Elley Hudson – Excellence Property

Who are you and what business did you start?

I’m Elley Hudson and I founded Excellence Property back in 2017.

What’s your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?

I once co-owned an agency where I was a minority shareholder. Despite my position, I had minimal control over how things were done and was frustrated that stakeholder agendas seemed to trump the wellbeing of employees. In response, I created my own agency that gave young people the opportunity to learn property management in a safe environment.

Describe the process of launching the business.

I was very fortunate when I decided to launch Excellence Property, as I had a lot of great people on my side, the desire to succeed and a wealth of property management experience. I also had experience when it came to building up a rent roll from nothing with a marketing budget of zero. All of these factors meant I was able to give my business a good launching point and ensure I had the makings of a successful foundation.

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

I’d say our “excellence method” has really helped to attract and maintain customers since launching. Basically, our “excellence method” is combining our excellent staff with excellent owners, excellent tenants and excellent properties. This ensures there’s no mismatch of expectations while lowering the possibility of poor service and lower rental returns.

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

Today, both the business and I are doing great. The future also looks bright. We have recently expanded into sales and we’re continuing to develop that side of the organisation. Furthermore, we’re moving into a new office which doesn’t have an upstairs area, meaning that we’ll all be on the same level which should improve our overall communication.

Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?

When starting a business, I’ve learned that it’s important to recognise the areas in your industry that need improvement. For example, in the property management industry, improvement is needed in the way property owners are serviced and the way young talent coming through the ranks are fostered, which are two of my biggest priorities. By striving to fix the areas that need improvement, you’ll stand out from the competition.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

We use various platforms/tools for the business. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok are invaluable when it comes to promotion, while Eagle CRM, Inspect Real Estate, Trello and PropertyMe help us advertise and manage our properties.

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?

One of the most influential books I’ve ever read is “Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow” by Marsha Sinetar. When I was younger, the number one thing I wanted to be was a millionaire. After reading the book, I decided to abandon that dream and focus on the two things I love – property management and helping young people grow. As it turns out, Marsha Sinetar was completely correct. If you do what you love, the money really will follow.

Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

My advice to other entrepreneurs is to do everything to the best of your ability. My parents instilled this in me and it shaped me into the successful business woman I am today. Also, make sure you are 100% passionate about the industry you’re in. If the passion isn’t there, then it’s time to leave, realign your professional compass and find something that makes you happy.

Where can we go to learn more?

https://excellencepm.com.au/