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Five years ago, I was where you are now. Nervous and fearful about making the step up to principal, even though I had 15 years of being a successful agent under my belt, writes Lindy Harris.
But, at nearly 50 years old, this was my “now or never” moment — and I didn’t want to live a life full of regret. So I gathered my courage and leapt.
I’ve never looked back.
It hasn’t been easy. There’s long hours and hard work involved. But the reward has been second to none — and I’m not talking about the financial gain.
Running your own business is empowering. Every day, I get to put the key in my front door knowing that I get to do things my way. I love how my team is proud to come in and work for me.
And, as a result of the culture we’ve created, One Agency Lindy Harris is a resounding success. We’ve got a phenomenal 51 per cent market share in Singleton, a small town in NSW.
So, what’s my advice for those of you looking to make the transition?
You need the right mindset
Making the jump from employee to business owner can be a daunting prospect. You continuously question whether or not you’re doing the right thing.
So, how do you gain the confidence and the courage to step up?
By surrounding yourself with the right people who help you grow and expand your mindset.
I’ve got a great business coach and real estate coach in my network. They’ve been there supporting me every single step of my journey from agent to principal.
You need the right support
Opening your own agency can be complex and overwhelming, especially with all the paperwork and legislative requirements.
One Agency were invaluable to me throughout this entire process. They made the transition easy, holding my hand throughout. No matter how small the question, they were always there whenever I needed them.
And that’s the thing. Having the right support around you from the start means you don’t have to learn everything the hard way.
You need solid foundations
To succeed, your agency needs to be built on solid financial foundations. That means keeping your overheads low and defending your revenue so you can maximise your profits.
Here are four ways you can do that:
- Regularly look for ways of reducing your running costs – such as shopping around for cheaper rent and electricity
- Join a group that doesn’t require you to pay commission to head office
- Focus on building a rent roll – so you have a reliable income whatever the market does
- Be good to buyers – so when it’s their time to sell, you’re the only one they call
The first six months of my agency were challenging. But now, I’m living my best life every day. You could, too — if you move past your fears to pursue your dream.
Lindy Harris is the principal of One Agency Lindy Harris.
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