10 Years Business Anniversary

Tempus fugit! How has it already been ten years? It feels like just yesterday I was designing our company logo. So much has evolved – both in the industry and in my own journey. Here’s a glimpse of the last decade.

Trials and Tribulations

There have been more challenges than I can count. It’s true what they say – entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. I came from a role in a FTSE 100 company, and I never imagined that being a business owner would be this tough. I had envisioned it as a path of boundless freedom, growth, and a touch of magic.

One of the hardest parts was getting started. How does one earn trust as an independent agent when established high-street agents are everywhere? Looking back, I realise I worked too hard and spent too much time feeling anxious and worried. The second toughest challenge was keeping the business afloat. I had a clear vision of what I wanted the company to be, but that image was shattered within weeks. When people say you’ll grow wings as you freefall… yes, I’ve lived that.

Amid all the uncertainty, one of my best decisions was to get formally trained through Propertymark. I completed both the Lettings and Sales qualifications as soon as possible, and they gave me the sense of control and confidence I needed.

Success

I’m proud of how I’ve managed to grow the company organically and, in the process, stay independent. When working solo, you quickly learn about your temperament and working style. For instance, I realised early on that franchising or partnership models were not right for me. That meant I had to learn everything the hard way, figuring things out on my own. But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Those early challenges helped shape who I am and the direction of the business.

The best thing about your 10 years?

It’s always rewarding to have tenants who appreciate the properties we manage, and to work with loyal clients who value what we do. Building relationships is key, and it’s been incredibly fulfilling to be that dependable point of contact, year after year.

Some of our tenants have even become landlord clients, and some of our landlord clients have transitioned into our sales clients. It’s a wonderful feeling to have earned that trust along the way.

Is running a business still interesting?

It is. I’m the type of person who thrives on continual learning, and in a small business, that’s a constant because you have to keep adapting. It can be exhausting at times, but having come from the corporate world, I appreciate that I can easily sign up to any courses and learn whatever I want.

As a business owner, I’ve realised that running a business is not the same as growing one. In fact, it became draining to constantly focus on growing to earn more and increase the property portfolio. While some people thrive on managing a team, I found it challenging because it takes you further away from the ‘ground-level’ experience—where you are no longer in direct contact with the properties or learning firsthand from contractors.

Recently, I’ve decided to step back and reflect on how I want to shape the future of Marybow. This kind of introspection and reimagining of the company keeps things fresh and exciting.

What are you looking forward to?

In terms of how I truly want to run Marybow, I’ve decided to put the pressure of ‘growth’ on pause for now. I’ve been taking the time to really define what success looks like for me personally, and for the business.

This year, I’ve gradually reduced my workload to create space for this reflection. As we approach the new year, I finally feel like I can focus on the quality of delivery and working on projects that truly inspire me.

Sometimes, you don’t see how much your vision for the business has become diluted. Getting to a sense of clarity is actually daunting, having to revisit my initial plans and dreams, but I’m excited for what the next chapter holds.

Are you celebrating the anniversary in some way?

Yes! I’m going on a celebratory trip to see the Marc Chagall exhibition in Vienna.

A big thank you to all our loyal clients and everyone who has made our business what it is today. Here’s to even more fun ahead!

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