Street address: 23352 Courthouse Hwy

Phone number: 757-242-4770

Operating hours: 24 hours

E-mail address: don.wnd@consulatehealthcare.net

Nature of business: Skilled nursing and rehab facility

Principle owner/manager and title: Dawn Pope, director of clinical services. Consulate Management Company that specializes in long-term care facilities.

Year founded: 2000

Prior locations: We have numerous homes throughout Virginia as well as Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Number of employees: 120 employees

How’s business? Maintaining a high census through a good reputation in the community

One thing you wish everyone knew about your business: We are a nursing home that offers a short-term rehab unit and skilled care.

We have highly trained nurses and nurse techs and a fully operational rehab department offering physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Something you offer that a customer won’t find elsewhere:

We offer a caring homelike environment in the midst of a small town. We have high employee longevity due to the supportive environment that encourages employees to excel.

Advice to young entrepreneurs: To work in long-term care you must possess the following qualities: compassion, honesty, integrity, respect and passion.

Your first job: A waitress at local family owned restaurant

Your role model (in business or in life generally): My administrator, Esther Barksdale Francis, at the first nursing home I worked. I was a young nurse and inexperienced at being a supervisor, and she gave me a chance and taught me how to be a compassionate supervisor while getting the work done.

The key to a successful business is: Being able to meet the residents’ needs while exceeding their expectations.