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By Juanita Metzger

Allison McCormick has three little cheerleaders to motivate her while she launches her new business, Worthy Skin and Beauty Bar in Waterloo.

Her daughters, ages four, six and eight, watch every move she makes. “They are so excited for me, it’s so adorable.” she said. “It motivates me to make sure this is going to be a success and that I can be a role model for them.” She wants them to know their dreams were worth putting into action.

Worthy, is a skin and beauty aesthetician clinic where moms and women can treat themselves to high quality skin therapies in a welcoming, comfortable environment. “So often, as a mom, you feel guilty [about treating yourself] and I wanted to change that narrative with my friends, family and the community.” Worthy Skin & Beauty Bar has all the services you would expect in a top-notch clinic, but without the sterile, cold feeling of a medical spa-clinic.

“I wanted it to be something really special,” Allison said, “a place where you could have a treatment appointment for half an hour, then sit afterwards with a book, or lounge with a coffee, glass of champagne, whatever is special and relaxing for you.” From the moment they walk in the door, she wanted people to feel and know that they are more than worthy of treating themselves.

Allison had a lot of support from other women within the industry while researching and planning her skin and beauty bar. The health, technical and regulatory steps require significant expertise.

For the business side of things, she followed the recommendation from a friend to enroll in the Fall 2020 session of Start My Business Program at the Laurier Women Entrepreneurship Centre.

“Every single class was eye opening to me,” she recalled. The instructors and her classmates created a safe space where everyone could ask questions and share opinions.

Two sessions really stuck with her.

“I was most excited about the branding and marketing,” Allison said. She began to see how her vision, brand, culture, and physical space could be tied together in a consistent package.

“The other one was bookkeeping, because I know nothing about bookkeeping!” she said. She decided that bookkeeping would be something to hire someone else for. “I know my time is better served in the clinic, being around the clients and not stressing about if I’m figuring my books out properly.”

Because of support from WEC and others Allison is feeling less intimidated about starting her own business. “I have a newfound love of stepping outside my comfort zone because what's on the other side is so rewarding.”

Watch Her Soar by following her on Instagram

Juanita Metzger is a freelance writer specializing in hyperlocal community features, profiles and travel. She also owns and operates Stroll Walking Tours based in Kitchener, Ontario. 

The Women Entrepreneurship Centre (WEC), as part of the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs of every age, stage and culture to achieve their business dreams. We believe in fostering leadership. We believe that everyone deserves an equal shot at success. We believe in connecting you with the right people, skills and support to make it happen.