From Engineering Projects to Property Investment

Engineering taught me precision and persistence. I spent a decade overseeing million-pound builds across Northern Ireland, keeping teams on track and costs under control. Despite enjoying the challenge, my family’s entrepreneurial spirit called to me. My parents both had their own businesses, as did my grandparents on both sides.
When I first considered property investing as a business route, it just felt right. It was scary to think about “throwing my degree away” but after many conversations and late nights talking with my husband at the kitchen table, I realised it was right for me and most importantly, it was right for my family as well. My three kids were a massive part of my decision making. Lots of lessons have been learned along the way and I want to share some of them to help you take your first steps out of employment.

Lesson 1: Map Out Essentials, Then Act
My engineer’s instinct urged me to draft a perfect business plan, complete with cash-flow charts and risk assessments. Really, this is a form of procrastinating. I did what I was comfortable with and it made me feel like I was doing something productive. The truth was that I wasn’t. I was afraid but after a few strong conversations, a lot of helpful podcasts and I put my big girl pants on and started to take action. This was a very empowering moment. I refocused on three simple questions:

● Who will benefit from my expertise?
● What problem do they face right now?
● Which small action can I test today?

I offered one free consultation to a friend. That conversation cost me an afternoon and confirmed people valued my insights. I took great confidence from this meeting and to be honest, it brought me to tears when I got home. The tears were a sense of relief and happiness. This was actually happening and I really new that I could do it. I started to really believe in myself. From there I moved forward, took action and NI Property Girl was born soon after.

Lesson 2: Create Genuine Connections
Corporate meetings taught me about reporting lines. Entrepreneurship relies on real conversations. I spent an unbelievable amount of time networking. Physical in the room networking and a huge amount on social media. This set the tone for the future. Social media has not only helped build my business from a customer point of view but from a connection perspective, it has been massive. People are watching and listening. Ignore the likes and comments, keep your eye on the views and be as real as you can be.

● Get into a small circle that believes in your vision.
● Swap advice, recommend resources, offer help.
● Give value first - relationships grow from there.

I made many connections and some that have become close friends and others have become amazing advisors for me. Women helping other women is an incredible force and when done right, I believe it is unstoppable.

Lesson 3: Design Your Own Rhythm
Trading full-time hours for your own schedule won’t magically balance work and life. I mixed site visits with school runs, arranged client calls around bedtime stories and blocked out family meals where work stays closed.

● Batch tasks—content creation on Mondays, calls on Wednesdays.
● Protect non-work hours firmly.
● Use a shared calendar and simple timers to stay focused.

Don’t fool yourself that you’ll be doing less hours…You won’t. Be prepared for more hours, more stress but greater satisfaction - Remember that it’s yours and you are building something for the future. 5 years in and I still have late nights working and I don’t know another business owner that doesn’t. It became my passion and my obsession in life. I just love it.

Lesson 4: Treat Setbacks as Lessons
Not every property deal closes. Some events attract just a handful of attendees. I’ve experienced both. Each disappointment revealed an opportunity to refine my process.This is a continuous process and should be welcomed not feared.

● A failed offer highlighted a missing clause in my contract.
● A quiet webinar taught me to sharpen my message.
● A slow month prompted me to revisit pricing.

After each stumble I asked myself, What did that teach me? Then I moved forward. Stuff goes wrong, just don’t start with blame - Start with sorting the issues, the why and how to make sure it doesn’t happen again comes after. This is something I preach and practice in my own business.

Lesson 5: Share Your Real Story
Your journey resonates when you reveal your doubts alongside your wins. When I wrote about almost shelving NI Property Girl during a tough month, I heard from dozens of women who’d paused their own goals. That honest post led to new clients and deeper trust with my audience.

● Commit to sharing one candid update every month.
● Invite others to share their stories too.
● Remember vulnerability creates connection, not weakness.

This is not an easy thing to do. It’s only a few lines in this blog but it is a big deal. You don’t have to share your personal life, I have even stopped doing that myself. That doesn’t mean that you can’t be personal about your business life. All business owners have either been through what you are going through or there in the middle of it at the same time. Sharing your story will attract more people into your circle and build your reputation. Do not miss this bit!

Your First Step
You don’t need to quit immediately to start this journey. Block out thirty minutes this week for a vision session. Write down your why, sketch one small test offer, and reach out to someone who believes in you.
Every transformation begins with a single step. It’s time to begin yours.
Make sure that it’s day one and not one day.