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2.1 MILLION HOME BASED BUSINESSES IN AUSTRALIA – THE WAY OF THE FUTURE

Sunshine Coast Property Management - Karen Stehr Property

Sunshine Coast Property Management - Karen Stehr Property, open for business

In February 2017, after being employed by a well known real estate brand for over 5 years, I took a giant leap of faith to walk away from the cut throat, result orientated corporate industry to start a small, boutique, customer service orientated, home based property management business. It was a big step for me and really only happened due to the brand selling the business to an even bigger brand, then not selling the business, then selling the business again... my head was in such a whirlwind I decided the universe must be telling me to roll up my sleeves and jump in boots n' all, utilise my extensive experience and create my own business. The aim was to provide a premium service for clients with customer service as the core foundation, not how big can I grow.

Since commencing my own business 'Karen Stehr Property', my eyes have been opened as to just how commonplace and widely accepted, home based businesses have become. Did you know there are over 2.1 million small businesses in Australia with up to 60% of these small businesses running without any employees beyond the business owners*. These statistics are incredible and really showed me that small and home based businesses are the lifeblood of our country and the way of the future. It takes courage to step away from the rat race and pursue your dreams and goals, no matter how small or large those goals are.

Working from a home based business is far more productive and rewarding than I could ever have imagined. A much smarter use of time, achieving exceptional results AND I don't get caught up in concerns about overheads, paying rent, franchise fees, human resources and general office politics. Today, it is very rare for a tenant or buyer to walk into a real estate shop front and ask what is available to rent or buy . The internet is our 24/7 shopfront and has access to the widest possible audience. The astute buyer or tenant is well aware of pricing, location and knows exactly what they want as they spend weekends browsing through realestate.com, domain.com, google and an array of sites available - all of which I utilise as a part of my marketing strategy to promote available properties and attract new tenants.

While my business continues to grow, I often get the big bully large franchised real estate agencies or over-sized property groups approaching investors who have chosen my services and using the fact that I am a ‘small home based business’ as a negative in an effort to coax my clients to be attracted to "bigger is better". This baffles me though, as they are pointing out one of my key strengths and trying to use it as a weakness? The Sunshine Coast in particular love a small business because they love the customer service and expertise that can only be offered by a boutique specialist. Successful property management is not about a brand, it never has been... it is about the person.

I guess what makes me stand out from those who are fighting for world domination and obtaining as many clients as possible as purely a numbers game, is that I genuinely love what I do. I am essentially focused on my career, my client base and offer 100% attention, 100% service and ALL my skills without relying on a volume of staff or a shopfront to contribute to my service, results or performance.

Let’s all band together and support the small businesses in our community and relish in the superior service we receive, the relationships that we create and the country that we support! Home based businesses are not only the way of the future, but also inspire the first step into something great….

Karen Stehr

0417 618 480

*Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/03/04/new-business-statistics_n_9345482.html

http://www.business.gov.au

http://www.abs.gov.au

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