PM Collective - The ART of property management
The ART of property management with Ashleigh Goodchild is a leading platform supporting collaboration not competition through an online community and events throughout the year with one purpose: to create happier property managers. She creates connections for property managers looking to create momentum in their careers and personal life. Join Ashleigh and her guests as they discuss challenges, struggles, mental health, mindset and give advice to property managers and anyone in the industry. To get the support in your property management career, join our PM Collective Facebook and Instagram community.
PM Collective - The ART of property management
Career Leaps and New Beginnings
Alicia McCulloch shares her experience transitioning from property manager to licensee and soon-to-be co-owner of Mandurah City Real Estate, offering insights on business partnerships, growth strategies, and balancing work with family commitments.
• Finding the right business partner with similar life circumstances but complementary skills
• Choosing partnership over solo ownership to share responsibilities and create work-life balance
• Building and leveraging a personal brand when transitioning between roles
• Evolving the property management role to focus on relationships rather than transactions
• Setting aggressive growth goals while maintaining quality service
• Using offshore assistance strategically to handle routine tasks
• Balancing business ownership with family responsibilities
• Considering how business branding impacts expansion potential
• The value of continuous learning and professional development
• Embracing opportunities with a "say yes and figure it out later" mindset
Remember to connect with us at Coffee and Conversations to build your professional network and potentially find your future business partners!
PM COLLECTIVE - GUIDE AND SHAPE AN ENJOYABLE FUTURE
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today we have a friend and guest of mine coming in to have a chat, and that is alicia mcculloch. Welcome, alicia, thank you. Now. I haven't seen you since, um, a lot's happened in your world, so I have been refraining from asking you all those questions that I want to ask. Uh, so I can ask you uh, on on record, um, but today's topic is going to be changing offices, changing energy, which has just recently happened to you. So we're going to start off with you giving a bit of a brief history of where you are now and where you were, where your career has been as well.
Speaker 2:Yeah, not a problem. So I have recently just started with Mandurah City Real Estate as the licensee and soon to be co-owner. We're just, you know, finalising those little things, so that will be very exciting. I've just come from a role where Fabi was there for, I think, two and a half years and I started that property management portfolio from scratch. So that was very interesting, learnt a lot. But I've been in the industry I think I worked it out to be like over 14 years, so since I was 17. So done everything from reception all the way up to licensee.
Speaker 1:And how long ago did you do your diploma, like your licensee course?
Speaker 2:I'm going to say maybe four or five years ago. I've had it a little while and I kind of have been licensee on and off when needed for an old, old agency, and then it wasn't needed in my previous one because obviously they had the licensee. And then in this role, that's where I am, because I feel that the licensee is also part of being like the compliance and the checking and crossing the T's and dotting the I's and I love that. I love nitpicking, yeah, if that's the right word for it.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, I love having that. Yeah, excellent, I love how you're using those what can be perceived as negative traits as a positive in the business, so that's a good. Maybe we'll try and find another word for nitpicking. Yeah, we need a more professional way of saying it Correct, correct, yeah, and we did a podcast a couple of weeks ago on controlling behaviour, which was actually a really popular one, so that was the word that came to mind but how you can use controlling in a positive as well, because it is a good trait to have. You want to have it, you don't want to not have it, but it's yeah, it's a balance. So would it be safe to say that if you did your course four years ago, it was always a plan that you would have some sort of ownership of a role or a business Like. Was that always a plan 100%?
Speaker 2:I am always, I'd say, like a go-getter, like I always want to strive for more. I also love learning and I think if you're not learning you're going backwards. So that was part of it. I love I want to know everything. I've even contemplated going to uni for property because I just want to keep learning. So that's on the card still, but yeah, it definitely was always a plan. The biggest hurdle that kind of has postponed it is financial. I've got three young kids. We've had, you know, some personal things we had to do. So that was probably the biggest delayer, and now everything's kind of come to fruition, which is exciting.
Speaker 1:Excellent. I need to quickly share a quick story about going to uni, because I was through that stage as well. Like we both got a similar personality like that, and last year I had enrolled in uni because I was just feeling like I needed to learn more. And I had a friend say to me Ash, you've been speaking about having this one of these coaches for a long time, and it's not a real estate industry coach, it was just someone like a business coach. She's like why are you not doing that? You've been talking about it for like three years. Why are you doing uni and not that? And so I decided to work and spend the money that it was going to cost me for uni and invested that into a business coach. And I'll have to say that actually was one of the best decisions that I made. So I'm just throwing it out there that if you're feeling that need also potentially look at that option as well.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean that makes sense because I think I don't necessarily need the uni degree in my realm.
Speaker 1:Yeah interesting Because mine was a social impact I can't remember the name of it, a diploma in social impact, and that was a thing that one of my friends, vanessa, said to me. She goes Ash, but you're doing that anyway in the business. Like why are you doing it? I was like I don't know, maybe I've missed something, maybe there's something more I need to know about it. She's like no, you're doing that every day, like go find something else to push you. You're doing that every day, like go find something else to push you.
Speaker 2:So yeah, anyway, and also not necessarily like the learning part in property or in real estate, because I also love learning about different ways and like how CEOs do things and time management and all the things. So just everything.
Speaker 1:Yeah, excellent. It's always good to have a learning and a curious brain. For sure, was there a reason that you decided to go down the road of joining forces with someone as opposed to starting from scratch? Did that thought go through your mind, and can you talk us through that, because there'll be a lot of people thinking the same?
Speaker 2:Definitely so. Yes, that was my biggest contender, that I needed to know Cause I know I can do it by myself, that's not a doubt, but I didn't want to. Um, I want. I've got a young family so I want to be able to go away. I want to be able to not have everything on my shoulders and share, share the burden. I don't know, I guess it's probably what I've seen. I've seen business owners get absolutely burnt out because everything is on their shoulders and I just didn't want that. I wanted a more sustainable. Whilst your agency is small, you can do it yourself, but as the growth comes, I think it's better to have that, and we've all got a different set of skills, so honing in on those and supporting each other and just being bigger and better.
Speaker 1:I think that's actually really important because we've got a few people in our shared network and they are on their own and actually, if you think about it, they do stress a bit when it comes to holidays not having anyone they can just divert the phone to, so that makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 2:So that might have influenced yeah definitely was a big influence and I think maybe if my children were older it wouldn't be such a big deal. But like I've got a two-year-old, seven and 11, like they have school activities, they want to go away, they get sick, so just having that support and vice versa was really important, which I never would have done a few years ago. A few years ago I would have been too arrogant to share, I guess. Yeah, but no, definitely everything happens at the right time and yeah it was. The biggest issue was just that the biggest reason for choosing to join forces is the support.
Speaker 1:Yeah, now how do you find someone to join Like, is it through, like, were you friends first and then business? Or was it a cold, cold arrangement? Like, how do people find, like, if someone is out there wanting to join forces with someone, what should they be doing?
Speaker 2:Well, we were friends first, but more so through the industry as well. We did meet before the industry, but not, you know, they've relocated a lot, so but I don't know, it just kind of naturally happened at a Coffee and Conversations, to be honest, and just I always said I would never go into business with people because that was always. But I guess I found the right people and it just worked. Hoping, watch this space. It was just a natural conversation, that kind of happened. But you need to make sure it's the right person and we're in very similar stages in our lives, which I think is important, like Talia and Liam, like they have three kids as well as me, and like it's just a very, very similar which works Same but different as well, because you don't want to be too similar.
Speaker 1:Yeah, correct. No, that's right, so yeah, so it sounds like it'd be similar or same values, but just different task. Yeah, definitely. So that's good. I actually know they had three children. So there you go, I learnt that. Are they older or younger?
Speaker 2:Oh gosh, now you're going to get me in trouble. They have one the same age as my youngest daughter, because they'll go to school in the same year, yeah, and then they have a little bit older teenagers than mine, so I think maybe like 15. Oh, a big gap 13 or 12, around that.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Yeah, I always find it weird when people have big gaps. I mean, even your kids have a big gap.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I found I had to have my gap if I wanted my career. I had, I didn't plan any, but I had another when one went to kindy, so I never had more than one at home at the same time because I couldn't pay daycare on multiple.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:I can't wait for my youngest to go to. We go to the private school in Mandurah because it is a quarter the cost.
Speaker 1:Even though you have to pay for it, it's still a quarter of yeah, A quarter of the cost of daycare 2027,.
Speaker 2:Watch this space, See.
Speaker 1:I was of the thought no, I want to have all the kids together, to get it out of the way. But we did have to transition. So we started with daycare with the first one and then, when we had two that needed care, we transitioned to a nanny. I think it was because that was cheaper than going to daycare for two kids. And then, when we had three kids, we transitioned to an au pair because then that was even cheaper. I think we did it that way, or maybe we did the au pair and then the nanny, I can't remember, but it was yeah, that ended up best being cheaper. So our au pair at the time, we gave her a room and everything like that and then it was like an extra $150 a week. I know, I mean, you've got to live with someone, yeah, but that's okay, yeah, for the event, yeah. So in comparison to daycare, you can imagine, wow, okay.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so that's how we transitioned, but then, yeah, got it all in one hit.
Speaker 2:so that then I think you either have them really close or have a decent gap, and I definitely see the positives of having them close, because my issue was I just got one out of nappies and all of that and then you're back starting again. So that was a bit tedious, but I am done, done.
Speaker 1:Yeah, everyone normally is after the third, it's like, yeah, it's like a little trigger, isn't it? Yeah, no more. The grace came and I'm done. The grace came and I'm done. Okay. So when you so we've spoken about what you, you know how that sort of transitioned into finding someone that compliments you, how did you then work out the timing of it? Is it just like following your gut a little bit and going?
Speaker 2:No, it was all about April. I had annual leave booked for Easter with my children and I did give my previous employer a month's notice because I felt horrible leaving. I did I, I I'm not one to kind of jump around employment and I just I don't know, I don't like it, it scares me. Um, and I loved working there. It's just I wanted to go on. So, no, I just gave a month's notice cause I felt that was fair. I really wanted it was purely I wanted to do end of month for her for that, and then I'd leave.
Speaker 1:So speaking of jumping, I know that I'm now jumping different questions, but they're just interesting when they come up. I've just been doing a webinar for a corporate client over East and it's interesting the movement of people, because I think that we seek loyalty so much in businesses and our generation like loyalty is the main thing, but I don't think loyalty is something that really needs to be focused on and I don't think I am as worried about resumes, having people jump unnecessarily, because I think that's just people in general and I think as business owners, we need to just get used to this whole like getting rid of this loyalty thing and just chase progression and, in a way, looking after our team members as best we can for whatever time they're with us and then when they're done, they're done and not taking it so personally.
Speaker 2:Definitely, but also making you, making sure you set up your systems and your office a way that understands that that's going to happen. So, for example, what I did wrong in my previous one is on each of my email templates I wrote in my name. It wasn't a merge field. So then I had to go in and change it all. To be generic, I didn't have to, but that was nice for my previous employer, because you don't want to then have your names going out on things. So that was really annoying. And like having offshore assistance so they carry a lot of the work instead of having. Don't be too reliant on the property managers Obviously still need them, yeah, but just having other support measures in place. That it's not the end of the world when they give their notice.
Speaker 1:Because evidently they're going to.
Speaker 2:And you do get some that stay for 10, 15 years, but not that common anymore.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I agree, I think we need to change our mind shift and I'm of the same thought that in my role these days, while I'm not actively managing property, I am there to put out spot fires.
Speaker 1:And I think if a property manager can get to that point where they're not necessarily actively managing their day-to-day transactional stuff but they're there to put out the spot fires, so you know, spot fires might be neighbour complaints that have come through or I don't know something a bit more tricky, like that is the role, and then have the offshore doing those day-to-day. And yeah, I agree, like it's. It is a bit of a control thing getting used to it, but it's different. It's different but it's so important because you can't, you can't, um. I see so many people stress about employment and recruitment and I just think that you, um, if you're struggling with recruitment and finding people, then there's sometimes there's not much you can do in that space. So the polar opposite of doing that is just have some really good automations that take everything through so you're not ever in a rush. Definitely.
Speaker 2:And just yeah, I think, the role of a property manager. This is very off topic, but has changed dramatically. I think it's more relationship manager my goal is to have once we get to that stage is to have an offshore assistant doing like 80% of the work. I don't want to do it. I don't want to do it anymore, but also you don't need to. I'd rather have my time on dollar productive or relationship-based tasks than chasing up rent arrears unless it escalates or responding to an email inquiry or things like that. So just definitely a mindset change. But also we want to implement that earlier on in our business, so that you're starting in the way you mean to go on, instead of then trying to change it later on.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah exactly so the business that you are working with. How long were they operating for before you jumped in?
Speaker 2:I think it was about six months, but they weren't actually actively operating. I would say they've only really started this year, february, march, realistically Okay. So whilst yes, they had their license open, I don't think they weren't actually trying just yet.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so what are the first steps that you have taken? Like, talk me through what, like the first you know first one to two weeks looks like stepping into a new role. I haven't done it for 23 years, so I'm curious to see how it's changed.
Speaker 2:I think it's just going back to those relationship base, letting everybody know, basically screaming from the rooftops, that you have now changed, obviously changing all your socials Mine wasn't too bad with the socials, as we said. I've got I've learned from you that it's good to have a strong personal brand and that's been very evident in this change. You might have to change a few things, but still keeping that personal brand. Connecting with all of your referral partners and just setting up really referral partners are the biggest thing you want to get that communication open with and socials are probably the biggest thing.
Speaker 1:Doing things like this, going on podcasts, screaming it from the rooftops that you're here, and you're here to help, yeah, and then when you've done that, I guess the focus for you is going to be growth. So it'll just continue to yeah definitely Growth is.
Speaker 2:we want to be quite aggressive with our growth. So definitely that is the first thing that we want and that's a matter of we're in the discussions on it now, about going back to, you know, the old school letterbox drops, door knockings and just calling everybody cold calling. I've never called cold and I'm going to do it. I am, I'm going to do it. I'll let you know how it goes. Good on you. I've got an incentive to do it. You know it's not. I don't think I could cold call for someone else's business because I don't like doing it.
Speaker 2:Well, I don't know if I like doing it.
Speaker 1:Well, it's the motivation. That, and the analogy that I once heard and I like this one is that you could be completely scared of flying, for example, and never fly, but then if one of your children is stuck overseas and you need to get to them, you're going to get on that plane, aren't you? Because the motivation is there to get there despite your fears. So that's exactly the same with you. For me, I'd call it a fear cold calling. I really don't like cold calling, but if it meant that I was going to I don't know potentially lose my house over it, sure I'll do some cold calling, but the motivation has to be strong and that's all that shining through, yeah, definitely.
Speaker 2:And I love I think you said something ages ago and it was like you just say yes to everything and figure it out later, and that's just. That's literally what's got us to this situation. So good, Just yes, Just figure it out later.
Speaker 1:People don't say yes enough.
Speaker 2:No, I say yes, but I also I love doing things not planned, so like not knowing the questions today or not knowing anything is better, because I'm just. I think if I know things in advance, I fret over them and I overthink it, whereas if I know things in advance, I fret over them and I overthink it, whereas if I just get it, just talk on the spot, I don't know. Yeah, free flow it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, it's definitely my style, so happy with that has anything surprised you good or bad with the transition?
Speaker 2:Nothing bad. Yeah, I'm sure there will be, and I'm sure there will be teething issues and you know it's just having open communication with all parties. No, I don't know yet. It might be a bit early to tell.
Speaker 1:No, I don't know yet. And how has your mental health been with like? Have you found it stressful? Have you been pretty good?
Speaker 2:been with like, have you found it stressful? Have you been pretty good? So the my notice period at my previous employer, I hated it because I hate. I love being there, but I just I know it's coming and you know you're leaving and I just I, yeah, that was a bit tough and being in a bit you're a bit stuck, like you want to be starting your own business and very excited for that, but you're held back because you've got to finish this off. So that was a bit tough. Also had a lot of family birthdays and Easter and school holidays for April and that was just tough. But no, I'm excited. Yeah, no, my mental health's pretty good. I've gone through stages and I think it's just knowing the signs and knowing when you need to slow down or knowing you know different things.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and now I guess one thing that I gosh, I hope you can't hear my stomach rumbling through that microphone, because I haven't had breakfast yet and I can hear it. I'm like that microphone is pretty close to my stomach, so hopefully that didn't come through.
Speaker 1:People are like who's groaning in the background. That's right. And also, I didn't have a coffee too early, because normally I have a coffee, but like I've been like a bit sinusy so I tried not to have that and I think that's probably what I'm missing this morning. Anyway, the last question that I've got for you and I guess this is also probably, you know, an advice thing as well for you, knowing you personally, knowing that you're very similar as me is that we are always chasing the next goal and the next thing, and it's interesting because you've been chasing the ownership role for so long.
Speaker 1:So now that you've got it I mean you did touch on how like you're already thinking about uni, but I guess that's something that it's great, but it also like concerns me because I've got the same thing and I've never just been settled and just going. I've reached my goal tick, and let me enjoy that for a while. So, apart sort of from uni or like the further studying or coaching, do you have any goals or plans for the business that you are wanting to sort of hit in the first 12 months? Is it just going to be like continuing to grow that portfolio? Do you want to expand. You know what I mean. Like, is there anything that you've started talking about or thinking about?
Speaker 2:Definitely so, whilst I did a post this morning on it. So, whilst our name is Mantra City Real Estate, we do pretty much we will expand as far as we can. So we're not really saying no to areas unless it's just not viable. So, yeah, definitely growth. And then, yeah, we just I'd want to be at at least a hundred properties, like by the end of the like the 12 months, definitely, and just no, just growing as big as we possibly can. My personal goal is to be able to take my kids to Bali. Yeah, so I'd love to do that. Or overseas, yeah.
Speaker 1:Have they been overseas before? Never Haven't they.
Speaker 2:My husband's never been overseas Really, yeah, so it'll be really. I guess and that was a big contender in doing not the contender doing my own business was having that higher earning potential versus being a property manager to be able to do these things. So, yeah, I just want to head down, bum up, grow, you know, as much as we possibly can.
Speaker 1:Well, I think that's a good goal, having that overseas holiday, and I mean there's ways that you can work that into a tax deductible holiday, definitely Correct. You've got the CPD points. I think you were one that had messaged me about the Bali retreat for property managers, so I've actually had about three or four people ask about that one, so there was a bit of interest. So I will start looking at that. I've got this next one to deal with first, which is for consultants and trainers, and then going to the property manager. I think I mean I like creating opportunities like that.
Speaker 1:If someone said to me, ash, like there's a few of us that really want to go over to Paris for a holiday, I'm like, darn, I'll create an event over there, let's do it, let's do it. That's right. So because, if I mean, they're easy to arrange relatively. So I think anything like that it just helps the, it helps you enjoy the process a lot more. Something that I learned from the Reword Connect and it's been mentioned to me before, but I've, but it's always been in the back of my mind, but it's those sprints, and Gavin Rubinstein actually was talking about how he has a holiday booked every three months and I would love to get to that point where, like at the moment I'm probably doing every six or 12 months, but I'd love to get to that point of just every three months you have a holiday which is a bit indulgent, I feel every three months you have a holiday which is a bit indulgent, I feel.
Speaker 2:Well, I'm hoping it'll make me feel less guilty and you're probably the same with your kids, Like I. As I said before we started, my seven-year-old is so grumpy at me for working all the time and I never do anything when I do a lot for her and I'm around and I might be working on the computer, watching her sports, whatever, but I'm there. So by having those taking I think you might have said it when you take your kids away, you're showing them that it's worth it. Yeah, Like this is why mum works. Yeah, so also that's probably a good goal for me taking them overseas, because I think she'll soon be very happy for mum to work when she gets to go and do things.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so having that positive as well for the kids and also I think it's like those micro moments as well, like it doesn't actually have to be every single day, that you know it might be once a week or something, that you know the children get an hour of quality time with you or whatever it is. It's, yeah, kids are pretty resilient and they do need to understand, understand, yeah, working parents One thing I've been having big discussions with Millie about so she's 16 and I've had this chat with Lindsay as well it's interesting for kids and it's been on my mind constantly about how what we're doing is affecting them, you know, for when they get older, whether it's money mindset or whether it's the working environment. And it's interesting that, like I'm sure sometimes my kids think that I'm unemployed. The way they have me running around, like it's like guys, don't you know that I have work to do? Like seriously, when do you think I want to do it?
Speaker 1:And I, yeah, I say to Millie quite often I say, mill, the ability that I have to, you know, maybe pick you up from school, take you at 3.30 to get your eyebrows done, take you to Yochi at four o'clock, whatever it is, pick up something for you during the day. You take it for granted. But there are so many people out there that the majority can't just leave their job to go and do that during the day. Yet we're bringing the children up just to think that this is normal, that that's what parents do. So now I'm worried about them going into the workforce. They're just going to have this expectation with their boss, like why can't I pop down to the shops at lunchtime to go grab something? Don't you ever think about that?
Speaker 2:I, I have, because I do agree, because in property management, even on a property management level, most bosses are fairly flexible in terms of doing things and for your kids that's all they've known, also you being the owner. So, yeah, it's a bit. Hopefully they also then see you working hard to counteract that. Yeah, and I guess once they get older and have to get jobs of their own, it'll be a good awakening for them. Yeah, put her into property manager.
Speaker 1:Well, I've tried. She's not interested when she's listening to a phone call in the car. I hang up and she's like why didn't you just hang up on them when they started speaking like that? I was like Mill, because you can't.
Speaker 2:You can't do that. You can if, but you won't have a business for very long, correct, correct.
Speaker 1:So yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 2:I just find it interesting with, yeah, how the kids perceive us and it's hard because the alternative is some children never see a working parent at all Correct, and then that's, I guess, how sometimes it can continue on. Yeah, it's just finding that balance and I don't think we'll ever get it right and we'll always think we're doing it wrong, but that means we actually care. Yeah, let me know what to figure it out.
Speaker 1:That's right means we actually care. So let me know what to figure it out.
Speaker 2:I've got a few years so you can just test it and let me know the dot points of what I need to do.
Speaker 1:Last question, and I don't know if you can answer this or not, but do you think that having a specific name like Mandurah City Real Estate is going to affect with new business? Has that come up?
Speaker 2:That's our biggest question at the moment. I love the name, I love that it's specific, but it also is an issue with growth in other locations. Yeah, so we are in the middle of discussions with that. We're talking about whether we identify as MCRE in other, like with a logo, with that in other areas, so that it's not in your face Mandra City. It still is, but isn't in your face, don't know. I think so, but we don't know yet, because that is definitely a discussion point.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, no, just because when you just mentioned it about sort of going everywhere, and it reminded me we even had a new client who has got a property in Meadow Springs and we I mean, we look after about 400 properties down in that region, so we've got plenty. But he was wanting our fees scheduled. But then he said, are you sure you're okay to manage it because you're an hour away? And I was like, yeah, yeah, our office is, you know, central, but we do an hour south and hour north and my team lived down that way. So that was all fine. But yeah, I just got me thinking we've got a pretty generic name. So if people are questioning that, yeah, yeah, we have to see that because, yeah, definitely has been discussion.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I like the idea of MCRE though, because then it's just, yeah, like you said, it's not in your face, it still represents something. So if actually, because SoCo is South Perth Como, like the actual trading name or business, well it's MI Real Estate, but then trading as SoCo Realty, but SoCo actually represents South Perth Como, so it's the same thing that MCRE would be as well, and I think MCRE is.
Speaker 2:We're in discussions with it, but I think that that's the easiest way to have that expansion without having too much of a headache.
Speaker 1:Yeah, interesting. Yeah, there you go. Well, it was lovely to catch up with you. It's a great way to catch up over a recording and just a general coffee to see what's going up. So I appreciate you coming in today and sharing that, and I think that there's a lot of people out there who are in the same position, you know. Maybe they want to start their own. So I would say probably the first step would be to get your licence and to do that extra training or course whatever's relevant for your area. It's not going to hurt having it whether you use it or not. Not at all. I think everybody should have it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I agree, what you learn in your registration is not enough. I think everybody should have to have their diploma.
Speaker 1:Yeah, second tip would probably be coming to shameless plug, coming to Coffee and Conversations. Oh, yes, coming to shameless plug, coming to Coffee and Conversations. But that's how you sort of connect with either like-minded people, people that there is a synergy with people that you know. Maybe over two years, five years, 10 years, you build those relationships and that trust with your colleagues to see if you can work together. And it doesn't even have to be from a business ownership. It could be that someone's in property management, someone's in sales, someone does one area, someone does the other area. So, finding those synergies, I think, yeah, coffee's catch-ups are a great place to do that.
Speaker 2:And you never know, you might meet your business partner. That's right.
Speaker 1:Start promoting that as a dating, a business dating website. And then the third tip would probably be probably what you've been doing keeping a good, strong personal brand. It sounds like that's been a real seamless way, that it's not been stressful. You know what I mean. Like you, just you just quickly change over it, tweak a couple of things, but your brand's your brand. It stays with you forever, wherever you are.
Speaker 2:Definitely. Personal brand is a big thing. I'm working on a website.
Speaker 1:Amazing. You've been saying it for ages and I finally have done it.
Speaker 2:Well, working on it. So yeah, personal brand is everything and that's for anybody. You don't have to be a senior, you don't have to be a licensee. You can be a receptionist and still have a personal brand. You can be a receptionist and still have a personal brand.
Speaker 1:So everybody, yeah, check out, sam's done a good website. Yes, I like hers. Yeah, so just to get some inspiration of that. So what Alicia's talking about is a personal website, so would yours just be aliciamcarlickcomau? Yeah, mine's actually Good Child. Mine doesn't actually have anything on it at the moment, but for me I just use it as a bit of like a landing page, so then it can redirect people to, you know, the real estate, or to PN Collective or whatever. So it doesn't have to be an in-depth website.
Speaker 1:No, not at all, it's just a place for people to search you, for you to come up in the SEO and yeah, and it's yours, you own it, yep. Wherever you are Exactly, take it with you. That's right, amazing. Thank you so much. I'm sure there's a lot of people getting a lot out of that today. So I appreciate your time and if you've got any questions or fan mail because sometimes I get fan mail feel free to send it through and I can always ask Alicia any questions or talk about it on the next podcast. Beautiful Thanks for having me.
