An incurable autoimmune disease and a fight for her toddler’s diagnosis have helped a Western Australian critical care nurse redefine her career and create the kind of patient care she once needed herself.
Sarah Bott spent years caring for critically ill newborns while privately managing an incurable autoimmune disease. Today, the registered nurse and Cosmetique Coolbellup franchise partner is turning that experience into the foundation of her own business.
Her approach is simple: give people time, listen to their concerns and make sure they never feel pressured into treatment.
For Bott, it is a philosophy shaped by being on both sides of the healthcare system, as a nurse, a patient and a mother searching for answers.
Diagnosed with primary Sjögren’s syndrome before she had even chosen her nursing specialty, Bott endured approximately six months of emergency department visits, unsuccessful medications and specialist appointments before learning what was wrong.
The chronic autoimmune condition can cause persistent dryness, fatigue and joint pain and can affect organs beyond the body’s moisture-producing glands. Bott said her illness included systemic symptoms and major organ involvement.
“When you are unwell and still searching for answers, it affects far more than your physical health,” Bott said.
“You want to understand what is happening to your body and you want someone to listen. That experience has stayed with me throughout my nursing career.”
Despite her diagnosis, Bott completed a postgraduate qualification in critical care nursing and specialised in neonatal intensive care, supporting critically ill babies and their families while managing her own health.
But another consequence of her illness would eventually help steer her towards a different nursing career: chronically dry, inflamed and unpredictable skin.
“Skincare wasn’t about vanity for me. It was the first time in years I felt I had some control back,” she said.
“Feeling more comfortable in my skin gave me relief and confidence when my illness had taken both away. That was where my interest in skin health and aesthetics began.”
A mother’s fight became a turning point
Years later, Bott’s daughter began showing signs that something was wrong.
Bott said repeated medical visits initially brought reassurance that her daughter was totally fine, before she was eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune condition before turning two.
“I was a nurse working within the healthcare system, but as a mother I still found myself fighting to be heard,” she said.
“Knowing what living with autoimmune disease involved made that experience particularly difficult. It also made me reassess what sustainable care needed to look like, for my patients, for my daughter and for me.”
Training as a qualified cosmetic injector and becoming a Cosmetique franchise partner offered a way to continue using her nursing skills while gaining greater control over her working life.
Opening her Coolbellup clinic brought together her clinical background, personal experience and ambition to build a business that could accommodate her family’s needs.
“Every person who sits in my chair is looked after by someone who has genuinely been on the other side of it,” Bott said.
“I want people to feel comfortable asking questions, understand their options and have time to make their own decisions. Treatment should never feel pushed on anyone.”
“This type of service has helped me and now I am helping others too in my own business as a registered nurse.”
Helping nurses make the move into ownership
Cosmetique’s Ascent pathway is designed to help selected nurses within its network transition from clinical practice into clinic ownership.
The invitation-only program provides a structured bridge between nursing expertise and the practical demands of running a business, including clinic development and setup, business and administration training, advanced clinical training, marketing, compliance and governance.
Cosmetique CEO Dr Vivek Eranki said nurses bring valuable skills to business ownership, but clinical experience needs to be supported by operational knowledge and systems.
“Nurses spend their careers assessing needs, communicating with people and taking responsibility for their care. Those skills provide a strong foundation for clinic ownership,” Dr Eranki said.
“The Ascent pathway is designed to support that transition with the business training, systems and ongoing guidance needed to run a clinic.
“Sarah brings another valuable perspective because she understands how vulnerable someone can feel when they are seeking help. Her experience has shaped a clear commitment to listening, explaining and giving patients room to make informed decisions.”
For Bott, business success means creating a working life that allows her to care for others while also managing her health and being present for her daughter.
“My illness hasn’t gone away, but it has shaped the kind of nurse and business owner I have become,” she said.
“This is the most satisfying my nursing career has ever felt. I’m using what I’ve learnt professionally and personally to create the kind of care I wish I’d been given.”
About Sarah Bott
Sarah Bott is a registered nurse, qualified cosmetic injector and Cosmetique Coolbellup franchise partner in Western Australia. Her background includes postgraduate critical care qualifications and neonatal intensive care nursing.
About Cosmetique
Cosmetique is an Australian cosmetic clinic network with locations across Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales. Its services include cosmetic injectables such as lip fillers, dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers.
In 2025, Cosmetique launched a national franchise program. The company also operates the Ascent pathway, designed to help nurses transition from clinical practice into clinic ownership.
Learn more about the Cosmetique Ascent pathway or visit the Cosmetique website.