"Two Thirds of the Staff Left on a Tuesday Morning": Debbie Mitchell on Building a Business, Selling It Right, and Why 18% Isn't Good Enough

In this episode of Scale HER Up, I'm joined by Debbie Mitchell, director of Atholl Scott Financial Services — an independent financial planning firm in Aberdeen with a 60-year history behind it.

In September 1999, Debbie went into work as normal. By the time she went home, she was the director. Her boss and his wife had left without warning that Tuesday morning, and the CA firm partners called her to say she was now running things.

There were lots of tears. A significant amount of wine. Her sister drove to the office after work every night for admin. Her husband was in charge of pizzas and filing. And Debbie called every single client personally.

Twenty-five years later, she's sold the business, she's president-elect of the Chartered Insurance Institute, and she still gets imposter syndrome — though she's old enough now not to let it stop her.

We cover:

- What Atholl Scott Financial Services does and how it was built

- The September Tuesday morning that changed everything

- Why client loyalty belongs to the brand, not the person — and what that's worth

- Selling the business: why she took the lowest offer on the table

- The three Cs that mattered more than money: clients, colleagues, compliance

- Advice for anyone thinking about exit planning — start with what it looks like, not what it's worth

- What she's doing now: CII president 2027, performing arts charity chair, travel, and a very full life

- Why only 18% of financial planners are female — and why she thinks that's about to change

- Running the business with a papoose strapped to her front. Also caring for both parents. Also being the only woman in the room.

- The self-belief message she most wants to leave behind

**Quote of the episode:** *"Absolutely believe in yourself. You are so able, so capable, so brilliant. Self-belief is what's important."* — Debbie Mitchell

If you've ever wondered what it takes to build something, sell it well, and still have a full life on the other side — this is the episode for you.