The pandemic changed how many of us think about business and workspaces. Suddenly, the spare bedroom office wasn’t enough. And for women running businesses from home, the need for dedicated, professional space became more critical than ever.
Three inspiring women have cleverly used their garden space to launch their successful businesses, transforming Summerhouse24 garden rooms into thriving business headquarters that not only serve their practical needs but have become integral to their success stories. Their journeys show how thinking outside the house – or office – can unlock some serious business potential.
Zen Meets Profits in the Cotswolds
When you think of a Pilates studio, you might imagine a sleek urban space with floor-to-ceiling windows and minimalist décor. But for one entrepreneur in the Cotswolds, her vision was different – and arguably better.
“I have turned my summer house into a beautiful boutique Reformer Pilates studio on my farm,” she explains. What started as a garden building has become something special: a tranquil wellness sanctuary that’s been running successfully for over three years.
“My clients love the space and always feel it is so tranquil.”
There’s something powerful about offering wellness services in a setting that’s inherently peaceful. While city studios compete on convenience and equipment, this rural retreat offers something money can’t usually buy – genuine serenity. The farm setting means clients can connect with nature while working on their physical wellbeing, creating a unique selling proposition that’s built right into the location.
The success speaks for itself: three years of steady business in a competitive wellness market, with clients who genuinely love the space. It’s proof that sometimes the best business location isn’t where you’d expect to find it.
Consciously Handcrafted Cosmetics
When most people think about manufacturing, they picture warehouses and industrial estates. But for the founders of Superfly Soap, their garden room has become a complete production powerhouse.
“We have made full use of our garden room and it’s now a manufacturing powerhouse for our little soap company!” they explain with pride. “Everything takes place within the room, from product development to the making of the skincare, soaps and conditioner bars, right down to final packing and dispatch.”
This isn’t just a storage shed with some supplies thrown in. It’s a fully functioning manufacturing facility that handles every stage of the business process.
The business model aligns perfectly with current consumer values too: “All our products are handmade, eco-friendly, plastic-free and vegan.” It doesn’t get much more authentic than environmentally conscious products being made in a garden setting rather than an industrial facility.
Award-Winning Fitness Lodge
The fitness industry was hit particularly hard during the pandemic, but one personal training business saw opportunity where others saw obstacles. In 2020, Lisa and Dan installed ‘the lodge’ as “a Covid way to sustain our fitness and personal training business.”
What seemed like a survival strategy has turned into something much bigger. “We’ve won a collection of awards over the past 4 years and having a great Summerhouse24 building has really helped that.”
This transformation represents the perfect pivot story. When traditional business models were disrupted, this entrepreneur didn’t just adapt – they innovated. The garden room became more than a workspace; it became a competitive advantage.
The awards speak volumes about the quality of service being delivered from this unconventional fitness space. Clients aren’t just accepting the garden location as a compromise. They’re actively choosing it, and the business is being recognized industry-wide for excellence.
The Business Case for Garden Room Revolution
These three stories aren’t just heartwarming tales of entrepreneurial spirit. They represent a fundamental shift in how we think about business premises, and the numbers support this trend.
Lower overheads long-term: No commercial rent means more profit stays in the business. No commute means more time for revenue-generating activities.
Unique positioning: In crowded markets, location can be a differentiator. The Cotswolds Pilates studio isn’t competing with city gyms on convenience – it’s offering something they can’t.
Scalability with control: When your business grows, you can modify your space without landlord negotiations or lease complications.
Work-life integration: These women haven’t just created businesses; they’ve crafted lifestyles that align with their values and circumstances.
Speed to market: One significant advantage these entrepreneurs discovered is how quickly they could establish their business premises. Many garden rooms can be installed and operational within weeks rather than months of commercial property searches and fit-outs.
Lessons for the Next Generation of Women Entrepreneurs
What can other women in business learn from these room success stories?
Think beyond traditional spaces: The best location for your business might not be where similar businesses usually go. Consider what your specific audience values and how location can align or even enhance them.
Start where you are: You don’t need to wait for perfect conditions. The featured business owners started from immediate needs and went on to build from there. Plus, many garden room solutions can be implemented without the lengthy planning permission processes that traditional extensions require – garden buildings that do not need planning permission mean you can often be up and running in your new business space within weeks rather than months.
Embrace your uniqueness: The farm setting isn’t a compromise for the Pilates studio – it’s a premium feature that urban competitors can’t replicate.
Quality over convention: All three businesses focus intensely on what they deliver rather than conforming to industry norms about where they should deliver it.
The garden room revolution isn’t just about property solutions – it’s about reimagining what’s possible when women take control of their business environments. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to expand, sometimes the best next step is right outside your back door.
These inspiring businesses show that with creativity, determination, and the right space, women can build thriving enterprises on their own terms. The question isn’t whether you have the perfect business premises – it’s whether you’re ready to create them.