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As a part of the Morning Lazziness collection highlighting empowering girls who’re making a outstanding affect with their concepts, I had the pleasure of interviewing Michelle Niziol.
Michelle Niziol is a dynamic, award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and revered property and finance skilled. Because the Founder & CEO of IMS Property Group, she leads a portfolio of seven companies offering end-to-end providers throughout mortgages, property company, lettings, property growth, and funding technique.
A former Apprentice candidate, Michelle has change into recognised as one of many UK’s main property and finance specialists and is an everyday contributor to nationwide media shops.
Obsessed with supporting girls in enterprise, she based The Empowering Entrepreneur in 2019, providing mentoring, masterminds, and networking occasions for feminine entrepreneurs. As a King’s Belief Ambassador, Michelle donates all proceeds from these initiatives to assist younger individuals pursue entrepreneurship.
On this interview, she provides a candid have a look at the realities of entrepreneurship, sharing each the challenges and the victories that outlined her path.
What impressed you to begin your corporation, and what drawback have been you captivated with fixing?
At 17, I discovered myself on the point of homelessness, and that second utterly reshaped my path. I grew to become decided to create stability and independence for myself, so I purchased my first property at 18. From there, I realised how highly effective property and monetary information could be in altering lives. I began my enterprise as a result of I wished to assist others—notably girls—obtain monetary safety, freedom, and the arrogance to construct a life on their very own phrases.
How has your corporation developed since its launch, and what key selections have helped drive that development?
What started as a mortgage brokerage rapidly grew into a gaggle of corporations—property company, lettings, insurance coverage, industrial finance, and a bespoke property funding service for high-net-worth shoppers. The important thing choice was to maintain listening to what my shoppers wanted and construct options round them. One other pivotal second was selecting to construct a distant, nationwide staff of specialists, which gave us each scale and suppleness.
In your view, what actually units your model aside in at the moment’s aggressive market?
Personalisation and belief. We don’t provide “off the shelf” options—we construct bespoke property methods for each consumer. On the feminine founder aspect of my model, I’m very open about my very own journey—the wins, but additionally the struggles. That authenticity resonates deeply with girls who need to scale with out burning out.
What has been your only advertising technique to date, and why do you assume it labored so nicely?
Storytelling. Whether or not it’s on social media, within the press, or on stage, sharing actual tales about my journey connects with individuals way over statistics ever might. When girls see somebody who has constructed companies whereas elevating youngsters, dealing with setbacks, and nonetheless shifting ahead, it provides them permission to imagine they will too.
How do you keep related to your very best viewers and perceive their wants or behaviors?
I keep near them via neighborhood. I run mentoring programmes, unique occasions, and have every day conversations with girls founders on-line. I additionally ask plenty of questions—what they’re fighting, what’s lacking available in the market, what would make their lives simpler. Listening is essentially the most underrated enterprise ability.
What’s one branding transfer or marketing campaign that helped elevate your corporation to the following stage?
Launching my petition to make childcare tax-deductible for self-employed mother and father. It wasn’t only a marketing campaign, it was an announcement of function: I’m right here to struggle for girls entrepreneurs. It introduced large press protection, TV interviews, and—most significantly—related me with 1000’s of girls who felt the identical frustration.
How do you personally outline success, past income and development metrics?
For me, success is freedom—the liberty to design my life round my youngsters, my passions, and my function. In fact, numbers matter in enterprise, however true success is measured by affect: the shoppers who safe their dream properties, the ladies who scale their companies with confidence, and the legacy I’m constructing for my household.
Are you able to share a problem or setback that finally grew to become a turning level to your model?
There was a time when my companies have been rising sooner than I used to be, and I felt overwhelmed, even able to stroll away. That pressured me to be taught the ability of delegation, constructing programs, and surrounding myself with the fitting individuals. It’s why I now preach scaling with out burnout—as a result of I’ve lived the opposite aspect of it.
What every day habits or rituals hold you targeted, inventive, and grounded as a pacesetter?
I begin my mornings with motion—it could possibly be the gymnasium or a stroll—to clear my thoughts. I at all times set my prime three priorities for the day, so I keep targeted on what actually issues. And I finish the day with household time—it retains all the pieces in perspective.
How do you strategy innovation and threat in your corporation technique?
I take calculated dangers. I don’t gamble, however I additionally by no means keep in my consolation zone. Innovation comes from recognizing gaps available in the market and having the braveness to behave on them.
What recommendation would you give to somebody beginning a enterprise in at the moment’s fast-changing digital world?
Begin earlier than you’re feeling prepared. Don’t look forward to excellent branding, the proper web site, or the proper second. Get on the market, take a look at, pay attention, and adapt. And most significantly—be seen. In at the moment’s digital world, individuals purchase into individuals. Present up, share your story, and your viewers will discover you.
The place can our viewers join with you and be taught extra about your work or choices?
You possibly can join with me on Instagram, on LinkedIn, or through my website.
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