Women in Business - Jayne Leighton Herd

Mary Fraser speaks to Jayne Leighton Herd from Chez-Vous Property Services Limited. Jayne set up her business in January this year.

What is your business?
My business is finding suitable property within the Berkshire and surrounding areas for buyers and tenants. I work by taking a complete brief from my clients to ensure that I find the right property for them. Factors discussed with the client will include property preference, budget, lifestyle and location. My job is to save clients the research, the legwork, the wasted time viewing unsuitable properties and I remove the stress from the property process! I concentrate mainly in the residential market and the service offered is very much tailored to the needs and requirements of the client.

What do you enjoy most / least about running your business?
I really enjoy being able to help people with the whole property finding process and I particularly enjoy being able to help them save time and money too! I enjoy being able to make the difference by providing exceptional customer service through Chez Vous Property Services. For me, customer satisfaction plays a big part in my business.

As a relatively new business, part of the challenge is acquiring all the other skills that come with running a business. I find that running a business requires many different skills. I work hard at being organised and tend to keep things in perspective and find that this adds well to the skill set!

What about estate agents, any conflict between them and you?
None, in fact I have a good business relationship with several estate agents within the area. There is no conflict of interest as estate agents work solely for sellers, while my clients are buyers. I bring estate agents the benefit of being focused about exactly what sort of property I am looking for on behalf of my clients. Estate agents waste a lot of time and money with people who aren't sure what sort of property they really want, or with those who simply want to look round other peoples' houses. With me they get a property professional who has a real client looking for a defined property.

What is the best business advice you’ve been given since you started?
If you are doing what makes you happy and you feel passionate about it – what have you got to lose – go for it!

What advice would you give to people working for themselves?
Take advantage of the support network out there for new businesses. There is plenty of help available. It all helps to build stronger business relationships.

What is your best achievement this year to date and what are you most proud of?
Acquiring my first client and I’m proud that my business idea works so well.

What has been your greatest risk taken?
Leaving the comfort zone of corporate life and taking the plunge to set up my own business.

What do you hope to achieve in your business this year?
I hope to achieve the goals I set for the business and myself at the start of the year. I hope to achieve a successful first year in business.

What’s your favourite colour?
Purple

Where would you recommend as an ideal holiday location?
New Zealand and Iceland

What made you smile recently?
My 2-year-old Goddaughter … she always makes me smile.

Who or what inspires you?
I take inspiration from many things, for example, art and books. Being creative inspires me and I take much inspiration from graphic design. As an abstract artist I particularly enjoy painting, as well as running a business. Art is a big part of my life and me.

Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with?
Emm … I think it would be Peter Jones (from Dragons Den). I like his approach and I think I could learn a lot about business by talking to him.

Anything else about Jayne?
I also offer a ‘home stage’ service through Chez Vous Property Services. Many vendors and landlords use this to help sell their property. Home staging, sometimes known as house doctoring is becoming very popular here in the UK.

Thank you Jayne

Anyone wishing to contact Jayne about property finding services in Berkshire may do so via email.
enquiries@chez-vous.biz
Website: www.chez-vous.biz

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