Enterprise Nation

Sarah Child never thought work could be this good. She runs a business that sells homes in Italy, from her new home office at the end of the garden. From there, she watches the wildlife, watching her, and is grateful for all she has. Here’s a story told with a volume of passion that even an Italian would be proud of.

What were you doing before becoming your own boss?

Prior to becoming my own boss, I dreamed of becoming my own boss!! No honestly I worked in the voluntary sector for many years with people with differing support needs, Nadia was a Social worker. We dabbled for many years in the Buy to let market building up a portfolio of properties to indulge our passion for all things ‘House’. Bringing up 3 kids together, 9-5 work was always a struggle. Accommodating fixed hours with the unexpected illnesses, holidays etc of the kids was a constant strain.

How did you come up with the idea for promoting properties in Italy?

Having lived as a Nanny for two years in Rome after I finished university, I have always been totally passionate about Italy. Speaking the language, as well as having toured the country extensively in a tiny white fiat panda at great speed on my weekends off, gave me a love for Italy and travel. When, 20 years later, we were approached to market property in Italy I jumped at the chance and we have never looked back. Feeling genuinely excited by what you do is such a great feeling.

How do you promote yourself?

We try to be innovative, keep costs low, use our happy clients to spread the word and throw in the odd advert for good measure. We built a new website at the end of last year and are extremely pleased with it’s look and feel. We recently pulled off quite a coup with a fantastic competition in the Glasgow Herald- where the winner won a house! In fact, the winner signed for the house the other day and as you can imagine is over the moon. The editorial that went along with the house was inspirational and many leads have poured in from people excited at the prospect of buying a medieval home in Italy from just €25 000

Are your family involved in the business?

Myself and my partner Nadia run the business from the end of the garden..in our beautiful office which looks out onto the orchard, squirrels and birds galore. Paris our Petit basset Griffen Vendeen dog, would argue that she plays an integral role in the company. Of course she has a ‘work station’ in the office- one that often finds her horizontal, in a ball and snoring.

Can you tell us a bit about your new home office … how did the build go and how has the new space helped with your productivity etc?  

Commute time about 15 seconds, unless of course I cycle..in which case it takes about 5 seconds! Venturing out is sometimes a shock to the system, as you are exposed to traffic, noise and queuing ! Building our office was one of our best decisions ever. The build was smooth and Paul, the carpenter, fell in love with Saffron Walden and our garden in the process. Timber framed, double glazed wooden windows, oak floors and oceans of lambs wool insulating us..it really is the business! The space is fantastic to work in . Light, bright, warm, a view from every window…sometime I wonder if we are watching the wildlife, or if they are watching us and dreaming of a second home in warmer climes. We have space for visiting  developers and sub-agents to work on their flying visits- but for the most part we are lucky enough to have this office all to ourselves.

Our overheads are minimal, our team small and hard-working.  Our only complaint is that the joy of the office is not matched in the house..which we bought as a doer upper over a year ago..and we have done nothing! The 1970’s are alive and kicking in our house..but the office is as modern as they come.

In all my years in the voluntary sector and all Nadia’s years in Social services we could never dream to have such comfortable work space. Part of the motivation of coming to work ..is most definitely tied up with beauty of this space.

Productivity is relative-what working from home does is offer us the flexibility we need to provide a service when it’s needed..that might be 9-5..or  it might need to be at weekends. It all depends on how properties are selling and what our clients require There is also flexibility  to  escape for half an hour and cut the grass- or hang up washing!

What are your plans for the future?

Italy will always be at the fore for us. We want to continue to bring good affordable property to our clients, constantly work on our website of which we are very proud, occasionally master a new piece of technology and provide a good service  to our clients. It’s always good to have other eggs in other baskets, so we are working with a small team that puts investors and funds in touch with exclusive investment deals and developments around the world..something else to get excited about..down in the orchard.

Sarah Child talks to Emma Jones

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