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EI: My mother was a visionary before her time. Bringing up 4 children on her own in the London in the 80’s was no easy feat. In the 70s, women were not allowed to own property in their own name and the house she brought with her own money, but in my fathers name was lost by him. She had to start again on her own with us kids. She worked hard, she struggled but she never gave up. My mother put me through school, university and I became a Chartered Accountant working for the prestigious banks in the City.Being homeless in my early childhood made me appreciate having a roof over my head. It made me appreciate everyday things that most would take for granted. Property has been my love from an early age. Providing people with a roof over their heads, a lovely place in which they can call home provides me excitement. It is also my passion, finding a wreck, a project that I can get my teeth into and turn an ugly duckling, a rough diamond into a swan and an amazing home that can be enjoyed for many years to come.When I worked in the city, it was dominated by men. Times are changing and more roles are being created for women. Property too has many women now breaking into roles and setting up their own businesses. It is a great to see and long may this continue.Property is a great investment to leave and pass on to your family. It is tangible and a legacy that can be passed onto generations to come.
RB: What major challenges did you face when setting up your business and how did you overcome them?
EI: Previously when I started in property it was a hobby, something I did in my spare time alongside my job in the city. Working in banking, I knew that I needed something to supplement my pension and property to me was that asset. I later found that I could turn my hobby into a business and support me when I decided to leave the city. The initial challenge I would say was having the ability to have a structure in terms of planning my time, my business plan and staying motivated during hard times. Success is never a straight line and people do not see the phone calls, the work behind the scenes, the meetings and having good friends and a strong network has helped me enormously – small networks work best.
RB:Who has been the greatest influence on you since starting your venture and why?
EI: See question 1.
RB: What is the vision for your business and where do you see yourself 5 years from now.
EI:I have been fortunate enough to travel abroad from China to Peru, from Nepal to the US to Cambodia, to the Middle East to Vietnam to Kenya and many times to the Caribbean. I could go on. I have seen some wonderful places and met some wonderful people I would like to continue to travel and have my business run itself. Maybe spend 6 months abroad and 6 months in the UK.