A Humbie mum has gone from being forced to quit her job due to Long Covid to picking up a national award for her new franchise business.

Mairi Curle, 34, took on franchise business Boogie Beats Music and Movement Edinburgh, Mid and East Lothian at the start of last year, having quit her job as a primary school teacher in Dalkeith after becoming ill with long Covid.

The mum-of-two made the brave decision for a career change in January last year as she was still keen to work with young children.

The business, which specialises in musical entertainment for children normally aged five and under, has grown rapidly since she took on the mantle last year.

Mairi said: “I bought the Boogie Beat franchise in January 2023 after long Covid left me unable to return to my previous job as a primary school teacher.

“After having a year off work with long Covid and trying to return to the job I knew and loved, it soon became clear that I needed longer to recover as I was unable to do the job in the way I wanted to and the way the children deserved, so I took a career break and bought into the franchise.

“This was a terrifying leap to take; with a young family to support I had to really go all in and it was make or break.”

Since starting the business, Mairi has found great success, with full bookings for parties and community events.

Her efforts saw her pick up a regional award earlier this year when she won the Federation of Small Businesses Franchise Award for Scotland and was put forward for the UK finals earlier this month.

Mairi travelled to Blackpool for the UK finals in the Empress Ballroom at Winter Gardens, where she went on to pick up that award too.

She told the Courier: “I couldn’t believe it. I was there with all these incredible businesses from all over the UK. I was just happy to be amongst them, let alone win!

“The whole thing was spectacular and really professional. I couldn’t believe I had won.”

Mairi has expanded the business to now offer intergenerational work, bringing nursery classes to care homes to enjoy music with the elderly.

She has begun work with St Mary’s Nursery and Florabank Care Home in Haddington, bringing youngsters to the home for some intergenerational music.

And she has recently started working with Preston Tower Nursery, in Prestonpans.

She said: “I want to bring two generations together with these events. We have done them elsewhere but I live here in East Lothian and I want to work here too.

“It’s great to see how the kids and the elderly interact with each other and I think it does great things for both.

“All in all I am really glad I took on this venture. It’s been a great experience so far. We now have four staff members and could add more going forward as we grow.

“I’m so glad I did it and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”