PEOPLE
any women who had done this before me…run a business, employed people and worked as a clinical dentist all at the same time and of course in my case managed a family of three girls and a busy husband. It was absolutely a juggling act that I had to make up as I went along.”
Above: Susan pictured third from left with specialist in endodontics Anna Bate, oral surgeon Tamara Khayatt and general dentist Gillian Siggers; Below: Stephanie’s granny inspired her career choice
STEPHANIE SHEARING is the events and marketing manager for Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID); www.salisburybid.co.uk “When I was 19 I had no idea what I want to do, I did a National Diploma in IT at Salisbury College just to keep learning, and when it came to applying for university, I thought what on earth am I going to do? Then my grandma said, ‘You like planning parties. Can you do a degree in that?” And low and behold Event Management was that course and then my career, so I owe everything to my Grandma Muriel. “Fortunately, I haven’t experienced much sexism at work, but when I sign off my emails ‘Kind regards Steph”, I often get an email back saying ‘Hello Stephen’, so I’m aware the assumption is I’d be a man.”
Director Kate (right) with senior sales designer Hania Southwell
“Working in the City of London and for large corporates the environment was largely male dominated, whereas in the Health and Social Care sector there are many more women, therefore bringing more balance to my life. “It is an industry I would encourage other women into. It is about the ability to listen and think creatively and about how care is delivered. To develop such services that help people is hugely rewarding.”
ISABEL DE LA HAYE is managing director of Ashley Grange Nursing Home, Lode Hill, Downton, Salisbury. tel: 01725 512811; www.ashleygrange.co.uk Isabel used to work in a maledominated corporate environment
CLAIRE WHITEHEAD is managing director of Cranborne Garden Centre. Wimborne Street, Cranborne, Wimborne. tel: 01725 517248; www.cranbornegardencentre.co.uk “Having been to an all-girls school in Salisbury, I remember being surprised at university at how much more confident the boys were to have their voices heard than the girls, even if they didn’t have anything particularly interesting to say. To a greater or lesser extent, I think this is sometimes still the case in the workplace and we all need to encourage women to become more confident in having their voices heard. “The construction industry remains a male dominated world, but I learnt early on that it was important to be yourself and to have the confidence to bring a more female outlook into the work environment and I think this has helped me a great deal. This industry toughened me up a bit, which has been an advantage now that I’m running my own business.” KATE STACEY is director of at.twenty.one. interiors, 21 Catherine Street, Salisbury. tel: 01722 238177; www.attwentyoneinteriors.co.uk “Even in this day and age it can still be harder for women to succeed, so any successful businesswoman no matter how big or small the company, is an inspiration to me. Also as a woman in the construction industry I have to make sure I know exactly what I’m talking about to be taken seriously. Our business can be quite technical and it is vital that we understand to a high level. One thing I have learned and would say to others is “use your personality – people buy from people.” w www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 57