Aldershot estate agents Beacons only began trading in April of this year but it is making its mark, having been shortlisted as a finalist in the INSPIRE 16 Business Awards.
Beacons is in the running to be named New Business of the Year when final judging takes place later this month. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in November.
The INSPIRE Business Awards is an annual competition to celebrate excellence in local business. It is supported by four local authorities, including Rushmoor Borough Council along with local companies and large corporations such as HSBC.
Managing Director Clare Bourke established Beacons after she inherited former estate agents Bourkes from her late father, Paul. After initially keeping Bourkes going, she took the decision to wind the company down and set up Beacons, her own estate agency.
Beacons began trading in the spring, initially as a lettings agency. Having exceeded her initial business targets, Ms Bourke has already begun to expand by taking on new recruits and venturing into the highly competitive property sales market.
Although new to the industry, Ms Bourke is highly committed to building a successful business focussed on serving the local community and was shortlisted for the award in less than six months: “Getting involved in Aldershot life by supporting events, like the Eagle Radio Easter Egg appeal and charity coffee mornings, is very much part of who we are at Beacons. I come from a family of traditional estate agents and as such, I’m proud that our values of honesty and integrity underpin our business ethnics. We offer our customers the benefits of a small friendly local agents with a fresh approach and modern ways of working to help them through the process of buying, selling and renting homes.”
Asked for the secret to her success, Ms Bourke explains: “It’s not just about hard work. I understand the importance of reputation in a small business like mine; the Bourke name is very much trusted among those of our clients who came to Beacons from my father’s company. I’m keen to build on that. I also appreciate that our customers have a lot choice when it comes to selecting their estate agents and that selling or purchasing your home is a significant undertaking. Customers want simplicity, openness, honesty and efficiency from their agent to make sure the process runs smoothly and that is exactly what we provide.”
The judges will be looking for new businesses that perform well against their own business objectives, demonstrate sound business and financial planning, overcome challenges, motivate staff and have a sound plan for growth. The awards take place on 10 November.
