In this week’s episode we speak to local property developer and interior designer, Christine Yorath. Christine talks us through her property career, plus how she started a skincare business when returning from Vancouver, the almost accidental launch of a successful property letting business and teaches us how to avoid getting stabbed in the back in the office. INTRODUCING CHRISTINE YORATH Christine Yorath is an interior designer, property developer and consultant to property developers. She was married to Leeds United & Wales star Terry Yorath and in a varied career initially qualified as a beauty therapist, launching the first stand-alone beauty salon in Yorkshire. Following a spell in Vancouver she began an importing and distribution business for Metrin Skincare's European operation alongside her daughter, TV presenter, Gabby Logan. Her property experience dates back to the late 1980’s when she began buying, renovating and selling properties, which then led to Flats in Leeds property management business. Her development and interior design flair and experience, and as a consultant for other developers, covers all stages of property development from consulting with developers right up to bespoke furniture for makeovers for residential work and has led her to be involved in some of Leeds' most high profile and expensive developments. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS [00:02:00] Where Christine’s business drive came from [00:06:45] The story behind Metrin Skincare [00:10:00] The launch of the property career [00:13:00] The first step up and the learnings [00:18:00] City living developments in Leeds [00:22:30] the move into consultancy work [00:29:00] How to lay out your office correctly KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS Always £100 on top of your sealed bids for propertyAlways under-promise and over-deliverTie your pricing into how your audience thinksConverting a property costs the same as a new buildMatch your product build to your customer before they buyThe two things you need in any project are comfort and storage BEST MOMENTS “I was often met by the butler who carried my equipment in” “Your £100 did the trick” “I made my son carry wallpaper so he wouldn’t run away” “the bank leant me the money to pay the deposit to get the mortgage” VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com Website: https://www.christineyorath.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-yorath-86429916/ Shout out tags: https://www.monroeestateagents.com/ https://northstudioleeds.co.uk/ DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’ My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE. Your half of the deal has two simple steps; 1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it 2) Post a review of the show YOU MAY ALSO LIKE https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/michael-michaelson/ https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/david-richmond/ https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/howard-moss/ ABOUT YOUR HOST Phil Fraser went from an accidental kitchen table...