Building a passion-project into a fully-fledged business
Melissa had the courage to step out of her comfort zone which led to a boost in her confidence, and ultimately propelled Roller Girl Gang to new heights
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Mel Blackwood is the founder of Roller Girl Gang, a community interest company based in Leeds, dedicated to promoting roller skating as a means of enhancing mental wellness. The company offers everything from a well-stocked shop with high-quality roller skating goods to teaching classes and hosting social events. What began as a passion project in 2015, when recreational roller skating options were nearly non-existent in Leeds, has now evolved into a thriving business.
‘At the beginning, it was very organic,’ Mel recalls. ‘People would come up and ask, “Can you teach us how to roller skate?” From there, we saw the need to support the development of roller skating skills.’ As the business grew, Roller Girl Gang became known for fostering a welcoming and inclusive community around the sport.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Mel’s business underwent a major shift. With in-person classes on hold, their online presence and shop took centre stage. ‘We flipped the business. The skate shop became more popular than ever,’ she explains. However, the rapid growth brought its own challenges. Mel had to transition from her full-time role as a school teacher to being fully accountable for all aspects of running the business.
In navigating this, Mel took part in the Help to Grow: Management Course, which she credits with giving her the confidence to turn Roller Girl Gang into the business she had always envisioned. ‘It helped me become the leader I wanted to be but was struggling to become,’ she says. A crucial part of that journey was defining the company’s purpose, vision, mission, and values. ‘We talk about our values a lot, whether it’s through our marketing material, newsletters, or social media. By being clear about them, we’re attracting customers who are already aligned with what we stand for.’
Mel’s commitment to leading with values extends to her team as well, including volunteers who play a key role in the business. ‘Our team and volunteers are the face and voice of Roller Girl Gang. If they’re not aligned with our values, it’s not truly our business,’ she says.
Looking ahead, Mel is aware of the importance of bringing in employees with skills where she might lack expertise. ‘It can feel shameful to admit you don’t know something, but it’s crucial to be honest and see it as an opportunity to learn.’
Despite the challenges, Roller Girl Gang continues to flourish. In 2024, they made the bold decision to move into a larger premises, a daring but ultimately successful move. ‘It wasn’t guaranteed to make money, but I did it because of the confidence I gained through leading with purpose and values.’
