Relaxation therapy is now just the business

EQUINE: Former groom Nikki Murray branches out to treat horses and people

Q: How and why did you start in business?

I am passionate about the EMMETT technique, which is a unique form of body relaxation therapy for both people and animals involving the application of light finger pressure at specific points.

I was blown away by how quick and effective the technique is and so became a self-employed therapist for people and horses.

Horses and dogs are very responsive to EMMETT. They are so honest and just accept it for what it is with no scepticism.

Q: How did you get to where you are today?

I have always loved horses, for as long as I can remember, and when I left school I trained to become a British Horse Society riding instructor and worked as a groom for a number of years. Unfortunately, in the equine industry you work incredibly hard for not very much money and the older I got the harder it became so, much to my disappointment, I had to stop working with horses.

Life went in many other directions, one of them being training in massage therapy and reflexology.

After that it was a natural progression to start training in the EMMETT technique for people and then for horses.

After training in the technique for over four years, I am now an advanced EMMETT technique practitioner.

Q: Who has helped you along the way?

Family and fellow EMMETT practitioners and instructors. Community-based enterprise support organisation GrowBiz Perthshire has been a great support, too, providing free training, advice and networking opportunities with other small businesses in the area.

Q: What is your biggest achievement to date?

Being asked by EMMETT UK and Ireland to be an EMMETT4Horses Instructor for Scotland.

Q: What do you hope to achieve in the future?

To introduce as many people as possible in Scotland to the EMMETT Technique so that they or their animals benefit from this non-invasive, gentle but amazingly effective therapy.

I also teach people to learn the technique for themselves on the-one day courses, EMM-Tech (easy muscle management) for people and the EMMETT4Horses short course for horse owners.

The EMMETT technique is also wonderful for dogs, so I’d like to start training for that this year and be able to treat dogs as well.

Q: Do you want to recruit in the future?

No, not recruit, just enable others to become EMMETT technique equine practitioners so they can forge a career in the equine industry if they wish.

Q: What is the hardest thing about running your own business?

I am not naturally a confident person and sometimes a lack of self-belief can be a challenge.

Also, as not many people have heard of the EMMETT technique that in itself can be difficult, but word is spreading.

Q: Any advice to wannabe entrepreneurs?

Stay focused, don’t be put off by any negativity you may receive along the way and don’t be too hard on yourself.

Picture: Kelly McIntyre. Nikki Murray, from Bridge of Cally, turned her previous experience with horses into a thriving business.