In the first of a new series featuring holistic therapists who use our products, Botanicals Consultant therapist, Lisa Whitehead, talks to Siobhan Carey (above left) who runs 'Rest and Restore' from her treatment room in her Watford home.

Tell me a little about yourself and your business:

I've been in the beauty industry since 2005 and trained at the Ray Cochrane Beauty School in Baker St, London, qualifying in CIBTAC and CIDESCO. I started up my business called Rest and Restore last November which is a room in my house. I do all aspects of beauty including manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials and massage (inc. sports massage). In July I also finished my three years of study in acupuncture which I hope to incorporate into the business.

What was your journey into the therapy business?

The story starts with my dad asking me for a foot massage when we were on holiday in Spain. I was about 10 years old and begrudgingly gave him the foot massage. I then realised I was really enjoying myself and then when he fell asleep and was so appreciative to how relaxed he felt I realised if I could find a job doing this then that was the job for me!

What do you love most about what you do?

Everything! I enjoy all the treatments, and I love alternating between the different treatments. I couldn't work somewhere I would have to do the same treatment over and over again as I feel the client would not get the same great treatment if I was on auto pilot all day long. I love helping someone feel better within themselves. Stress is the biggest cause of disease in our lives, and if I can help reduce stress, I feel a massive sense of achievement.

I also love being in a room with a lack of electronics! I'm a technophobe, and although I enjoy to watching TV and using the computer, it's nice to have a room without these things in it. I love using the Botanicals products, being in a room full of pure natural smells. I just love absolutely everything about my job! Well I guess I wouldn't call it my job - I'd call it a hobby!

What’s been you’re greatest challenge?

I guess saying 'yes' to being self-employeed and taking the risk. I knew it was the right path for me to go down, but it still meant spending lots of money before making a return. Also, being 23-years-old, I thought perhaps I was too young to start, but then knew it was what I had to do.

Advertising has been really hard too, and it's so difficult to let people know I'm here when I work from home. It can also be a battle mixing home life with work life. So eventually I would like to stop working from home.

What’s been you’re greatest learning?

It would have to be Naturopathic Acupuncture. It was a life-changing course, learning about the elements and how you can help yourself, learning that you are in charge of your health, and how you can better yourself. I also love ingredients; why ingredients are put into products, what there benefits are, etc. I love to learn which I guess is another reason why I love beauty therapy!

What made you choose Botanicals for your business?

Obsession is a strong word, but I am extremely passionate about natural ingredients. I don't see why you should pay money for something that's going to damage your health. The skin is made to absorb natural ingredients and utilize them in the best way possible. The body doesnt know how to absorb man-made chemicals, and so they either they get stored in the body (which leads to other complications), or filtered through the liver and kidneys (which is not great for the liver and kidneys), and hopefully chucked out of the body.

Botanicals ethics fit perfectly with me. I love the way they are hand made, and even have reiki! Keeping not just the ingredients natural, but the whole process natural, too!

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I started with both starter kits - using them just on myself and my mum (to get two different age groups to try it). My skin - which is combination and still suffering with a few blemishes - not only cleared up, but also brightened up too! My mum's skin also had a really healthy glow from it too!

I loved the fact that I can talk to you all directly, and that you all know what you're talking about. And if you don't, you will get back to me with the answers. It's nice to talk to the people that are in the centre of it all, and not just put through to a receptionist, or an order hotline.

It's also nice to have a say in what products are made next. Botanicals has high standards, and it's great that if a product isn't up to your expectations, then it will have to wait another couple of months until it is. You don't just put it on the market if it's not as good as you hoped.

How do you integrate Botanicals into your business to make it such a success?

I obviously use all the products myself for starters. That's always a selling-point when people look at my skin and see how good it looks. I may also put a balm or oil on my wrists, depending on the treatment, so people can smell them, which they always comment on.

I use Botanicals for manicures, pedicures, facials and massage (and hopefully waxing soon, too!).

I incorporate the client into the Botanicals products by doing sensory tests, asking them to smell both toners or facial oils to see what the body would like to work on most. If I'm not doing a sports massage, I will also do a sensory test with the body oils. Applying a fingertip of oil on the wrist of the client (as long as they're not wearing perfume) and ask them to take a deep breath in (one oil on each wrist) then if they ask questions I will explain the essential oils they have chosen what they are good for.

What are your plans for the future?

I will hopefully be working alongside someone in a medi-clinic doing beauty and acupuncture. And also, hopefully soon, doing facial rejuvination acupunture for two days a week whilst still doing my business at home three days a week. And depending on how busy it gets there, leaving my clinic at home and working there five days a week.

Siobhan's clinic is in Watford.  www.restandrestore.co.uk