International Women's Day Interview with Gail Irvine from Dynamo Healthcare
Gail Irvine is founder and director of Dynamo Healthcare Training, a specialist provider based in Cornwall, focused on supporting the local Health, Social Care and Voluntary sectors. In our latest International Women's Day interview, she shares her experience of building and growing a business and her passion for supporting and nurturing her teams.
Gail Irvine is founder and director of Dynamo Healthcare Training, a specialist provider based in Cornwall, focused on supporting the local Health, Social Care and Voluntary sectors. In 2016, she was a finalist and named runner-up in the South West Young Director of the year, for the Institute of Directors (IOD) Awards.
Can you tell us a little bit more about your background?
My career started as a social worker, then care manager for people with learning disabilities, I moved into education at Thames Valley University as a curriculum manager before setting up my own training companies 10 years ago. Throughout my life, I have experienced a lot of poor managers and poorly run teams, except two female managers within my career who really inspired me to succeed and achieve. Strong confident women can achieve so much and inspire other women to realise their full potential.
What has been your proudest achievement so far?
Ten years ago in April 2009, I set up my first business and since then I have developed 3 companies all while raising two children on my own. It has been the toughest ten years but also the most amazing. There are times when you think you cannot carry on, but everyone can achieve far more than they believe they can. I was also a finalist and runner up, at the 2016 South West Young Director of the year, for the Institute of Directors(IOD)
If you were to turn back time and give yourself one piece of advice before you started your business what would it be?
Take care of yourself, be kind to yourself, be mindful, always believe, never give up.
The theme for International Women’s Day this year is #balanceforbetter what do you think businesses can do to help achieve this? Are there steps that you are taking in your own business to achieve greater balance?
Business should ensure staff wellbeing and support is provided. Staff are the greatest resource and must be nurtured always. Staff should feel valued, included and involved. Health and wellbeing must be incorporated within business strategies. It improves productivity.
In our International Women’s Day Interviews series, we also spoke with Amanda Winwood, founder of Made For Life Organics, Katherine George, founder of Oh So Social, Vickie Heaney founder of Vickie Heaney Printmaking, and Emily Stevenson from Beach Guardian. Keep your eyes on our news stories as we share the experiences of more local business women and entrepreneurs over the coming day.
Business should ensure staff wellbeing and support is provided. Staff are the greatest resource and must be nurtured always. Staff should feel valued, included and involved. Health and wellbeing must be incorporated within business strategies. It improves productivity.
