"Congratulations on a very successful and enjoyable conference. We all had such a great time, we learnt a lot and the breaks were all buzzing with furious networking activity! Everything a conference needs to be."

Katherine Arbuthnott,

Director, Blue Sand Marketing

WIOB Conference - Be Inspired

Over 230 of the leading figures in the UK beauty industry were together at the inaugural Santi Conference, held at the Institute of Directors on Tuesday 20th June. A lively and upbeat day was hosted by the conference’s creator, Susie Santiago.

It was a rare chance to hear from women who have followed their dreams, and in doing so have achieved incredible commercial success and are now at the top of their profession. They spoke about how they made it to the top, the highs, the lows and their top tips for profitable business success.

Key speakers during this unique day included Susan Harmsworth, ESPA International and Geraldine Howard, Aromatherapy Associates who both gave the audience an inspiring “story so far” of their career and successes in the beauty industry.

A lively panel session discussed the issues around business development, managing and motivating staff and providing consistent service to our clients. Training and regulation for the industry was a hot topic! Key salon and spa operators were represented on the panel: Bharti Vyas, Holistic Beauty Therapist and Author, Shula Starkey, Co-Owner, Ark Health and Beauty Group, Lucy Wakefield, Owner, Calmia Spa and Holistic Day Spa and Jackie Anderson, Owner, In Harmony Salon.

Marcia Kilgore’s fresh, humorous and lively approach to business was evident in the way that she answered the questions put to her by Susie Santiago. Feedback from the conference delegates was that she was truly inspiring. She is now working for herself having sold Bliss and she is having fun creating a new product line called Soap and Glory. - she did!

Delegates were invited after lunch to join in one of four workshops – all of which covered different key areas and were presented by specialists in these areas. Experiential retail was hosted by Sally Penford, International Dermal Institute, Marketing for profitable business growth with Gill Morris of GM Training, Increasing sales through strategic web design with Catherine Jenkins, Web On High and the Conference founder, Susie Santiago worked with delegates on the issues of effective recruitment, selection and training.

The darling of the tanning and salon world, Judy Naake endeared herself all over again to the many fans that had come to hear her speak about her journey to the recent successful sale of St Tropez UK. Frank, funny, feisty and moving, she told delegates about how she started the company from the boot of her car.