What does your support network look like?
On your path to becoming a property developer, one thing you’ll need for sure is a really strong support system in place. Whether it’s made up of family, friends, professional support, or industry peers – it’s just important that you surround yourself with knowledgeable, encouraging, and positive people. This profession can be bumpy at times, and it’s nice to have those friendly faces around to help pick you up and push you forward.
As a female property developer in particular, I’ve found that we tend to seek a much more personal and emotional approach to building our support circles. Placing a big emphasis on feeling connected, safe, and trusting of who we confide in. And when we do talk, we want to be able to talk about it ALL! Let’s not pretend that the struggles and juggles we’ve been talking about this week don’t exist, and that they won’t impact our work, because they will. Whoever is in your support network, they’ll need to totally get that too.
People often ask me actually, “who do you get support and encouragement from?” and it’s from an assortment of circles really. Support to me isn’t just about getting practical business advice – in growing my network of friends in the industry, I’ve found a lot of really valuable motivation and support came just from small messages of encouragement. As a newbie to the industry, the thing that stood out to me the most was the kindness I received from the very few female property developers out there at the time.
Just by surrounding yourself with positive influences can impact your career more than you think. Take this week of #KEEPITREAL posts for example, I have been INUNDATED with messages from other women (and a few guys too 👋) feeling seen for once – and I am so here for it! As women we have a unique mindset, and we get each others challenges, so we have to use that to better support each other and build each other up.
Here’s a little insight into the support systems and circles I have utilised over the years (besides from my wonderful family and friends of course) to aid my own growth. Not everything here might be right for you at the moment (or ever) and that’s totally OK – you’ve always got to follow your own path:
Social media ⚡
Isn’t it amazing that you can now network from the comfort of your own sofa? Using your mobile phone to build new friendships, and create some really incredible and unique opportunities for yourself. It really is the modern-day way of networking – the clue’s in the name ‘social media’ I guess – and it’s all about being social and engaged!
This is basically how I started out, after jumping on Instagram at the start of 2018. I dived straight into the online property world by following the people and accounts that inspired me the most. Surrounding myself with that positive energy, and being exposed to a regular stream of top-quality posts, definitely kept me motivated during my earlier days.
I’ve found that the key to building a great network through social media is to find the people that are your ‘vibe’ and who are going through similar situations as you – you’ll enjoy their content much more, and probably be able to take much more value from them.
I mean, it’s the same as anything in life really, if you find that someone has a positive effect on your mood and confidence then you need to keep them around! If they make you feel demotivated, icky, or rubbish, well… then it’s time to reevaluate if they are worth the place in your world and IG feed.
My top accounts to follow for inspiration, for female business women in particular (but not specifically for property development), would probably have to be:
Over time, I have grown SO many amazing friendships and working relationships through Instagram. The platform has opened up so many doors and exciting projects for me, and I honestly don’t know what I would do without it! You can read my very first blog about my online journey and the accounts that really inspired me at the time. My top tips for property developers looking to network on Instagram would probably have to be:
- Only follow the people and accounts that you are genuinely inspired by, and whose content or work you take value from
- Utilise relevant industry hashtags to find people who you can relate to
- Don’t be dormant. Engage and interact with your followers as much as you can – but make those interactions genuine too (no spamming!)
- Take inspiration, but don’t compare – remember that social media is often a highlight reel, and the majority of people have a lot more struggles than they post about!
- Don’t just focus on finding/following/connecting with people in the property world, there’s lots more inspiration to be found out there
- Just be yourself, and share good shit!
Property Sisters and my Insta Fam have been totally invaluable to me, and have stopped me from going insane, as it can be such a lonely place on your own.
– Vicky, V H Martin Investments
Group support ⚡
I am one of the hosts of The HMO Mastermind – which is essentially a unique culture of forward-thinking property investors, working in collaboration to achieve their goals and build profitable, sustainable, and ethical HMO property businesses.
This is something that myself and Andy Graham felt was much-needed in the property industry. A place where like minded and passionate people come together to bounce ideas off each other, cheer each other on, and keep each other accountable to their goals.
Whilst this group is made up of really experienced investors, they still face issues that they have to talk through with the rest of the group. No matter how successful you are, no one person can ever know it all – but we’ve found that in a large group system like this, there’s always someone who’s bound to be able to help.
Really think about what kind of support will benefit your business, and you as a business owner, and invest in yourself.
Being part of the HMO mastermind is amazing ! The people in the group are truly inspirational and I love being able to share ideas and challenges so that we can all grow and drive our businesses forward. Most of my success in business has come from having a fantastic support network of like minded people that constantly inspire me!
– Emma, IKON Property
If you are a sole business owner, it can be very lonely at times. The HMO Mastermind provides support, accountability, inspiration and learning!
– Clair, Blue Sky Spaces
I think it’s important to have someone provide an external view to your issues alongside accessing the thoughts of experienced investors who may have been in a similar situation. I’m part of the HMO Mastermind and I find making the time to sit down and talk about areas of my business that I need help on to really help me. Property can be a lonely journey, don’t go it alone when there are so many of us in the same position who can support you.
– Emma, Stylish Living
HMO Mastermind has connected me with amazing and supportive people. Hearing everyone else’s highs and lows, encouragement and trouble shooting has helped me massively as you learn so much from other people.
– Vicky, V H Martin Investments
The richness of the people to us is the most important thing about The HMO Mastermind. People coming from so many different backgrounds and experiences, business or property. Just by talking about our business we take a step forward. And despite all the technology that is surrounding our world, we actually don’t talk through the phone anymore! So a bit of human side is always good. Jade and Andy are very available to us if we need to and can guide us. When we are in our business it is difficult to see the best path / route to take, whereas from someone who doesn’t know it as much it might be obvious for them to see what needs to be done.
We are also part of other support networks too. Property Sisters UK offers really good support, there is always someone who has experienced what someone else is currently struggling with. Bee is part of a very small accountability group of 6 women. It is more intimate and if feels good to feel supported every day.
– Bee, BeeVee Property
Professional tailored support ⚡
The thing with being a property developer is that we take calculated risks daily, we deal with large amounts of money, have important documents to sign, make sure to stay on the right side of law, take time and care of the humans that pay us their hard-earned cash as rent – and that’s a lot of pressure, and a lot of moving parts. You only need one of those parts to go wrong and you’re in trouble.
This is where a mentor really kicks into force! A sounding board to say ‘look, it’s OK, do this’ or ‘don’t worry that happened to me too, and this was the outcome’. You can’t really put a value on that type of experienced guidance and support.
Events ⚡
I get that it’s sometimes hard as a female property developer to build up the courage to attend property events, when you just know they’ll be dominated by suited-up men. It can be intimidating and off-putting – and I don’t know about you, but that type of vibe just doesn’t suit me at all!
I’ve been really selective about which events I’ve attended in my time as a property developer – which I think has only helped me in growing genuine connections with the people I’ve met. The female-exclusive events in particular really showed me that women shine so differently in that kind of safe and open environment.
I think it’s important as a newbie on the scene that you don’t get caught up in the whole pressures of networking and feeling pushed into attending every event you can think of. Seek out the events that you feel will really add value to your business or life, and that you feel excited by.
As soon as COVID lets me, I will start to host my own all female networking events, as it’s so powerful when we all get together! Just look at our #BRANDEDPROPERTYEVENT for an idea on what type of thing will be in store.
Can we support each other better? ⚡
I’ve loved the conversations that have come out of this week, and to hear so many of you say that they felt understood, supported, and really appreciative that we took the time to create these posts.
It definitely highlights that as female property developers, we’re definitely in need of that place we can own for ourselves. I think we can do much better, and build something that changes the culture of the industry for good.
I’m working really hard behind-the-scenes with my teams to create something next-level that will (fingers crossed) be a bit of a game changer for the ladies of the industry! But I do want to hear from you, about what you think could be done to improve things – it’s important you speak up and share your insight.
I would like to see us carry on building what we are currently creating on Insta – a more supportive community, as opposed to large organisations that are selling faceless training.
– Clair, Blue Sky Spaces
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The more experienced you become, the greater the chances are that your developments will get bigger too – hello, fresh set of challenges you’ve never been through before! But guess what? I bet someone in your support network has. So get building your crew!
And, if you’ve read everything I’ve had to say about mentorship and feel like that’s the next right step for you and your property business, then make sure to keep watching my account as I’ll be officially launching my new females-only mentorship program ‘Redesigning the Property Industry’ soon, and I’ll share everything you need to know about that!
