Our 10 minutes with Local Business Owner Gail Hugman

September 11, 2025

Let's introduce you to the lovely people of Leigh-on-sea. What's your name and what local business do you own?

I’m Gail Hugman, I moved to Leigh On Sea 3 years ago, bringing my online business, Lessons Alive, with me.

Can you tell us a little bit more about Lessons Alive? Where we can find you and what do you do.

Lessons Alive is about helping children to flourish in learning and life. I offer parent consultations, Lessons Alive assessment and 1-2-1 sessions with school aged children (5-GCSE). Parents come to me when their children need help to enjoy learning or get ready for exams, a change of school or who have switched off from learning. My clients are mostly online, but locally I can do face-to-face. I have published several books for parents and will be talking about these at Read On Sea on Friday September 26th at 6pm.

The books are for parents of school aged children.

A Short and Simple Book for the Why’s – messages every child needs to hear

100 Things to Learn Before You’re 10 – how to support children’s learning with activities to help

Making the Pennies Drop – core skills and how to teach them

Running a small business is very hard, what and who have you found useful on your business journey.

I started networking almost as soon as I arrived! I joined the Women in Business networking group in Southend and have also been to the group in Leigh On Sea. I’ve made a few friends through this who have then introduced me to other networking groups in the area such as Winning Women, and Women Owned Essex Business. I also had a stall at the Leigh Business Expo last year and will be doing that again this year, too. I was introduced to SAVS who support local charities and ran a lunchtime webinar for parents called Six Weeks Sorted before the summer holiday which was very positively received. More recently, I’ve joined the new Women’s Institute group in Leigh on Sea…

What made you decide to start your own local business?

After 30 years teaching in and around London, with experience of different roles including senior management, I wanted a new challenge!

What made you choose a career in your sector?

As a six year old, my favourite activity was to line up all my teddy bears and dolls and ‘teach’ them…it was a bit of no brainer after a start like that!

What do you love about living in Leigh-on-sea.

EVERYTHING! I’m closer to my sister in Hornchurch; the friendly people; the woods; the fact people care about the place and take an interest; that there’s always something going on; that I’m close to theatres (I’ve been to the theatre more living here than when I lived in London!) ; the independent shops and restaurants; and the fact I can walk by the sea any time I like!

Name five places you love to go in Leigh-on-sea.

Old Leigh

Sara’s tearoom

The Movement Base (pilates with Sam every week – fantastic)

Belfairs – the woods and Discovery Centre

A walk through Belton Hills