Women’s holistic therapist, Wakefield-based Vicky Rawcliffe, has been named the winner of the Wellness Specialist/Practitioner for the UK and Europe in the Hall of Wellness Awards (HOW Awards) 2020/21.
Working from her home-based treatment room in Horbury, Vicky offers a suite of highly acclaimed holistic therapies to transform the health, wellness and beauty of her clients. A trained clinical reflexologist, massage therapist, facialist and reiki master, Vicky launched her business in September 2018 after a 20-year career as a PA. Judges were wowed by her range of treatments, dedication and 5-star customer service.
Vicky Rawcliffe, founder of Transcendence Holistic Therapies, said: “Since launching in 2018 I have worked tirelessly to establish the business, gain a good professional reputation and a busy diary. To win this award is the ultimate recognition of my hard work and I can’t wait to welcome my clients back to celebrate this with them!”
Launched to recognise those excelling in their fields in the global spa, beauty and wellness industry, the HOW Awards have been developed to recognise extraordinary individuals while elevating the global spa, beauty and wellness industry.
Nominees we put through a rigorous four-stage judging process which concluded with submitting a video of them practising their chosen skill. These were judged by a panel of 20 expert judges from the sector, including figures such as Nic Ronco, Daniella Russell, Lisa Starr, Michelle Hammond and Amy McDonald.
Lisa Starr, spa business consultant at Wynne Business Consulting & Education, who interviewed Vicky as part of the judging process, said: “I am SO HAPPY that Vicky won this award. We only had a half-hour chat from across the pond, but I could feel Vicky’s amazing grace and energy through Zoom.
“The spa industry needs more people like Vicky, and by that I mean, people who labour away because they love what they do, and they love bringing relaxation and awareness to their clients who might not receive it otherwise. You don’t have to be in a big city to bring a big impact, and I’m really proud of Vicky!”
Vicky added: “I have always focused on putting the client's experience at the heart of every touch and thought during their time with me. This has put me in good stead as my client base has grown steadily without any paid advertising - just through word-of-mouth recommendations, my website and social media.
“Although I have had to close my doors for six months out of the last twelve due to the pandemic, 2020 was still an amazing year for me. I spent lockdown time working on the business, staying in touch with my clients, improving my systems and qualifying in new techniques and therapies. As soon as I re-opened after the first lockdown I was busier than ever as clients were desperate to receive the nurturing and healing treatments that I specialise in. The pandemic has raised everyone’s awareness that our health is our wealth, and it’s no longer considered an indulgence to book regular treatments to care for our physical and emotional wellbeing. I also went on to win two Industry Awards.
“I am so looking forward to opening and welcoming my clients back again as soon as restrictions allow, and in the meantime I’m busy creating a brand-new signature transformation programme to support clients on a 1:1 basis over a number of months. It will be a nurturing journey back to physical, emotional and spiritual wellness, which I think is exactly what we all need right now.”
Vicky has continually invested in her professional development and, as well as offering reflexology, massage, holistic facials and reiki, is also trained in fertility reflexology, advanced facial reflexology, Zone Face Lift and pregnancy massage. She has also achieved the Behind the Mask Qualification - Awareness of Domestic Violence for Beauty Therapists and the Masced Qualification - Melanoma & Skin Cancer Early Detection for Beauty Therapists and is a trained Mindfulness Practitioner.
