From Teaching to Property – How a Mentor Safeguards Your Career Move
When Sonika Kudhail, a former teacher and mother of two, decided to jump into the scary world of property development, she faced a daunting challenge.
At first glance, the industry seemed really male-dominated and complex, especially for someone without prior experience.
But that’s where I came in!
As her mentor, I was able to guide Sonika through the entire process and help her build a successful property business.
Within her first year of working with me, she has completed her first market-leading, design-led 5-bedroom HMO, and has secured a healthy pipeline, including a 10-bed HMO, and is confident in her business plan.
Sonika’s story is a true reflection of the power of mentorship and the grit and determination you need to make it work in the property development world.
Here’s a look over her journey with me so far:
Finding the right path
After leaving her career in teaching, having children, and starting up her own small business, Sonika initially struggled to find her place in the professional world – always feeling that something was ‘missing’.
Inspired by female property developers like myself on Instagram, Sonika made the decision to pursue property development.
Knowing she needed to start strong and safe, she chose me as her mentor. Through our property mentoring sessions, we identified that HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupations) would be the best starting point for her, given her goals and the current market conditions.
Building confidence
One of the most significant changes I’ve witnessed in Sonika is her growth in confidence.
When starting out in property, there are so many questions and uncertainties, which is why it’s SO important to have a trusted, experienced, and honest sounding board and support system in your corner.
After growing her knowledge, skill set and confidence, Sonika is now making informed decisions independently, a crucial skill for any property developer.
Crafting a meaningful brand
One thing I get asked a lot when people are starting out in business , especially on my Property & Business Coaching Program, is … what do I name my business? What is my brand?
And the answer to this comes through getting to know my mentees, their story, and their goals.
With Sonika and her business, we developed “Identity Places” – a brand name that resonates deeply with Sonika’s personal journey, her background in Psychology, and her business vision. This process of brand creation really helped Sonika connect with her purpose and stand out in the market.
If you want to know the full background behind the name, tune into my podcast episode where I speak to Sonika about her business and her experience so far.
Navigating the HMO process
With my guidance, Sonika has just successfully completed her first 5-bed, 5-ensuite HMO in a non-article four area.
Through our sessions, we tackled everything from deal sourcing to compliance, tenant management, and beyond.
Expanding horizons
Now armed with confidence, new skills, and a better understanding of the HMO creation process, Sonika is embarking on a much larger 12-bed HMO in Wolverhampton – so, big things on the horizon for her!
This scaling up in project size demonstrates just how far she’s come in a short time.
Her long-term vision includes becoming the go-to for luxury co-living spaces in her chosen investment area.
Embracing social media
Like all my mentees, I encouraged Sonika to share her journey on Instagram, helping her stay accountable, connect with like-minded individuals, and build her brand presence.
This has been a significant step for someone who describes herself as naturally private.
It might not seem important to some, including other mentors, but having conversations on marketing and brand, is really important to me, to get my mentees in a business-focused mindset.
So after 18 months in the world of property, what is Sonika’s advice to aspiring property developers?
“Get a mentor. It helps with due diligence, managing risk, and fast-tracking your education.”
As a property and business mentor, my goal is to always empower individuals just like Sonika to overcome their doubts, build successful property portfolios, and create brands that truly represent their vision.
By providing experienced guidance, emotional support, and practical strategies, I help my mentees navigate the complexities of property development and achieve their goals.
If you’re looking to start your property journey, start your business, or take your existing portfolio to the next level, remember: that with the right mentor and a determined mindset, you can transform your property dreams into reality. ✌🏻⚡️
Find out more about working with me and my mentoring programs here. 👈🏽
Don’t forget to listen to ‘Building Identity Places – Sonika’s First HMO’ on Spotify and Apple Podcasts NOW
