Startup Spotlight: Virginia Dutton on Resilience & Following Your Heart

Virginia is the latest to satisfy our curiosity into the entrepreneurial journey, giving us an honest and authentic peek behind-the-scenes of how she kept moving forward even when it would have been easier to throw the towel in.

Why did you choose entrepreneurship over an employed role?

Virginia: “To be honest, I haven’t really considered employment but maybe that’s because I naturally lean towards a more independent way of thinking.  I really wanted the freedom to run my business the way I want to.  Plus coming from a background of certain health challenges (chronic fatigue, ME) I felt that it was important to conserve my energy as much as possible.  This approach has enabled me to focus more efficiently on the areas of my business that are the most important and relevant to what I want to achieve.  I don’t really get to have any holidays (at the moment) but on the other hand I can pick my working hours each day and manage my stress levels better so that I am not overwhelmed by things.”  

What's been your biggest challenge on your entrepreneurial journey and how did you overcome it?

 Virginia: “My biggest challenge without doubt has been the pandemic and the economic instability that came with it.  It has honestly been like starting my business from scratch all over again.  It was relentless, dogged determination that got me through it.  Writing down to-do lists of what I needed to do each day, and trying to achieve even very small wins even when I was feeling quite down and on the verge of throwing the towel in.”

What have you achieved that you are most proud of?

Virginia: “That I’ve still got a business!! Seriously, I’ve seen so many small businesses go under over the last few years, that I count myself lucky as still being here.”

Which of your personal attributes do you think have contributed to your success as a business owner?

Virginia: “Being resilient. Remaining calm in adversity and trying to think things through rather just reacting to stuff as it happens.  Being stubborn, determined.  I don’t know really - I just try to achieve something each day, even if it’s quite small.  I think it all adds up in the end.”

What's the biggest lesson you have learned on this journey?

Virginia: “Listen to advice but follow your own heart.  Think about things, don’t believe what people say!  Question everything, look at different points of view but remain true to yourself.”

How do you create work-life balance?

Virginia: “That’s an easy one for me!  Since my health is the most important thing to me (it’s difficult to be an entrepreneur if your health is not good) I do all my health stuff first thing in the morning.  Then I know that whatever the day throws at me at least I’ve still got my health and can live to fight another day! Oh, and I make sure to eat at least one good, home prepared meal each day!

Who has inspired you the most on your business journey? 

 Virginia: “Basically anyone who has done what I am trying to achieve in my own business.  It’s interesting to see how people overcome adversity for example and go on to change their lives around.  It’s not where you start but where you end up, I guess…”

Is there anyone whose help and support of you has been critical in building your resilience as a business owner?

 Virginia: “Lots of people have helped me along the way, but I think my partner, Martin, has been incredibly supportive in terms of helping me build resilience and not giving up when things get a bit rough.  I also think you need a bit of luck in business.”

 If you could give three pieces of advice to someone starting up, or considering starting up a new business; what would they be?

Virginia:

“1.  Commit to genuinely how many hours you are going to work each day and stick to it even if some days you don’t feel like showing up!

“2.  Write a to-do list each morning.  It really helps to tick things off each day so that you feel a certain sense of achievement.

“3.  This maybe should have been number 1 but the thing I stick to is to do the most important things first each day.  So, for me, it’s firstly to take care of my own health, then write a to-do list for the day.  I try to do things in batches, so the easy things that can be done quickly I do first before moving on to the more ‘meatier’ stuff I need to do.  I try to also include something that’s important for the future development of the business too, so that I’m not just doing stuff for the sake of doing it.”

Virginia and Regenerative Health Clinic have benefitted from funded support available via Staffordshire County Council with the Get Started and Grow Scheme. We have recently published a case study which explains how this has aided her business journey, which you can read here.