In the latest instalment of unLTD’s Inside Track series – where Russell Thompson AKA the ‘Director on Demand’ gets the real-life stories behind South Yorkshire’s most inspiring entrepreneurs – we meet Barnsley-based Leonie Briggs, founder of Amazelab, to hear how she’s using creativity, curiosity and a splash of rainbow colour to make science accessible for all.
For many people, the phrase ‘STEAM education’ – science, technology, engineering, arts and maths – might conjure up images of complicated equations or intimidating laboratories. But for Barnsley-based entrepreneur Leonie Briggs, founder of Amazelab, it represents opportunity, creativity and, above all, accessibility.
“We try to break down barriers to learning these subjects,” Leonie explains. “I’m such a strong believer that they are for everybody.”
It’s a mission that has taken Leonie from veterinary nursing to the classroom and eventually to running her own business, inspiring young people across South Yorkshire and beyond.
Meeting at Hyde Café in Barnsley for the latest in unLTD’s Inside Track series, a monthly in-person interview to get the real-life stories behind some of our region’s most inspiring business leaders – and quickly becomes evident that Leonie’s route into business hasn’t been a straightforward one.
Starting her career in the veterinary profession, she worked in general practice and orthopaedics before moving into hydrotherapy and rehabilitation. “I honestly used to swim with dogs for a living,” she laughs. “How things have changed!”
After training veterinary nurses to degree level, she decided to pursue a long-held ambition – teaching. With a two-year-old in tow, she completed her PGCE, specialising in science and chemistry, and went on to teach in primary, secondary and post-16 settings.
“My classroom was that slightly crazy one that could’ve been in Hogwarts,” she says. “The thing is, you never know who’s in that classroom. You could have someone who goes on to completely change the world. I saw it as a privilege it is to work with these fantastic young people.”
Like many businesses born during the pandemic, Amazelab started at home. Concerned that young people were missing out on practical science skills during lockdown, Leonie took matters into her own hands.
Using everyday household items, she began creating simple, safe science experiments (“I completely destroyed my dining room table!”), broadcasting to families across the UK. What began as an improvised teaching project soon attracted attention, and demand for resources grew.
Enter David, her husband and Amazelab’s co-founder. “He’s a graphic designer,” Leonie explains. “I don’t know whether he was embarrassed or felt a bit sorry for me at the quality of the resources I was sending out, but he got on board.”
Together, they realised they had something unique – Leonie could write and deliver the workshops, David could handle branding, design and activity packs. Five years later, Amazelab is thriving.
Central to Amazelab’s ethos is accessibility. “Some people just don’t think these subjects are for them,” Leonie says. “As soon as they hear science, technology, engineering or maths, they get turned off. But pretty much everything can be linked to a STEM subject.”
She personally credits her local roots – “we’re made of steel and look at all the amazing inventions that have come out of Sheffield” – and her hero, British astronaut Helen Sharman, for inspiring her passion for science.
Amazelab delivers workshops in schools, libraries and with community groups, ensuring no one is excluded. They partner with local charities and alternative provision settings to make sure resources meet diverse needs.
“There’s an Amazelab workshop for everybody,” Leonie says. “We want to establish meaningful, everyday links – whether it’s using football as a hook or showing how science underpins modern life.”
When I ask Leonie about her own sliding doors moments – those turning points we all have – she reflects on the courage it took to do her teacher training.
“I used to have little classroom displays in my bedroom as a kid, with Peter Rabbit books and posters,” she recalls. “Somebody having faith in me to go back to university was huge.”
The second turning point came with the pandemic. While Covid brought immense challenges, it also pushed Leonie to fully commit to Amazelab. “People kept saying, ‘go for it’ – I was working part time in school, part time running Amazelab, and trying to do everything with two small children,” she says. “Eventually, I took that big leap, went full time, and I’ve not looked back.”
Leonie’s story is also shaped by her own health challenges. At 27, she suffered a pulmonary embolism – a life-threatening condition. Recovery was tough, but humour, determination and a supportive family kept her going.
“We honestly used laughter as the best medicine,” she says. “I’d listen to podcasts, watch comedy films, re-watch Friends and Sex and the City – anything to keep going.”
Her experience not only fuelled her positivity but led to new opportunities. Unable to leave the house some winters, she became a STEM Ambassador, inspiring young people from her laptop – a role that paved the way for Amazelab’s early success.
“I even did science lessons live to thousands of people,” she laughs. “It’s funny – as a teacher, I hated observations, and suddenly I was being watched by the whole nation.”
Amazelab’s reach has grown far beyond South Yorkshire. Their activity packs have been used across the UK and even as far as Jamaica, working with the British Council and schools in the Caribbean.
“Watching our resources go from South Yorkshire to Jamaica – that was surreal,” Leonie says. “Sadly, I didn’t get to go with them!”
This global impact recently earned her invitations to Westminster, where she spoke at a government roundtable about entrepreneurship from economically deprived areas, and gave a speech on Amazelab’s work with disadvantaged young people.
“I’m proud to represent South Yorkshire,” she says. “We’ve got so much talent and opportunity here.”
Leonie is a big believer in collaboration over competition. From working with schools, councils and charities to her involvement with the global science communication community, she sees strength in partnerships.
“During lockdown, we had SciComm socials online – people doing cross-stitch, chatting, supporting each other,” she says. “Even now, I run projects with people I’ve never met in person.”
Amazelab’s projects include everything from Mars Day lessons with over 250,000 participants to activity packs developed with young people. “Seven-year-olds come up with the best ideas,” she laughs. “Why didn’t we do it like that? They keep us on our toes.”
For Leonie, Amazelab is also a family affair. Her children, Alex and Lucas, are proud members of the ‘Mini Amazelab Crew’ and even helped with unboxing copies of her first book, Make Your Own Rainbow: A Colourful Approach to All Things STEAM.
“The book came from lockdown,” Leonie says. “The rainbow was such a symbol of hope, and we created experiments inspired by that. It’s all about using creativity to break down barriers.”
Seeing her daughter take over Amazelab’s slot on the Global Science Show was another proud moment. “Like mother, like daughter,” I joke, and she beams back with clear pride.
“I want my kids to live in a great place with great possibilities,” she says. “If we can ignite that little spark and belief in people, we’ve done our job.”
Looking ahead, Leonie wants to continue growing Amazelab while keeping their South Yorkshire roots strong. Support from Enterprise Barnsley and Business Sheffield has been vital, alongside national recognition – including winning Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Sunday and being named one of the UK’s top 100 female entrepreneurs.
“It’s about embedding what we do – high-quality resources, meaningful impact, and deepening those roots,” she says. “We can blossom from there.”
Her ultimate philosophy? “Be respectful, look after each other, and don’t walk around thinking you’re more important than anyone else.”
It’s a grounded, distinctly South Yorkshire mindset – and one that’s driving real change, from the heart of Barnsley to classrooms across the world.
Find out more about Amazelab:
www.amazelab.co.uk
Instagram: @amazelabuk
Facebook: facebook.com/amazelabuk
