ALL women dream about getting married, so it’s surprising to learn that Sian Ajose gave up her big day in favour of starting a new business.
She was so determined to set up her own dance studio, that she put both her wedding and honeymoon on hold, using all the money from her wedding fund to set up her pole dancing fitness studio based in Union Street, Aberdeen.
Using a combination of pole dancing, meditation and yogic practices, Sian adopts a holistic way of teaching – an approach that creates an unusual form of exercise.
Sian said: “Starting up my own business meant that I missed out on a honeymoon and my ideal wedding. The motivation behind my business is that I want to improve women’s self-esteem and body strength.
“Pole dancing is finally losing its stigma and more people are seeing it for what it is – a skilled form of aerobic exercise that tones the muscles and builds up strength and coordination.”
Sian’s dancing career started out in clubs in Edinburgh, where she earned money to pay for lessons in scuba diving rescue and windsurfing instruction.
Now fully qualified in both sports, Sian recognises the importance of health and fitness for both men and women, and welcomes male participants at one-to-one classes and private group sessions.
A variety of other classes are also available for women only, including a six-week course, a pay-as-you-go option and hen parties.
With class attendance going from strength to strength, she has recruited another instructor and is in the process of training another two female teachers.
In addition to the studio’s growing membership, Sian’s entrepreneurial talents are also being recognised in the local business world.
She is one of three finalists in the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year category at this year’s Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise.
The annual awards are organised by Enterprise North East Trust and recognise enterprising businesses and individuals in the north-east of Scotland.
Sian said: “Being named as one of the finalists is a fantastic achievement for me and my business, and means that my peers recognise the hard work and commitment that I have put into running the studio.
“My long-term plan is to establish Scotland’s first pole dancing instructor training centre and with the level of success that has been achieved so far, I am well on the way to making this a reality.”
The winners of the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise will be announced at the awards evening at the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen on Thursday, October 22.
For more information on the awards, visit www. grampianawards.com. Tickets for the black-tie awards event are available at a cost of £90 per guest (plus VAT) or £900 (plus VAT) for a table of 10. The evening begins with a champagne reception at 7pm, with carriages at midnight. Tickets can be booked by calling Samantha Welsh on 01224 289796, or e-mailing samantha. welsh@enetrust.com
For more information visit www.soul-pole.com or email info@soul-pole.com