Behind the Scenes with Becky Dayton

Each month, "Behind the Scenes" features an interview with a leader in our community designed to provide readers a glimpse into his/her interests and passions inside and outside of the workplace

This month, "Behind the Scenes" sat down with Becky Dayton, owner of the Vermont Book Shop in Middlebury

Where did you grow up?

As a child I lived in Connecticut, in what was then a rural suburb of NYC, but I have lived in Addison County since my late teens and consider it my "hometown." I never return to CT and I don't think I'll ever leave here.

Where did you go to school?

Public, private, boarding, state university, UK uni, private university, small women's college... Where didn't I go to school? I like to say I took a buffet approach to my education. Were I to do it over, I'd make other choices, but I'm not sure it would impact the outcome: I possess the obligatory credentials and have a robust intellectual curiosity, to which all of the institutions I attended contributed.

First ever job?

I babysat and did other odd jobs as a kid, including passing hors d'oeuvres for Martha Stewart in the early days of her catering business, but the first job for which I received a W2 was answering phones at a midtown Manhattan buyer's side-only real estate office owned by two entrepreneurial, if ethically-challenged, women. Those ladies were sharks. Three months into that position, my parents bought a home in Cornwall and I high-tailed it out of New York, declaring it, "the worst place in the world."

Who was your greatest inspiration growing up?

I had an English teacher in boarding school with whom I had a complicated and, unfortunately, damaging relationship, but he inspired my passion for books and reading, so it would be disingenuous to ignore his outsized impact on my life.

Who do you most admire?

Idolatry or anything that smacks of hero worship is one of my great pet-peeves. I reserve my sincerest admiration for people close to me, whose faults I know, and whose achievements and values touch my life and my community. I especially admire my women friends who create and lead in Addison County. They are too many to list; our community is full of strong, capable women.

Favorite vacation spot?

Each year I return to a lakeside cabin in New Hampshire, the same one my family rented for many years of my late childhood and adolescence. For a week I do, in solitude, only what moves me: read on the dock, go for a run with my dog, explore the hilly terrain on my gravel bike, paddle my boat. I simultaneously wallow in nostalgia and indulge in who I am now.

Favorite TV Show/Movie?

I own a bookstore; I should claim I don't even own a TV, but I was raised by TV, in spite of my mother's prohibition. I still watch way too much of it. I have an outsized affection for The Great British Baking Show.

Typical work week?

Aside from the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, my work weeks are determined by store staffing levels (I'm fortunate to have a great team) and my task list. I typically work 4 days in the shop and one from home. I strive to have a rich and satisfying life outside work, so I protect my personal time pretty fiercely, but like most small business owners, it's on my mind 24/7. I do at least some work almost every day.

Biggest career challenge?

Definitely, the biggest challenge of my career was establishing my credibility and taking real ownership of a legacy business. It took more than ten years, but I eventually had the knowledge I needed in order to do the actual work that defines VBS.

Greatest risk taken in your career?

Oh, for sure, it was buying VBS with no relevant experience. Fortunately (up 'til now, would say my husband), it has worked out.

What's the one thing you would change about your industry/mission?

I'd abolish the Amazon monopoly and their stranglehold on publishing and bookselling.