International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women around the world. At Winkworth, there are exceptional women at every level of the business across the network’s 100 offices. Here they share insights they have gained as they build a career in property.
Winkworth’s Highbury and Islington’s area sales manager Katherine Long played cricket for England before moving into property. She has worked for Winkworth for over seven years.
She says: “While the job is heavily based around selling, the trust element is something I have learnt is equally important. I am still one of the youngest members in the office and being the area sales manager overseeing the day to day running of two offices, age is certainly just a number. However old or young you are, this job has sensational rewards, with something new happening every day.”
Playing cricket for England also provided some invaluable lessons that she applies to her career in property. “For many years, I’ve looked up to cricket legend Kevin Pietersen. While he has had his fair share of negativity in the press, his sheer talent for the game proved to me that if you stick by your passion, you can ride the rough with the smooth.
“I would love to keep progressing with Winkworth. We have one of the biggest franchises in the company and I hope to grow this even further with the help and support from the directors – and perhaps become one myself!”
Winkworth Fulham is owned and run by an eight-strong all-women team, with Faith Cook and Georgia Everton-Wallach the joint partner franchisees, who acquired the business at the beginning of this year after working there for a number of years.
Their team has a number of tips to pass on. Janie, property manager, recommends: “Have a calm termperament!” Alice, lettings admin and marketing, advises: ““When I started out, I took negative feedback as a form of criticism. Over the years, I have learnt that it is in fact a gift. It’s the best way to improve and turn your weaknesses into strengths.”
Poppy, lettings negotiator, said: “There’s no such thing as being too competitive! Our competitive nature in the office is what drives us to do well and generally spurs one another on.”
Amelia, lettings negotiator, says: “Put in the hours and the hard work pays off.”
Lilly, sales negotiator, agrees: “Always be proactive – and do with a smile on your face.”
At franchisee level, Winkworth is actively looking to recruit more entrepreneurial women to join an expanding female presence at owner level. For Faith Cook and Georgia Everton-Wallach, acquiring the Fulham franchise was the culmination of a long-held ambition – the first women estate agent owners in their patch of West London. Faith, who has been working in the property industry in the area for over ten years, ran the sales team at Fulham for five years and has been instrumental in turning the office into one of the top performers in the area. She focuses on the sales sides of the business. Georgia joined the Winkworth lettings team in 2015 and concentrates on building the lettings side.
They both feel they have learned important lessons during their career. Faith said: “You should always treat everyone you meet how you would wish to be treated – with respect and honesty. And always fight for what you believe in and persevere to achieve your goals, even if it is hard work getting there. It’ll be totally worth it in the end!”
Georgia added: “Never underestimate the commitment required to be successful. As my business partner Faith always says: “the hardest worker in the room will always do the best.”
Becoming the joint franchise owner of Winkworth Ferndown office in Dorset last year was the culmination of a property career which began at the age of 17 for Rosella Short. She has some advice for those starting out.
Rosella said: “Have the courage to take the risk and trust the process. It can feel daunting at times, especially when you’re young and just beginning. I was 17 when I started working in property in London for a notoriously competitive brand – and let’s not forget, in an industry usually dominated by males.
“Looking back, there were times when I doubted myself or played it safe because I was earning good money and had work stability. I have always been hugely ambitious but was in a way too successful for my own good, constantly achieving results for other people rather than myself, which certainly led to doubt over leaving that kind of security behind.
“When I did, everything changed. Nothing worth having comes without risk. Some of my decisions along the way haven’t been the right ones but plenty have and all those experiences have led me to be a franchise owner. I couldn’t have done that without learning from them along the way.
“Have the confidence and courage to be a forceful and independent business woman and you’ll go far in this industry. It’s a good feeling when you realise not to be scared of those risks!”
To find out more about careers at Winkworth, contact Lucy Britton on [email protected]