5 minutes with Rockpool School

We sat down with June’s Business of the Month, Nicola Everitt of Rockpool School to find out a little bit more about the business…

What does your business do / offer?

We provide workshops to various groups which include schools, additional needs groups, scout and girl guiding groups, birthday parties and general workshops for all. Children can meet and learn about our rockpool friends in a safe environment and create marine related crafts. Basically have a fun time, learn and mix with others with a similar passion.

What made you set up on your own?

Rockpool School was created after realising as a young child there was not much on offer which quenched my thirst to learn about and explore the marine environment.

I therefore made it my mission to study the marine environment my whole life up to PhD studies. I was determined to do this so I could pass on my knowledge to children with a similar passion in a fun way.

What have you found the biggest challenge to date?

I love and thrive on challenges so it is when I am at my happiest; however the initial stages of Rockpool School were tough when I was building up our profile. I did this alongside working part time however, therefore by the time I did ‘go for it’ we were established a little bit so not as scary as it could have been!

What do you find most rewarding about your business?

The most rewarding part of Rockpool School is not only seeing what the children get out of our workshops, the smiles on their faces, and also how much they have learnt without even noticing it as they have had so much fun but the support we receive from our Rockpool School parents.

It is overwhelming how much we receive and to be honest if this was not the case Rockpool School would not be where it is. We appreciate our Rockpool School families so much and winning business of the month was for them as much as it was for us.

It is also amazing to show children that if they have a dream go for it, never give up on your dreams.

What makes North Tyneside a good place to run a business?

North Tyneside is an amazing place to run a business. Not only have we received so much support from The Business Factory, but we have such an amazing network of small local businesses that support each other so much, no matter what the business.

We have met some fabulous business and work alongside quite a few of them. Of course we have a fabulous coast and marine animals!!! We are very lucky to live in North Tyneside.

What one piece of advice would you offer to somebody looking to set out in business?

Follow your heart!!!

For more information about Rockpool School, pop over to their Facebook Page

Read the Chronicle article on Rockpool School in the Chronicle.


Want to nominate yourself or others for North Tyneside Business of the Month?  Here’s how…

In no more than 280 characters, let us know about the North Tyneside business you would like to nominate as North Tyneside Business of the Month using the hashtag #NTCBiz.  Examples of great reasons a business could win are increased turnover, new employee/s, winning a new contract, taking on new premises, community support, running a successful event or delivering excellent customer service.

The winner will receive a 3 hour Marketing Strategy session, their story added to the Business Factory website to raise their profile and encourage others, a pinned Facebook post on Business Factory Facebook page, tweets about the business by Business Factory Twitter account as well as our other social media platforms.

Nominations can be tweeted to The Business Factory using the #NTCBiz, posted on its Facebook page or emailed to info@businessfactorynt.co.uk