What Being Named a WASSABA Finalist Means to Me, And Why I Do Things the Sole Revival Way
There are moments in business that make you stop and reflect.
Being named a finalist in the 2026 WASSABA Awards was one of them.
Not simply because of the recognition itself, but because the submission process gave me the opportunity to step back from the day-to-day running of Sole Revival and put into words something I don’t always stop to articulate:
Why do I do things the way I do?
The answer is actually quite simple.
Because I genuinely care about the people who trust me with their skin, their wellbeing and, often, their confidence.
More than a treatment
Sole Revival has evolved considerably over the years.
What began with a strong foundation in holistic therapies has grown into a skin-focused clinic incorporating advanced technologies, professional skincare and corrective treatments.
But one thing hasn’t changed.
I have never believed that a treatment should simply be about performing a procedure and sending someone home.
For me, exceptional therapy begins with understanding the person sitting in front of me.
What are they concerned about?
What are they hoping to achieve?
What has worked, or not worked, for them previously?
And perhaps most importantly, what do they actually need?
Sometimes that means an advanced skin treatment.
Sometimes it means slowing things down.
And sometimes it means having an honest conversation and deciding that a particular treatment isn’t appropriate.
Science without losing the human connection
I’m endlessly curious about skin and wellbeing.
I love understanding the science behind the treatments I offer, continuing my education and investing in technology that has a genuine purpose.
Dermapen4 skin needling, radio frequency, IPL, LED and professional cosmeceutical skincare all have an important place within Sole Revival.
But technology is only one part of the equation.
My background in complementary healthcare has taught me that people aren’t separate from their skin.
Stress, lifestyle, wellbeing and how someone feels about themselves can all influence their experience of their skin and their treatment journey.
That’s why I’ve always believed in bringing together the best of both worlds, advanced skin science with a genuinely therapeutic experience.
Why I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all
One of the strongest themes running through my WASSABA submission was personalisation.
Every person’s skin is different.
Every person’s goals are different.
And every person’s circumstances are different.
I don’t believe in recommending a treatment simply because it is currently popular, nor do I believe in promising results that aren’t realistic.
My role is to listen, assess, educate and create a plan that makes sense for that individual.
Sometimes the answer is a course of advanced treatments.
Sometimes it’s improving the home-care routine first.
And sometimes the best thing I can do is tell someone that they don’t need the treatment they thought they did.
That honesty is important to me.
The Sole Revival experience
The treatment itself is only part of what I want people to experience when they walk through my door.
I want them to feel comfortable.
To feel listened to.
To feel safe asking questions.
To know that they aren’t being rushed through an appointment.
I’ve deliberately created Sole Revival as a boutique practice where quality matters more than volume.
I limit how many appointments I take because I believe being overly busy can compromise the very thing that matters most to me, the quality of care.
The small details matter too.
The environment, the consultation, the treatment ritual, the communication and the care afterwards all contribute to the experience.
For me, these aren’t extras.
They are part of the treatment.
Still learning. Still evolving.
One of the things I love most about this industry is that there is always more to learn.
I don’t ever want to reach the point where I think I know everything.
I’m still curious.
I’m still researching.
I’m still refining my techniques and evaluating new technologies and treatments before deciding whether they have a place at Sole Revival.
That is part of my philosophy of constant and never-ending improvement. (CANI)
Not changing things for the sake of change.
Improving because my clients deserve the very best knowledge, skill and care I can provide.
What the finalist recognition really means
Being named a WASSABA finalist was a lovely moment of recognition after many years of doing something I genuinely love.
But perhaps the most valuable part was being reminded of what I have built.
A business based on trust.
On education.
On integrity.
On continuous learning.
On treating the person rather than simply the concern.
And on believing that advanced technology and genuine human connection don’t have to be opposites.
They can work beautifully together.
That is the Sole Revival way.
Treat with purpose.
Educate with honesty.
Respect the skin.
And always put the person first.
I’m incredibly grateful to the WASSABA team and judges for creating an opportunity to reflect on the work we do as therapists and to celebrate the people who continue to raise the standard of our industry.
And I’m very proud to have been named a 2026 finalist.
Jules O’Driscoll
BA Hons Complementary Healthcare
Founder & Head Therapist
Sole Revival Skin & Body Clinic
