Building a Business Your Way: Rachel Peebles on Community, ADHD and Lasting Impact

When Rachel Peebles started teaching Spanish to children in 2017, she began with just two Saturday classes.

Nine years later, she now teaches around 250 students each week across children’s and adult classes in the Glasgow area through her business Estrellas Brillantes. Alongside her Spanish teaching, Rachel has also added ADHD coaching and children’s activity business strategy into her work over the last year.

Her journey is a brilliant reminder that there is no single way to build a successful class business.

You don’t have to be the loudest person online. You do not have to follow every trend. You do not have to build your business exactly the way everyone else does.

You can build it around your strengths, your values, your community and the kind of impact you want to make.

Growing From Demand

Rachel’s business grew because she listened carefully to what people were asking for.

She started with children’s Spanish classes, then added adult classes in 2018 after interest from parents.

“I think it was important to be seeing what was needed, what the demand was, what people were wanting.”

That ability to notice what people needed helped Rachel build steadily over time.

Like many class providers, she has had to adapt through different seasons of business. During COVID, she moved her classes online and taught hundreds of sessions virtually.

“I think I taught about 600 classes online over COVID.”

That experience taught her a lot about delivery, flexibility and working out what was sustainable.

“I think with the time and the experience, you learn what works, what doesn’t work.”

Building Without Relying on Social Media

One of the most refreshing parts of Rachel’s story is her honesty about social media.

She has built a business with approximately 160 children and 90 adults attending weekly, but she openly admits that social media has not been her strongest area.

“The social media is not my strong point. I have always admitted that.”

Instead, Rachel has focused on other ways to grow her business, including:

• Word of mouth from existing families
• Bring-a-friend promotions
• Local community magazines
• Local Facebook groups
• Parent recommendations in comment threads
• Online directories
• Google Business Profile

For Rachel, strong customer experience has been one of the biggest drivers of growth.

“I think a lot comes from word of mouth and providing a good service to the customers that you’ve got.”

She also highlights the importance of Google Business Profile, because many families are actively searching for local classes.

“If they’re Googling local classes and you pop up, you’ve then got them.”

It is a useful reminder for class business owners that marketing does not only mean posting every day. Local visibility, referrals, trust and reputation can be incredibly powerful.

Purpose at the Heart of the Business

Rachel’s business also has a strong purpose-led element.

Before starting her Spanish business, Rachel spent nine years working in Bolivia with children who were growing up in prison with their parents. That experience shaped the way she now uses her business to support international projects.

Through fundraisers, summer clubs, end-of-term sessions and special activities, Rachel’s community has supported children’s work in Bolivia and a school in Uganda.

“We’ve now raised just over £35,000 since we started for the different projects.”

For Rachel, the fundraising is not only about the money raised. It is also about helping children understand that they can be part of something bigger.

“They can contribute.”

That sense of community and collective impact runs through her whole business.

ADHD, Business and Learning to Work With Your Brain

Rachel was diagnosed with ADHD in her early forties, which helped her understand why some areas of business had always felt harder.

She talked openly about struggling with organisation, emails, social media and keeping on top of things.

“I realised I didn’t have to do it all by myself.”

That realisation changed how she approached her business. Instead of forcing herself to do everything, Rachel began focusing on the work that used her strengths and seeking support for the areas that drained her time and energy.

She has since completed ADHD practitioner and coaching training and is now supporting others through one-to-one coaching.

Her work focuses on helping people understand their own brains and create strategies that work for them.

“It’s been a huge privilege to be able to walk alongside people.”

For many class business owners, especially those who are neurodivergent, Rachel’s message is important:

• You do not have to run your business like everyone else
• You can get support with the things that drain you
• You can build systems around how your brain works
• You can focus on your strengths
• You can create a business that is sustainable for you

Rachel’s Role as a Class Business Awards Judge

This year, Rachel is also one of the judges for the Class Business Awards.

As an award-winning business owner herself, she understands the process from the applicant’s side. She has entered awards, been shortlisted, won awards and experienced the value they can bring to a business.

This year, she wanted to be involved in a different way.

“I wanted to be part of what it is you’re building here.”

While reading the applications, one word kept coming up for Rachel: impact.

“These businesses are making an impact in their local areas.”

She spoke about how powerful it has been to read the stories behind class businesses across the UK. Many have started because of a personal experience, a need in the community, or a desire to support others.

“There’s always a backstory, there’s always that personal aspect to it.”

For Rachel, the judging process has highlighted just how much class business owners contribute, not only to individual children, adults and families, but to wider communities too.

“Every one you read, you think, they’re making a difference.”

Watch the Full Interview

Rachel’s interview is packed with real, practical insight for class business owners, including:

• How she’s built a sustainable business over nine years
• Why word of mouth has been such a powerful marketing tool
• How Google visibility has helped families find her classes
• The role community fundraising has played in her business
• What her ADHD diagnosis helped her understand about working differently
• Why outsourcing can free up your time and energy
• How to build around your strengths instead of battling through everything alone

Watch the full interview with Rachel on our YouTube channel and take notes – there are so many lessons in this conversation for anyone who wants to build a business with longevity, purpose and real impact.