Meet the Hallam Fresher who’s the CEO of her own business

Every year, at every Uni, there are students who defy the stereotypes of what a student is. The Tab sat down with Aimee Browes, 19, a first year Psychology student at Sheffield Hallam. Starting her enterprise at just 17, Aimee created 'The Happiness Bootcamp' which has rapidly grown over the past couple of years. We wanted to find out more from this enthusiastic entrepreneur, so we went for coffee.

Aimee Browes, 19, CEO of The Happiness Bootcamp

So, Aimee what is the happiness boot camp?

The Happiness Bootcamp is my social enterprise project that uses fitness to heal and create awareness of mental health issues. So I create events, write blogs and more to try and put forward how much fitness and physical health can help your mental health. It’s a really positive space, to empower people.

What inspired you to start your social enterprise?

From a young age, I suffered badly with my mental health. I had pretty much every therapy available on the NHS. The NHS is wonderful, but the waiting list is super long. It can be up to six months, and I was getting no help from my school. The Happiness Bootcamp is an immediate help, a community where no one feels alone.

The Happiness Bootcamp quickly became a huge success.

When you first started it, did you anticipate the amount of success?

Not at all. I started it in the moon unit of The Harley. It was an idea that I’d told a friend, who ran the unit at the time. We put an event on Facebook, and we had over 400 people interested.

We had to hold the same event three times and lock the doors to stop people from coming in. It was really exciting, and that’s when I realised people really needed this.

How do you manage work/life/study balance?

No idea! I kind of just separate Uni time from other time. Between lectures, I do as much as I can with reading. When I’m at home I take care of The Boot Camp. I go to the gym for an hour a day, and I cut off from everything. That’s my self-care. If I didn’t keep that part of the day to myself, I’d be lost. I have a diary too, which I swear by.


Have you ever wanted to give up?

Yes, after The Moon Unit at The Harley closed, the boot camp lost its home. I was going through a bad stage with mental health, and college. Everything kind of went downhill. I lost it, and I didn’t know where to go with it. It wasn’t until I won an award, 'The Prince's Trust Social Enterprise of the year', that I knew to keep going with it. It went from strength to strength from then on, and I would never give up on it now.

The Happiness Bootcamp meeting at the now closed, Moon Unit.

How many employees do you have working on the project alongside you?

Next month I’m interviewing at Hallam Students Union and we’re going to be taking on around eight people. I’m looking for anyone, from social media to mental health nursing. Anything to help out.

What does your family think of you being a student and owning your social enterprise?

Aimee, with her mum, Dorice, and her dad, Gary.

They love it, and they’re really really supportive. For them, it’s nice to see me go from somebody who couldn’t leave her bed, or might not be here tomorrow, to change into somebody who’s actively helping people in the same situation. They’re just happy to see me happy.

Does being a young woman in business frighten you, or empower you?

Both. I think that being part of a social enterprise project, some people don’t take it as seriously as someone making a huge project at Canary Wharf. That empowers me more, having people think 'you’re not going to succeed' makes me want it more.

My aim is not to make a million pounds, my aim is to help a million people.

Aimee, and boyfriend, Adam

What message would you send to students wanting to start their own business?

You can't be afraid of failure. If you fail, you haven’t really failed. You just learn. There’s a business out there for everybody, you don’t have to be stuck in a 9-5 job. Follow your passion, and make your own job.

If you could describe your life in three words, what would those words be?

Energetic. Empowering. Enlightening.

If you're interested in getting involved with The Happiness Bootcamp then get in touch with Aimee!

Facebook: The Happiness Bootcamp