Dedication and expertise guarantee rejuvenation at Warrington salon

It’s a sanctuary for complete well-being where clients can embark on a journey of complete rejuvenation.

Here in our latest Meet The Beauty Therapist, Donna, who is 59, tells us her calling to be in the health and beauty industry, why she believes in a holistic approach to wellness and why it’s so important to stay at the cutting edge.

If you would like to appear in one of our Meet The Salon Owner or Meet The Stylist, Meet The Makeup Artist or Meet The Beauty Therapist features email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

Springs Health & Beauty owner Donna Carey (Karen Harms)

What’s your full name?

My name is Donna Carey and I am 59 years old.

What’s the name of the business?

Springs Health & Beauty Clinic

What’s the address?

76/78 London Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington WA4 6LE.

The salon is on London Road in Stockton Heath

Are you the owner or manager?

I am the owner and also a therapist and functional medicine health coach

How many employees do you have?

I have two full time receptionists and four therapists, so including myself there is a team of seven.

When did you open the salon?

The salon opened in 1989 within The Village Hotel, Warrington, moving to its present location in 1994. Springs was extended to take over the adjoining premises in 1996 and has been through several refurbishments since then.

READ MORE:

Meet the salon owners providing a ray of light to customers after dark times

Are you local to the area? Did you grow up here?

I was born in Warrington and married in 1982. I was 17 my husband was 18 and we have been married 42 years this year. I continued my education as a new bride and mother going on to build our businesses together, however never working together. Kevin is a hairdresser and has his own salon. We have two children - Rebecca 41, who is a primary school teacher, and is married to a high school teacher with two daughters. We also have Matthew - he is a chef and owns Vandal on Palmyra Square in Warrington together with his wife and they have two children.

Health and wellbeing was Donna's calling

Tell me a bit about your salon/business

Springs Health, Wellness & Beauty Clinic is a sanctuary for complete well-being. At springs we invite our clients to embark on a journey of total rejuvenation. Nestled in the heart of Stockton Heath village, our oasis beckons, offering a tranquil escape from the demands of modern life. While our serene surroundings provide a respite from the urban chaos, our strategic location ensures that you’re never far from major motorway networks.

Springs is designed with the client’s comfort and well-being in mind, featuring nine luxurious treatment rooms that blend relaxation with targeted therapies. Whether you seek moments of serenity, comprehensive skin rejuvenation, or personalised wellness coaching, we have meticulously crafted our offerings to cater to the clients every need.

Rejuvenation beyond imagination.

What do you do? What services do you provide?

At springs, we understand the diverse needs and desires of our clients. That’s why our menu of services is as extensive as it is impressive. From the soothing touch of expert massages to the indulgence of spa facials, we offer a range of traditional treatments that provide relaxation like no other.

For those seeking cutting-edge solutions, our clinic boasts a selection of advanced therapies that include micro needling, LED photo therapy, radio frequency treatments, muscle stimulation, compression therapy, lipo massage, advanced peels, skin rejuvenation, intense pulsed light therapy and electrolysis. Additionally, our specialised skin blemish and skin tag removal procedures ensure your complexion radiates confidence.

Springs commitment to holistic well-being extends to every detail, from manicures and pedicures that pamper your hands and feet whilst respecting the natural nail to eye treatments that awaken your natural beauty. We understand that our clients comfort zone is unique, which is why we offer both standard and intimate waxing services, ensuring our clients always feel at ease in their own skin.

A natural approach to beauty: my mission at Springs is clear, to provide effective and non-invasive services while preserving a natural approach to heath, wellness and beauty. I believe that true radiance comes from within and that enhancing your inner well-being is the key to unlocking your outer beauty.

Before any treatment begins, we offer a free in-depth consultation that goes beyond the surface. Our skilled professionals utilise state of the art technology for skin scanning, allowing us to understand our clients unique skin needs. We offer functional nutrition guidance and health coaching to help you make informed choices about your overall wellness. From weight management to diagnostic health testing, our holistic approach ensures that we address the root causes of face, body and health concerns.

Why did you decide to open your own salon?

My life’s journey has been anything but a straightforward path from point A to point B. At a very young age, I became a mother and was faced with a challenge of raising my children. It was during this time, in 1986 that I was diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition for which I had no access to information due to the absence of the internet.

Nonetheless, I’ve always had a deep-rooted interest in the effects of nutrition, health and wellness on the human body. Naturally, I gravitated towards alternative therapies and began making positive changes to my lifestyle and diet. I made the significant decision to eliminate all dairy from my diet and embraced a new approach to exercise, shifting from high-intensity aerobic classes, popular in the 80’s, to a programme of callanetics. All of which had a remarkable and positive effect on my skin, mind and body.

Clients are promised a journey of total rejuvenation

What’s your hair and beauty background?

My academic pursuits led me to study biology, sociology and English, eventually leading me to enrol in a beauty therapy course at my local college. It was there that I was introduced to aromatherapy, a subject that deeply resonated with me and piqued my fascination.

Throughout my career, I worked as a beauty therapist in various settings, including salons, spas, health clubs and as a freelance mobile therapist. I completed my teacher training with the intention of passing on my knowledge. However, I ultimately realised that my true calling was in the salon environment, and I have never looked back since. My career has been a journey of continuous growth and evolution shaped by my experiences and expanding knowledge.

Why this type of business?

As for why I chose to enter this type of business, it’s a calling I can’t ignore. I recall being asked what I wanted to be when I was very young, around eight or nine years old. My response was simple; “I don’t know, as long as I get to wear nice clothes and high heels”. Little did I know then just how demanding and rewarding this profession would be. Behind the glitz and glamour, it’s a career that demands constant attention to detail and little time for personal maintenance.

Through the years, I’ve come to realise that we, in the beauty and wellness industry share a common thread – a deep seated desire to care for and uplift others, we find fulfilment in a calling that allows us to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, and for that, I am grateful every day.

READ MORE: Meet The Salon Owner creating unique nails for unique personalities

How did the Covid-19 pandemic affect your business?

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic brought significant changes to my business. I was like many others forced to make the difficult decision to close the doors on March 21, 2020, ensuring that we completed all scheduled appointments that day. At that time, there was a lot of uncertainty, with whispers circulating around the village. I initially believed it would be a brief closure, perhaps lasting only two or three weeks. Little did I know that Springs would remain closed for a total of 47 weeks through the whole of the pandemic.

The experience was transformative, and I must admit that I still carry a sense of frustration regarding the treatment of our industry by both local and central government. The fact that certain insurances companies neglected their obligation to honour policies stating coverage for business closure. The insurance companies that failed in their obligation to honour policies stating loss of stock. And local governments that gave me a grant of £350 to cover the whole month of December business closure.

Nevertheless, I consider myself fortunate to have weathered the storm. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, I had encountered several recessions before and had learned to rely on my resilience to navigate challenging times.

Reflecting on this period, I’ve come to realise that I have adopted a more balanced approach to my business. This doesn’t mean I’ve become any less ambitious or assertive, but I’ve learned not to take everything too seriously. I’ve started dedicating more time to myself, a shift from my years of coaching clients in lifestyle changes while neglecting my own well-being. It’s worth noting that I’ve faced two burnouts in my career. Running one’s own business is inherently stressful, as it involves managing not only the balance between family and work life but also the intricacies of the team’s personalities and lives.

I’ve chosen to step back and prioritise what truly matters to me. I am an ardent advocate of continuous learning, and during this time, I have seized many opportunities to further my qualification and studies into functional medicine and nutrition. The events of the past few years have underscored the critical importance of health and wellness. Now, more than ever, it’s our duty to extend our services to those who need us, helping them take steps towards a healthier future.

The salon originally opened in 1989 inside The Village Hotel before moving to Stockton Heath in 1994

What makes your business different to others in the same area/field? What sets your business apart from your competitors?

What makes Springs truly unique is our holistic approach to beauty and wellness. We go beyond just offering cosmetic treatments, we integrate a natural approach to health and well-being alongside beauty services. It’s about addressing both the inner and outer-beauty, creating a more comprehensive experience for our clients.

We offer an extensive range of services that cater to a diverse set of needs. From the typical manicure/pedicure and hair removal to Advanced treatments like radio frequency, LED photo therapy, skin rejuvenation, muscle stimulation and micro needling, to functional nutrition and health coaching, we cover a wide spectrum. We believe in providing a variety of options so that our clients can receive treatments that are customised to their specific concerns.

I am a firm believer in staying at the cutting edge of our field. That’s why my team are always engaged in continuous learning. For instance, they recently completed advanced facial and body training with Germain Du Capuccini. Also LED photo therapy with Dermalux. In 2023 they completed training with Cosmeditec for lipo massage and Astra Radio Frequency micro needling. In 2022 I completed Functional Medicine health coaching and functional nutrition with FMCA in the USA. The FMCA health coach certification programme is the only one developed in collaboration with the Institute for Functional Medicine.

IFM sets the standard for science based, root-cause curriculum in the area of Functional Medicine and functional nutrition. I want to ensure that we are offering the latest and most effective solutions for our clients.

I also take our role in the community seriously. We’re actively engaged with Stockton Heath village, and we see ourselves as a trusted part of the community. Our reputation for excellent service, combined with our community involvement, has made us the preferred choice for beauty in the area.

In essence, Springs Health & Beauty is all about providing holistic, personalised, natural approaches to beauty and wellness, driven by a team of experienced and passionate professionals. We’re deeply committed to our clients and our community, and that’s what truly sets us apart from the rest.

Why do loyal clients return to your business?

Our consultations are thorough and personalised. We use cutting-edge techniques like skin scanning and diagnostic health testing to get a deeper understanding of our clients needs. This allows us to provide recommendations and treatments tailored specifically to them. It’s all about offering a more personalised and effective experience.

My team is the heart of what makes Springs exceptional. We have a group of dedicated professionals with an impressive amount of combined experiences in the industry. Their expertise and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction truly sets us apart from the competition. We’re passionate about what we do, and it reflects in our work.

At springs, we prioritise natural beauty and wellness solutions. We steer clear of invasive treatments. Our clients appreciate this approach as it aligns with their desire for healthier and more sustainable beauty practices. It’s about enhancing beauty naturally.

What’s next? What do the next few months hold for you and your salon?

In today’s digital age, enhancing the salon's online presence is crucial. I started in this business when it was all word of mouth. I have never really been involved with this area before and I am enjoying learning more about it and how it can help to sustain the business as we move forwards. At present I am currently revamping the website, optimising for SEO and am actively engaging in setting up social media platforms, building content. I am looking at a way to offer our consultation process virtually to cater to our tech savvy clients.

As sustainability becomes increasingly important, we have implemented eco-friendly practices into the salon, with our new range of skincare and nail products. We are actively reducing our waste, and introduced a more sustainable range of linens and towels.

As we move forward into 2024 I will continue to evaluate customer preferences with regards to our treatment offerings. Although we have never followed fad treatments it is important to looks at trends and how they may fit our brand.

Creating a membership programme that offers exclusive benefits, discounts and personalised services to our loyal clients is something I am keen to pursue in the future. Hosting educational workshops and seminars on health, wellness and beauty related topics will give added value to clients.

I will continue with my local community work facilitating courses where I coach participant who are dealing with pre diabetes.

Expanding and growing springs health and beauty in 2024 will require a combination of innovation, client-centric strategies and adaptability to industry shifts. By staying attuned to customer needs and market trends, while maintaining a commitment to quality and sustainability, investment in my team and the treatment offerings. Springs can continue to thrive and evolve in the years to come.