Sunderland nurses bridge gap between medicine and beauty with new aesthetics venture
Two Sunderland sisters with more than 45 years combined nursing experience have joined forces to launch Sister Aesthetics, a new clinic dedicated to clinical excellence and natural results.
Founded by registered nurses Hayley Dodds and Joanne Matthews, Sister Aesthetics combines decades of clinical expertise in emergency care, oncology and ward management with a modern approach to medical aesthetics.
The duo, who continue in their NHS roles, decided to launch the venture after identifying a need for a more regulated, medically-led approach to aesthetic treatments in Sunderland.
Hayley Dodds, co-founder of Sister Aesthetics, said: “We’ve dedicated our lives to nursing, but we’ve always had a passion for aesthetics. It felt like a ‘now or never’ moment for us. We wanted to create a space where patient safety and ethics came before everything else. Because we are sisters and colleagues, there is a level of trust there that you just can’t replicate – we hold each other to the highest standards.”
Sister Aesthetics focuses on making people feel refreshed by offering anti-wrinkle treatments, dermal fillers, and skin boosters. Drawing on their medical backgrounds, the sisters place an emphasis on honest consultations, clinical assessments and the courage to say “no” to inappropriate and unnecessary treatments.
The transition from clinical practitioners to business owners was made possible through the support of the North East BIC. Despite their extensive medical training, the sisters found the world of self-employment and business tax a daunting new frontier.
Co-founder of Sister Aesthetics, Joanne Matthews, said: “We know how to look after patients, but learning how to run a business was the missing piece for us. Everything in the NHS is done for you, so without the BIC and our adviser, Hina Joshi, we’d still be wondering how to even start with taxes and sourcing equipment.”
Through the support of the BIC, the sisters secured grant funding to purchase essential clinical equipment including a medical grade fridge and professional lighting. The support has allowed the business to scale sustainably while both sisters maintain their vital roles within the NHS.
Hina Joshi, Business Adviser at the BIC, said: “It’s been brilliant to help Hayley and Joanne launch Sister Aesthetics. They are using decades of clinical experience to provide a professional, medially-led approach to aesthetics. I’m excited to watch them go from strength to strength.”
Joanne added: “We definitely wouldn’t be where we are now without the BIC. It isn’t just about the financial support, it’s the confidence of knowing someone is there to support you as you shift your mindset from clinician to business owner.”
Sister Aesthetics plans to grow its client base through a commitment to “quality over quantity,” with plans to introduce advanced treatments as the business evolves.
The start up support Hayley and Joanne received from the BIC was originally available up to the end of March 2026 as part of the Enterprising Sunderland project, which received £523,541 from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme to deliver support in Sunderland in 2025/26. The programme was managed in Sunderland by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership.
Funding to continue Enterprising Sunderland, up to the end of December 2026, has now been secured. This continuation of the project forms part of Sunderland’s Business Support Programme, and is funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority through its Integrated Settlement.
To find out more about the treatments available at Sister Aesthetics, click here.