all age groups – from nursery school, to high\nschool, to adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking\nher own passion for dance and stepping into education she has created a gateway\nfor all ages and experience to the world of dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n JHM\nDance started off small teaching around 20 children in a local church hall, but\nas the academy\u2019s reputation built so did demand and the need for more space, so\nanother studio was opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As\nthe business continued to grow Joanne took on a 3-month renovation project of a\nformer bingo hall in Broxburn, bringing together her previous studios and\ncreating one new purpose-built facility for dance, including fully equipped\nsprung floor for the aspiring gymnasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By\noffering a varied timetable of classes for both children and adults, alongside a\ncompetitive pricing structure, encouraged pupils to study many different forms\nof dance on a weekly basis. This popular\ncombination of class choices and pricing provided a competitive advantage for\nJHM, a strategic decision which proved to be extremely successful in promoting\nthe dance studio, as is the location in the town centre making it very visible\nto passing trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joanne\nand her staff\u2019s passion for, and love of, dance has not only created a truly\nsuccessful business but is also an inspiration to young and old alike to enjoy\ndance, movement, and music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joanne\nis not only passionate about her business but has been heavily involved in a\nlocal charity, Friends of Chernobyl\u2019s Children West Lothian, which strives to\nimprove the health, living conditions and social outlook of deprived children\nfrom Belarus whose lives have been affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear\ndisaster. Each summer Joanne welcomes a child into her home to have a respite\nfrom their home countries condition, allowing them to enjoy a range of\nactivities here in Scotland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Joanne\nis proof that if you have passion and drive you can succeed\u2026. she is a true\nrole model for others. As quoted by JHM \u2018Nobody cares if you can\u2019t dance\nwell. Just get up and dance.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n To learn more about Joanne\u2019s story, click here<\/a> to view her Shona Sibbald Woman In Business Winner Video. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n