On 4 November 2025, we- Abigail and Julie of AfterMED Skin- had the privilege of participating on the Founders Panel at The Female Boss Live, held at The Wellbeing Farm in Bolton.

Being invited to speak at this event alongside experienced businesswomen was a valuable opportunity to share our journey with AfterMED Skin and discuss the realities of building a business.

Who We Shared the Stage With

We joined a line-up of speakers and founders, including:

Beth Hope- Executive Coach, who spoke about self-acceptance and building inner confidence.

Kate McLaren- Former athlete turned business coach, who focused on mindset, resilience under pressure, and leadership. Kate also runs her own non-profit organisation, It's Her Foundation which supports females.

Michelle Niziol- Former Apprentice candidate and property entrepreneur. She shared her journey from homelessness to business success, illustrating that background does not determine future opportunities.

On the Founders Panel with us were: Katherine Jones (Founder of ThinK Wines) and Kate Hill (Founder of Lola Starr activewear). Their insights into building brands with purpose, creativity, and integrity contributed to a diverse and informative discussion.

The Significance 

We appreciated the opportunity to participate for several reasons:

It was recognition that AfterMED Skin’s mission and approach resonate with others in the business community.

It provided a platform to share the practical realities of building a business, including the challenges, resilience, and decision-making involved.

It allowed us to connect with a community of women who share similar values, including authenticity, empowerment, and purpose.

What the Panelists Spoke About and Their Impact

Each panelist, including us, shared their experiences: how we started our businesses, the challenges encountered, and the motivations behind our work. Hearing others’ perspectives, from early-stage development to scaling, reinforced the value that female-led businesses contribute to the marketplace in terms of diversity, resilience, and perspective.

The event also highlighted that “female in business” is not just a demographic designation; it represents a valuable approach to leadership that incorporates empathy, authenticity, and community-oriented thinking.

The Importance of Women in Business

In industries that remain predominantly male-dominated, events like The Female Boss Live are important. They provide visibility, support, and role models while emphasizing that there are multiple paths to success.

For AfterMED Skin, this is particularly relevant. Our mission extends beyond providing aesthetic aftercare; it is about empowering patients to feel confident and informed in their understanding of aesthetic treatments.

A Thank You and Next Steps

We would like to thank the organisers of The Female Boss Live, all speakers, and attendees for creating an event focused on sharing experiences and supporting growth.

For us (Abigail and Julie), attending the event was an important opportunity to share our insights and learn from others. It reinforced our commitment to developing AfterMED Skin while maintaining our core values of authenticity, integrity, and empowerment.

We look forward to applying what we learned and continuing to grow our business with these principles in mind.

* Photograph credit Kate Swerdlow