Sometimes the most courageous step you can take isn’t chasing the biggest growth possible, it's deciding exactly what kind of life you want your business to support, and then building it that way.

In this episode, I chat with Deborah Gidman from Resident Property who shares how she how she went from 14+ years working for others in WA’s property management industry to starting her own boutique agency  without a perfect business plan, without wanting to create an, empire, but with a clear vision for freedom, flexibility, and family involvement.

Before taking the leap, Deb had the same doubts many aspiring business owners face: What if it fails? Will I make enough to live on? Am I really ready? She also knew that while her skills and experience were strong, running a business would bring a whole new set of challenges.

Deb opens up about the financial safety net that gave her confidence to make the leap, the surprises she faced once she started, and how she’s grown Resident Property into a family run business with her daughter and husband on the team.  Her story is both practical advice and a reassuring reminder that you can design a business that fits your life, not the other way around.

“ If you have an inkling that you would like to start on your own, go and run the figures. And yes, it is tough to start, but if you put your everything into it and you really go for it, you will be really glad that you did it.” -Deborah Gidman

 We explore:

• Why Deb chose to start a lifestyle business rather than chase industry domination
• How Deb financially prepared to leave her “safe” corporate role
• The overlooked challenges  of business structure and why Deb’s restructuring two years in
• What to expect when friends and family don’t become your first clients
• Why social media consistency is essential  even when you hate being on camera
• The mindset shift from “winging it” to setting and achieving sales goals
• How to work with family while keeping harmony and clear roles
• The advice Deb would give property managers on running the numbers before starting their own agency

Kylie’s Resources:

Property Management Growth School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/TPM-BDMSchool

 Digital Marketing School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/digitalschool

 That Property Mum Courses: https://www.thatpropertymum.com.au/courses/

 The PM Accelerate Membership: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/accelerate

 Book a Strategy Call with Kylie: https://calendly.com/kylie-tpm/coaching-call 

 Kolmeo: https://kolmeo.com/

 Sensor Global:  https://sensorinsure.com/ https://sensorglobal.com/

 HD&U Sales Bundle: https://www.hdandu.com.au/that-property-mum-sales-readiness-bundle-0

 Find out about our Done for You Lead Generation - https://calendly.com/kylie-tpm/done-for-you-leads-discovery-call

35 AI Prompts to help you Grow your Business on Social Media: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/35-prompts-to-grow-your-property-management-business-on-social-media

Connect With Deborah Gidman

https://www.instagram.com/resident.property/?hl=en

https://www.residentproperty.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-gidman-09091463/

Connect With Kylie:

Follow Kylie Walker on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/thatpropertymum_/

Follow Kylie on Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/thatpropertymum

Connect with Kylie on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylie-wal...

Explore Kylie's Website - https://www.thatpropertymum.com.au/

Watch Kylie on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thatpropertymum