When conventional medicine failed to help Julie Dodgson, despite two years of visiting the doctor and treatment at St James's Hospital in Leeds, she turned to alternative treatment.

"I was actually told that conventional medicine couldn't help me anymore so I tried homeopathy, " said the mother of four.

She eventually discovered she was suffering from a disease of the gall bladder.

"It took two years to get right, but it worked and I was so convinced by it, I eventually set up in business." she said.

The result was Crossgates Health and Well Being which she launched in 1998 and named after the farm in Bell Busk where she first started in a "porch" before then moving into part of her living room.

Today, her business, which has customers around the globe, is in the Barn, North Street, Gargrave, and she has expanded her work to include animal health, a link with her previous farming background.

The move to North Street, from Settle, has also seen a further flourishing of the business and the inclusion of a health and beauty salon run by her daughter, Sally.

Julie, who employs 14 people, said people needed to take stock of their emotional, spiritual and intellectual wellbeing and learn to take responsibility for their own health.

"And they must be open-minded - not the same kind of treatment suits everybody," she said.

Julie believes that the service she offers works well alongside doctors and vets and also that complementary practitioners and therapists need to share their skills to give the patient the best possible care.

She said: "There is a time and place for both. We can help with the psychological side people struggle with, which is massive.

"We look at the the mental causes for physical illness and the way to overcome them. We can help immensely with all sorts of issues and our treatment can be used alongside conventional treatment."

Her passion, she says, is also to share her experiences and help others and believes attitude and optimism are important.

"The body is a great healer and if given the right tools, there is much which can be done to obtain optimum health," she said.

"Our work is very rewarding as we get a lot of work through word of mouth. People are telling others they feel so much better. They can see the results for themselves.

"I've always been a positive person who appreciates life and have always loved life to the full.

"I live for everyday. The experience of going through an illness for two years means I'm conscious of how important it is to look after yourself.

"Running the business is challenging , keeping the cash flow going and making sure everything runs smoothly.

"I always say it can be lonely when you are a boss but it's rewarding and knowing you have a committed and loyal staff makes for a strong business."

Since the move from Settle to Gargrave - they are in the former Dorothy Ward building - business had grown and she had established a gift and health shop.

"It is so much better as we are just off the A65 and can be seen from the road. We're also getting a lot of passing trade and support from the people of Gargrave," she added.

The business is at the cutting edge of homeopathic treatment and Julie has introduced a franchise scheme built on the Crossgates model, in which people can set up at home or to add to an existing business like a salon, wellness centre or a spa.

People interested in learning more about the Crossgates Bioenergetics should visit the website at crossgateshumanhealth.co.uk and see what the shop has to offer at crossgatesfarm.co.uk.