By Gemma Hornsby-Lofthouse, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, @essencecumbria
When I stood up to speak at the WOW Roadshow, I didn’t just want to talk about business—I wanted to talk about the journey. My session, From Side Hustle to Success, was about growth in all its messy, non-linear glory. I was looking to start speaking at events when I saw Claire the CEO of WOW facial had put a call out for people who wanted to start speaking but didn’t know where to start, she was looking for people willing to push themselves outside of their comfort zone but in a really friendly space and I thought why not grasp the nettle.
My aesthetics career started as a side gig, worked around NHS shifts, and bloomed into what’s now Essence—a multi-dimensional brand spanning skin, wellness, and functional health. But let’s be honest: it wasn’t easy. There were moments of imposter syndrome, juggling roles, and wondering “Can I really do this?”
I shared my core beliefs: Boundaries create freedom, confidence comes from clarity, and mindset is everything. From launching new ventures like BioNovu to scaling with intention, I’ve learned that growth requires you to become the kind of CEO who leads with both heart and systems.
To anyone standing at the start line: you don’t need to have it all figured out. Just take the next step. And remember—profitability isn’t a dirty word; it’s what makes your purpose sustainable.
To learn more about what is do visit www.essencecumbria.co.uk and to learn more about WOW facial and Claire’s other companies visit www.wowfacial.co.uk and www.circaskin.com
