Behind the Business
Name : HELENA HEAL
Job title : MORTGAGE ADVISER
Business name : H & D MORTGAGES
What does your business do ? H & D mortgages is a family run business based in the heart of Sussex , offering advice and assistance throughout the mortgage process - and beyond .
Tell us how your business started ? I , and my co-founder Dan Mills , have been working in the financial services sector for over 30 years . Last year we saw an opportunity to combine our skills and experience to set up in business together . With hindsight we should have done it years ago !
How many staff do you have ? A very hard working team of 4 - at the moment .
What makes your business different from your competitors ? Our extensive presence in the social media arena – financial services is not always the most exciting sector but we ensure we stay visible and approachable to our current and future clients .
What is your motto in business ? Be the best you can be
What three pieces of advice would you give someone looking to start their own business ? Know your product and marketplace . Keep it simple Be prepared for hard work and long hours - if it was easy , everybody would be self-employed .
What is the biggest challenge facing start ups in 2016 ? Uncertainty . In times of change , most clients want stability . The property market has had to cope with many challenges this year and the fallout from the EU referendum result will continue to impact on all businesses in this country and further afield , for years to come . As most of us realised on 23rd June , however , the sky did not fall in and we have to stay positive and focused – if you have the right attitude , you can overcome anything . As some Greek bloke once said , “ The only thing that is constant is change ”.
Where do you see your business going in the next five or ten years ? As a newly branded business , it would be foolish to expand too quickly – even if the demand for our services is increasing at a healthier rate than expected . We believe slow and steady wins the race in our industry . At the moment , I ’ m enjoying the thrill of running a thriving business and I ’ m focused on achieving my goals , but I would like to think that our business could grow steadily both in terms of staff and clients , in the future , whilst maintaining our high standards .
What does the future hold for you personally ? I would love to travel more , now that my children are getting more independent ; and I am keen to get more involved in some charities with whom I have recently worked . I know how lucky I am and it seems right to make sure that luck is more evenly spread .
What do you do to relax ? Yoga
Who has been / is the most influential person in your life ? I ’ ve been fortunate to have some truly incredible people in my life to guide , help and support me . But I ’ d have to say – my husband , Sean .
What is the most important piece of advice you ’ ve received and who was it from ? “ If you can ’ t say anything positive then don ’ t say anything at all ” – my Mum !
What is the biggest challenge your business faces ? So- called “ robo ” mortgage advice companies are predicted to threaten traditional mortgage brokers in the future , in the same way that Uber challenges the livelihoods of taxi drivers and Airbnb has impacted on the profits of traditional hoteliers . As with so many industries , we must ensure that we keep up with technology and consumers ’ evolving expectations , and adjust our business model accordingly .
What do you need to be successful ? Hunger , honesty and luck . Don ’ t be afraid to roll your sleeves up when needed . You can ’ t expect others to follow if you won ’ t lead from the front . Always tell it like it is – you ’ ll only get found out in the end so why waste yours , and more importantly your clients ’ time . We all need a bit of luck along the way . The trick is to be humble when it comes your way .
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