Check Out Vanessa Gavin-Headen’s Story

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

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Since I was young, I wanted to be a clothing designer. I also liked science. When I left for college I majored in biology but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Many of my classmates wanted to go to medical school but I did not. I got interested in public health so after graduation, I entered a master’s program in public health and met my mentor. She is a family physician and she told me I should consider going to medical school because we need more Black female physicians. After I went home and told my parents of my life changing news, I applied to medical school. I followed in her footsteps and became a family physician. I enjoyed treating my patients and improve their health for over 25 years but the desire to be a clothing designer never left. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that I decided on a scrubs line. Physicians were wearing scrubs daily now and I got the chance to hear some complaints and experience some of my own. I felt my waistband was too big and I had too much extra space. I realized, it was the same issue that I have always experienced — I had to buy a slightly larger size to accommodate my hips and butt. This is when my idea for a line of scrubs for curvy women started to take shape.
I started taking online classes and reading what I could about starting a clothing line. I wanted to start building my business while I was still working so that when I retired, my idea was already in place.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been smooth. I did not have any formal training in business or fashion design. I have never run a company. There have been errors along the way. Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know and that can cost you. Trying to find the right fabric takes time as does getting samples made. I initially tried to get fabric and samples from overseas. Once my samples arrived, I immediately knew that dealing with overseas manufacturers would make this project more difficult for someone without experience in starting a clothing line.

Learning about social media was a challenge for me. I did not do Instagram nor Facebook before starting this business. I didn’t have time and was not keen on putting myself out for all to see on social media. That was really something for me to get used to doing however I feel I am getting better every day.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I worked as a family physician for 25 years. I spent my time teaching people about healthy lifestyles and treating chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. I appreciated helping my patients understand their medical issues and they knew I had their best interest at heart. I am proud that my patients had the utmost trust in me. I have been told I have a way of motivating patients to do better. This is why I became a physician, to help make people’s lives better.

What makes you happy?
I felt happy when my patients medical problems improved or they made changes in their lives and were doing better. Physicians want their patients to do well, this makes us happy. This is why we do what we do.

Now, that I have moved into my second chapter as an entrepreneur running my clothing line, it makes me happy to know that women find that they like they way my scrubs look and fit. It makes me happy to know that after 45 years of holding this dream, I finally get a chance to fulfill it.

Beyond my profession and my new career, being grateful for my blessings makes me happy. Spending time with friends and family and taking care of myself makes me happy. Following the path that God has laid out for me makes me happy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.valmasi.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/valmasibydrvanessa
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/valmasibydrvanessa
• Youtube: http://youtube.com/@valmasibydrvanessa

Image Credits
Rebecca Alleyne
Rolanda Condon
Kaila Hines
Seyha Meas
Alyssa Saraceno
Denise Smith
Angela Weathers