JUSTINE MITCHELL

Director of Chamomile Sanctuary

Back in 2005, I left my career in law and decided to move in a different direction, redeveloping properties with my husband.

That was until my life completely changed in 2008.

My dad [Eddie Thompson, former owner of Dundee United] had cancer and I was going to visit him with my husband and our two kids. We had a 13-month old baby, and my husband’s daughter from a previous marriage who was 10 at the time.

We wanted the kids to have a last goodbye with my dad, but my husband Ken decided to go on his motorbike. During the journey I was in the car in front of him when he came off the bike and died, I saw the whole thing. Three days later, my dad died.

I was on the floor and didn’t know what was coming next for me or how I was going to make it to the next day. But I did. As a mother, I had no option but to manage. I’m a strong person and always have been. When times get tough you find that strength and resilience somewhere.

I definitely think that shows the strength of women.

At the time, Ken’s first wife was a beauty therapist and I had this crazy idea to go into business together, but I genuinely believed there was a gap in the market for us. A couple of weeks later, we had found our property.

It’s given me a second family, a new life. I work in an all-female team and it’s not difficult at all, they’re all great girls who look out for each other. I think sometimes because women struggle with confidence, we need that support system.

It’s important to remind women how amazing they are.

It’s been a really difficult and emotional journey for me to get to where I am but I know there are so many other incredible and strong women out there.