Karen Wasikowski has been a nurse for more than 20 years.

The love for her profession has seen her pop up in many different areas from intensive care and neuro rehabilitation to respiratory and women’s health.

In 2017, Karen wanted a change and took the plunge to establish Young Lines – a facial aesthetic and skin treatment business.

The venture started as a mobile service then quickly grew into a purpose-made clinic where she employs six staff to meet the demands of her clientele.

Young Lines now sits in Yorkersgate, Malton and opened in August 2020.

Karen’s transition into facial aesthetics initially came from a conversation with a friend.

She said: “Honestly, a friend suggested it. It was that simple. I looked into it and thought yes why not…? It literally snowballed from there.”

Karen has been committed to developing her knowledge of nursing and has been to university three times gaining qualifications to advance her career.

“I qualified as a registered nurse in 2005. I went back to university in York in 2010 and was awarded in 2014 with a degree in health sciences BSc (Hons) and I since went back again in 2016 and gained my independent nurse prescribing qualification.”

But Karen has had to find her feet in the world of business to run a successful clinic.

“I’m a medical practitioner/nurse. I’ve had to learn business on my feet and learn quickly, and I’m still learning. Other businesses are extremely supportive and go out of their way to help if needed.”

The best part of the process for Karen is making her patients smile and “feel a little bit better”.

She said: “From the initial consultation to the ‘ta-da’ moment. We provide life-changing confidence. We help them feel their best.

“Making people smile is addictive. I absolutely love my job.”

Karen’s career-driven attitude shows no signs of slowing down as she plans to grow her business further.

“I am striving for a CQC registration, which would enable more medical treatments to be delivered.

“Also, expand our team and potentially create two further treatment rooms.

“I am also a medical aesthetic trainer and plan to introduce medical mentoring in clinic from April this year.

“This is only possible from the trust and support shown to me and my team from our wonderful patients and local community.”