“IF you never try then you’ll never know. Don’t live with regrets.” That was the philosophy instilled in Tracey Campbell, general manager of Aston Hotel in Darlington, from a young age.

Growing up in Chilton, County Durham, she watched both of her parents work hard for their living. “My mum worked in the factories and my father worked on the motorways, they were both really determined people so it must be in the genes!”

Driven to make the most of herself Tracey tried hard at school, leaving with A and B grades, went to Surrey Hill college, and then into the world of hospitality where she became a chef. “It really, really is a hard job. I loved being a chef because there’s instant job satisfaction when you see what you have put on a plate but it is a tough slog.

“You had to prove yourself and prove your worth. It was a very male dominated environment, it is 100 per cent better now, but at the time I really had to make my mark.”

After years working in kitchens she gave birth to a daughter and quit to dedicate herself to the new challenge of being a mother. “I loved being a stay at home mum, but I knew within days that I couldn’t do it forever.

“I was out of a job for two and a half years but I had to keep myself busy all the time. I used to bake for the neighbours just so I had something to do!

“When I decided to come back to hospitality I started as a part time as a room attendant and just steadily worked my way up to managing a hotel. It was a bit weird at first coming in and realising I had a whole building of guests and staff to look after, but after the initial learning curve I got used to it.

“I do get up every morning thinking I really enjoy what I do and I suppose there aren’t many people who can say that.”

While many working mums find it difficult to balance their two lives, Tracey has always managed to keep them separate, even when her daughter, Paula, started working for her.

“Every time I went for promotion I sat down with my family and discussed it, what it would mean for them, if they were ok with me being around less. I couldn’t have done what I’ve done without their support.

“My daughter came in as a pot washer one weekend when we were short staffed and that was it. She left school, went to college and then came to me one day and said: I want to work in hospitality.

“I told her it would be hard but she was determined so she started off waiting tables and now she is the restaurant supervisor.

“There was never any question of her getting special treatment because I was the manager; my staff would have mutinied if I’d pulled any strings! She does get a bit of a harder time than the rest of them, but otherwise we keep our home and work lives separate. She moved out a couple of years ago which I guess helps.”

Even now, having proven herself twice, and having gone from changing dirty sheets to managing a hotel in just four years, there is no question of slowing down for Tracey.

“I want to keep working for as long as I can. I’ve come so far, so as long as I enjoy it there’s no question of giving up.

“I would like to be an operations manager having two or three hotels to oversee. When I’ve thought: that’s what I would like to do, then it’s only a matter of time until I try it. As I always say, if you never try, then you’ll never know.”