Paula Higgins
Paula Higgins, Founder and CEO, set up HomeOwners Alliance 10 years ago. It is an independent consumer group to help homeowners and those who aspire to own their home achieve their goals.
She provides leadership and strategic vision driving the organization forward. She is a commentator and advocate for homeowners and is regularly quoted in the media and appears on radio and TV.
Tell us about your life before the venture/ leading up to your venture?
Having spent 15 years reviewing and reforming housing and planning policy for the UK government and the EU, it was clear to me that the homeowner didn’t have a voice at the decision making table.
Tell us something about your organization. What is it about and how is it helpful for people?
HomeOwners Alliance exists to restore trust in home ownership, lobby for policies and industry practices to get a better deal for homeowners and to provide advice and services.
At http://www.hoa.org.uk/, 5 million visitors a year find lots of independent help and advice to help homeowners facing some of the biggest and most complex decisions of their lives.
The HomeOwners Alliance champions the interests of Britain’s homeowners and aspiring homeowners and has a number of campaigns. See – https://hoa.org.uk/campaigns/
What has been the response of the consumers towards your venture?
https://www.reviews.co.uk/company-reviews/store/hoa-org-uk1
https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/features/2015/7/homeowners-alliance–an-organisation-to-watch
How has your life changed because of your venture?
I have become more confident in my abilities and am constantly learning. I also have some flexibility in the hours I work which was particularly important for me when my children were little.
I have learned to be more resilient and love the fact that I have set a good example for my children and for women in the property world.
Give a motivational message for the audience/women who are reading this.
I was lucky to be able to take the chance and venture on my own, but I did not go alone. I have had so much support, advice and help along the way. It’s important to listen to others but also to forge your own path and keep to your principles. I continue to work with nice people and have strong partnerships with other like minded organizations.
There are so many ups and downs in business and you should decide what success looks like to you. I’m incredibly proud that HomeOwners Alliance is going strong 10 years later even if it is a very different venture from what I first dreamt up.