RACHEL JOHNSON Director, Ashdan Estates
What did you set out to achieve this year?
For us, 2021 was our year to really expand and grow as a company. With only a couple of years “under our belt” within the property industry, and with one of those years filled with uncertainty and lockdowns, 2021 was our year to really push ourselves to our max and see where we wanted to take our company.
Has everything gone according to plan?
With the continuation of the uncertainty from 2020, our plan was put to the test, as were we! After a few months of waiting, we finally handed over the keys to a completed refurbishment property and received keys for our newest refurbishment project. Alongside this, we navigated a move to university for one of our team members and a Covid-19 case outbreak within our ranks. However, after attending courses, undertaking new learning experiences and communicating through Zoom within our own household, we still achieved many of our goals for the year.
How has the ongoing Covid crisis affected your business and how have you mitigated this?
The Covid-19 pandemic caused a lot of uncertainty. Alongside a worry for older family relatives, we had to navigate the unknown surrounding how the property market would react. The boom of the early 2021 market came at a great time for us, as we were at that time selling one of our finished properties and had another project in the pipeline waiting for us to get started on. However, the stamp duty holiday and its subsequent extension, left those in the property industry waiting. Local searches were delayed, solicitors and others were working with a multitude of caseloads and an unprecedented amount of house buyers were waiting for completion. This left us waiting as well. For us, all we could do was wait. We kept a good communication line open between us and our buyers, and with the vendor of our newest project. It was all we could do given the circumstances.
What are you most proud of this year?
We, as a team and a family unit, have continued to work strongly together. Even with a Covid-19 case for one team member and another preparing for a move to university, we have still managed to work together and continue our journey within the property industry. This for me, has made me proud.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received this year?
Working on yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally is just as good for you as it is for your business. I believe this to be true. If you, as a person, are not feeling your best and because of this, you’re not performing at your peak, your business will suffer. It may not be evident in the short-term but the long-term implications of this are visible. To make sure your business is working correctly and to the best of its ability, you must also be working to the best of your ability. Whether you do this through reading selfdevelopment books or listening to a podcast, exercising more, taking time for yourself etc. All of this leads to a better version of you. And this, in turn, leads to a better functioning business.
How has your team changed?
Our team has lost one of its cherished members. My younger brother, Ryan, has this year started his university journey and moved away from home. It was an adjustment, as we were in the final stages of completing a property refurbishment and his help was noticeably missing. But, he is starting his next journey in life, but will always have work with us and his place amongst the team here for him in his summer holidays!
What have you learnt about yourself this year?
2021 has been a year to remember. With the aftermath of 2020 and the Covid pandemic, 2021 has left me feeling a bit lost. There were moments of self-doubt and confusion for my future, but ultimately, I’ve found my way through it. My ability to work through this confusion, and come out the other side, does make me proud. It may be a cliché to say but my inner strength has really kept me going through not only the last year, but during the year before as well. This year has been one of positive self-growth and new learning experiences.
What’s been the most enjoyable business social event you have attended?
I recently started attending face-to-face events again and it’s safe to say that these were missed! Some of my favourites must be the networking event at Low Barns Nature Reserve, the social media experience in Durham and a visit to Beamish Hall. Describe 2021 in three words…
Confusing, uncertain, adaptable.
What does the remainder of the year hold?
The remainder of the year is filled with networking events, the growth of our social media and more learning to come with that, and the lead up to Christmas. For us as a family business, this time of year allows for us to start preparing for our Christmas festivities as a family and plan how we will start the year right come January 2022!
