Life & Work with Vanessa Gavin-Headen of Carson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Gavin-Headen.

Hi Vanessa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always been interested in clothing and fashion and wanted to design clothes since I was a young girl, however I didn’t know the path to get there. I always knew I would go to college but I felt like it would be for something more traditional. I decided to major in biology while in college, however, I wasn’t interested in medical school so I went to graduate school and got a master’s degree in public health. While in graduate school I met my mentor who is a family physician, she told me I should apply to medical school. She said we needed more physicians that looked like me. I worked in public health for a year and then went to medical school. I practiced as a family physician for 25 years. I enjoyed working with my patients to help them become as healthy as they could, but my desire never left me. I still wanted to be a clothing designer. It took many years to realize this path through medicine led me to my current interest, to design clothing for medical professionals. The information I have gathered over the years regarding the problems women have with the fit of their clothes has motivated me to create this line and fulfill my dream. Valmasi, scrubs designed with curvy women in mind. I have attempted to combine fit, function and style in my clothes. My goal was to create a line of scrubs to address fit issues that some women have with their scrubs and have them look stylish. I tell people I believe God told me that I could be a clothing designer but He needed me to be a doctor first. I am following in the path that was laid out for me.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been smooth. Most new entrepreneurs have troubles. I have felt like I am going in circles at times. I had trademark issues with my original name. It was too similar to something else and got a cease and desist letter so I had to change. It was a little scary receiving that letter from the company’s attorney. I also started this process during COVID and finding fabric and resources were a little more difficult since many places were shut down or virtual. Now that we have moved past the pandemic, I can reflect back and see certain things I would have done differently. Working on all aspects of my business is rough especially while learning as you are going through it. Asking more questions before spending money might have prevented some problems (like having to redo my website or hiring the wrong consultants.)

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a family physician and I like talking to patients and sharing educational information to help improve their health. Family physicians, like other primary care physicians, take care of the bulk of the medical issues that most people have. We develop a long term relationship with our patients and try to make their lives as healthy as they can be. It is a two way relationship and we try to encourage our patients to take responsibility in making those necessary lifestyle changes. It can be difficult but I enjoy it. I feel more education is always helpful for better understanding. I think that sets me apart from many other physicians. Not all feel as strongly as I do when it comes to explaining things fully to their patients or taking the time to do so. I really wanted to make sure my patients were comfortable with the treatment plan before leaving.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One of my earlier attempts at sales was participating in a multilevel marketing company. While I knew I wanted to do something else in my life, that was not it. Valmasi, a MADE IN USA brand, came to be due to all of experiences in my life. I did not want to be a physician when I was going through college. If I had not listened to my mentor when she told me to become a physician, Valmasi, a culmination of over 45 years worth of dreams and work, probably would not have been realized. I believe everything that happens to us has a reason and a lesson, we just have to find it.

Pricing:

• Scrub Shirt $60
• Scrub Pants $72
• Scrub Jogger $72

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.valmasi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valmasibydrvanessa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valmasibydrvanessa
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/valmasibydrvanessa
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/valmasibydrvanessa
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/valmasibydrvanessa

Image Credits
Photos by Tony Brown Photography