By Claire Williams, CEO & Founder of WOW Facial
On April 28th, we kicked off our very first WOW Roadshow at the Village Hotel in Bury, Manchester—and I can wholeheartedly say it was everything I envisioned and more.
The Morning: Education & Excitement
We began at 10am with a refresher on our WOW Facial protocols and products—its always a great way to reconnect with our customers and remind them of the power and results behind what we offer and why the skin health journey is so important. Then came the moment we had all been waiting for: the launch of our brand-new product. our guests in Manchester were the first to hear about it and it was the first time for some of our team too—PDRN with B3 and glycerin. This trio works synergistically to condition the skin, boost collagen and elastin, brighten complexion, and provide anti-inflammatory support. The energy in the room was electric as we explored the science and potential behind this new formula. Also I had invited speakers to come and offer their insights to the group so we had 4 very great speakers.
Cheryl Cain – Healing acne from the inside out
First up we were honoured to welcome Cheryl Cain (@thegoodskinguru). Her talk, Healing Acne from the inside out, was deeply insightful and truly holistic. Cheryl went beyond skincare to explore diet, the microbiome, stress, and hormones. She reminded us that acne is not just a skin issue—it’s a signal of systemic imbalance. Her emphasis on functional medicine and looking at the whole person resonated strongly with our ethos at WOW Facial. The Q&A session was lively, and her final slide rounded up her talk perfectly: “Treat the root, not just the symptom.”
Visit www.thegoodskinguru.co.uk to learn more about Cheryl and her work.
Gemma Hornsby Lofthouse– From side hustle to success
Following Cheryl, Gemma Hornsby Lofthouse of Essence Cumbria (@essencecumbria) gave us an inspiring and practical talk about turning an aesthetics side hustle into a thriving, full-time business. Her mindset tips—“Don’t ask, can I afford it? Ask, can I afford not to?”—were gold. She opened up about navigating growth, imposter syndrome, and the power of setting boundaries. Her talk struck a balance of heartfelt truth and sharp business acumen, and I loved her reminder that growth is messy and non-linear.
Find our more about Gemma and her business here www.essencecumbria.co.uk
Abby Barhoumi – From Nurse to Aesthetic Practitioner and Educator
Abby Barhoumi (@cambridgeaestheticslounge) then shared her compelling journey from working in the NHS to founding a successful aesthetics and training business. Her key takeaways—Education is everything, Confidence comes with experience, Resilience is key—echoed the values we cherish at WOW. Her parting message was powerful: “Your path is possible. Invest in yourself—your future clients are waiting.”
For more information on Abby and her training visit www.cambridgeaestheticslounge.co.uk
Cat Alvarez – Coping Strategies For Running a Busy Aesthetics Business
Last but certainly not least, we had a talk from WOW veteran and Kysense ambassador Cat Alvarez (@alvarezaesthetics). Cat’s vulnerable and empowering talk about managing chronic illness, single motherhood, ADHD, and running a business was raw and real. She reminded us that “You can be tired, messy, and still create something sustainable and impactful.” Her strategies for survival—automating, outsourcing, setting boundaries—were practical and heartfelt. And her final thought hit home: “My success isn’t due to being superhuman—it’s from being real.”
Visit Cats’ website at www.alvarezaesthetics.co.uk
We ended the morning session with a heartfelt thank-you from me and my team gifted each speaker a bouquet of flowers—a small token for the incredible value they brought to the day. During our networking lunch Humphrey our photographer and videographer too professional photos of the attendees so that we can share them with them and they con use on their websites and socials and then. In the afternoon we did hands-on demonstrations with the WOW Fusion device and our new PDRN serum. Seeing our attendees light up as they tried it themselves was the perfect close to a fantastic day day.
Reflections
This roadshow was born from a desire to spotlight voices often unheard, to empower those ready to “feel the fear and do it anyway.” I am beyond proud of our speakers and grateful to the team and attendees. Our culture at WOW is one of acceptance, honesty, and growth—and this day reflected all of that and more.
To learn more about WOW facial visit www.wowfacial.couk
