Beauty Finder’s Michael Quinn recently caught up with Marion Cadwell of Westfield House Distributors Ltd – UK & Ireland distributors of Provence Cosmetics and Bioslimming to find out a little bit more about Marion and her company.
Marion Cadwell (left) and Joanne Such, Director of Beyond MediSpa Harvey Nichols London winners of the Salon of the Year Award 2011 for Bioslimming.
How did you get into the beauty industry?
Quite by accident really, I was working as a Midwife at a time when Complementary Therapies were just starting to be introduced for women whilst in Labour.
Myself and a couple of colleagues embarked on an Aromatherapy Diploma in order to be able to use it in our work capacity.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and decided to continue training in many other disciplines.
When I started on my journey I never envisaged leaving Midwifery but in 2004 I resigned from the Health Service to concentrate fully on my complementary therapy business which I had set up at the beginning of 2000.
Tell us a bit about your company Westfield House Distributors Ltd?
As a company we focus on supplying effective high quality professional products to discerning spa and salon owners as well as providing excellent training for their therapists. One of these products is Bioslimming from Provence Cosmetics France, who also have an exciting innovative skincare range and sports product which we also distribute.
What inspired you to launch Bioslimming and Provence Cosmetics in the UK and Ireland?
I have tried a number of body treatments over the years looking for something that would actually give the results that my clients and I were looking for, I found many of the treatments that I tried gave fair results but nothing was long term. I am quite picky and very results driven!
I introduced Bioslimming to my clients and was amazed at the feedback that I was getting from them. I then embarked on an in-house trial on many of my clients, friends and family to get a better insight as to how effective Bioslimming was. The results were amazing both from a one off treatment and from courses of treatments.
For me, I felt it was the product that I had been searching for and that there was a gap in the UK market for a treatment of this caliber, hence the reason we became the distributor for the products within the UK & Ireland.
Over the years body wraps have received mixed reviews as to their effectiveness but Bioslimming in our view is totally unique and unrivalled in the market today. Bioslimming is more of a Body Program than a body wrap.
I have tried Bioslimming myself; can you explain the benefits for individuals?
Bioslimming has a whole host of benefits due to the high levels of active ingredients that it contains. It helps reduce the appearance of cellulite, reduces fatty deposits by inducing Lipolysis (fat burning), tightens the skin, reduces inches, boosts metabolism and helps enhance weight loss. It can also help prevent and decrease appearance of stretch marks as well as decreasing varicose veins and spider veins.
I feel for me the biggest benefit is seeing people who have battled with weight issues and have tried all kinds of diets etc and because they do not see results quickly enough give up before they have reached their goal. Bioslimming treatments let them see and feel a difference quickly and this then gives an incentive to address their diet and exercise.
Personally I have seen clients going from a size 22/24 to a size 18 in just 6 weeks when combining salon treatments with homecare, this in itself is remarkable but the best bit for me is seeing these women feeling and looking more confident and having a positive mental attitude towards their body image.
Is it true you also own a spa?
Yes. We own a nice old Victorian property in a small village and have converted the top floor into a Day Spa. When I first started my business in 2000 I introduced “Pamper Parties” and Spa packages into my treatment menu as an alternative girl’s day out and we now have clients regularly travelling over 50 miles to come and enjoy our packages.
Where do you find the time to manage the company?
I am lucky to have really good staff and get a lot of help and support from my long suffering husband and son! Although I do still find that I am sitting replying to emails and doing paperwork at midnight. All part of the fun though!
Can you explain a little more about Provence Cosmetics as I am not so familiar with this company?
Provence Cosmetics are a dynamic French company headed by Flora Vergnolle they have bases in South of France and Beverly Hills USA. They offer a new concept in skincare and bodycare based on high quality and fast results using natural active ingredients and biotechnology to produce products which they feel are completely unique and without comparison on the market.
Provence Cosmetics products are exclusive to Professional Therapists, Spa and Salon owners and their products are now available in many exclusive salons and spas in many countries around the world.
You are clearly passionate about the industry. What drives you in your career?
I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of my career and have an overwhelming desire to succeed. As a distributor I love when salon owners and therapists get in touch to share how successful they are whilst using one of the products that we distribute. This is particularly important in tough economic times when many salons are finding things a bit more difficult.
What are your interests/passion outside work?
We are lucky to live in a rural area and there are a lot of nice places to go walking which I enjoy when I get the time. I’ve always wanted to play the saxophone and my husband bought me one for Christmas. I didn’t take music at school so on a bit of a learning curve at the moment but I’m now managing to read music and making noises that sound a bit like music! My music teacher is now talking about doing exams!! And here was me thinking that it was just a hobby!
What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining the industry?
I would definitely recommend joining the industry it is a great industry to work in. I feel that you have to enjoy what you do and be passionate about it. Also don’t be afraid of trying something new and exciting. I think it is important to offer a unique selling point as this helps you stand out from the crowd. It doesn’t matter how big or small your company is I would recommend having a website to advertise your business.
What advice would you give someone thinking of introducing Bioslimming to their salon?
In tough times introducing new treatments and training tends to be put on the back burner however in my opinion this is probably the best time to introduce a new treatment to your menu as this in turn can help increase your client base as well as increasing your profits. Bioslimming is an extremely effective treatment and we are getting fantastic feedback from salon owners, therapists and their clients as well as getting many glowing reviews from journalists.
What’s next or in the pipeline or your aspirations for the company?
We are proud to be sponsoring the INAA Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards which is being held in Glasgow at the end of May. I am also looking forward to exhibiting at the Wales Hair and Beauty Show on 1st July in Cardiff.
There are a lot of exciting things in the pipeline with regards to Bioslimming and other Provence Cosmetics products which include an excellent skincare range and an exciting little product called Bodypro50.
As the distributor of Provence Cosmetics products my aspirations are to make it a well loved and successful brand within the UK & Irish market.
If you want to find out more about Provence Cosmetics or becoming or introducing Bioslimming to your range of treatments, check out this great offer for Beauty Finder members by clicking link below.
http://www.beautyfinder.co.uk/special-offers/385/bioslimming-inch-loss-salon-treatment-startup/
