Director's Circle - Victoria Beck, Whitsunday Orthodontic Specialists.
Launching a business can be daunting enough – but getting all the prep work done during the 2020 COVID lockdown, in anticipation for opening that same year, that takes some courage! But that’s exactly what Dr Victoria Beck did– and it has been so exciting to be on this journey with her. Not only is her new practice – Whitsunday Orthodontic Specialists – thriving, she’s taking this whole “new business owner” thing so calmly, we had to dig a bit deeper.
Why did you decide to start your own business? After finding myself at a loose-end nearing the end of maternity leave, I had been looking at opportunities to work as a contractor, both locally in Mackay and also as fly-in/fly-out to Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast. I was about to sign on for a Sunshine Coast practice two days a week when COVID hit, and the idea of flying every week and spending time away from my family here in Mackay wasn't going to work. It was at that time when my partner said something that really resonated with me - "Why work so hard again for someone else's gain? Why not just do it for yourself so you can reap the rewards for working so hard?". So very slowly, Whitsunday Orthodontic Specialists began to come to life.
What was the biggest surprise for you about starting a new business? The amazing local support! Having worked at another practice here in Mackay for 6 and a half years already, I had built some wonderful relationships with local families and dentists. I was amazed and humbled that, after having my books open for only a few weeks, I was full of new patient consultations until the end of 2020! I think Mackay is possibly the only place I could have opened a new orthodontic practice and be booked out months ahead almost straight away!
What habits help you to run your business more effectively? I try to be organised and deal with things as soon as they come across my desk. I hate double handling tasks and having to come back to it later. I am slowly learning to delegate more, and my staff are proving they are quite capable - if I just let go!
Describe yourself in one word. Determined
What do you to do to recharge when you’re feeling drained? I go for a run. In my spare time, I am a trail runner, sponsored by The North Face. I love getting out for a run, it's such a good time to just let my mind wander or process things and I always come back home feeling re-energised.
What habits help with your life-work balance? I have every Friday off and finish work early on a Wednesday. I try to leave work every day by 4:30 so I can pick my son up from daycare. I do struggle with not checking my emails when I'm not at work though - I need to work on that!
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? An Olympic athlete or a Police Dog Handler!
Find out more about Whitsunday Orthodontic Specialists on their website or Facebook.