Is there ever a perfect time to start a business?

Starting a business involves committing before you know exactly how everything will turn out. You can research, prepare and work through the numbers. At some point, you have to decide whether you believe in what you’re building enough to take it forward.

For us, that decision has meant opening Powells in Sevenoaks.

It’s an ambition I’ve held for a long time. When I was running Conran, I wanted us to have an office here. I wanted to work locally, and I believed there was room in Sevenoaks for the approach I wanted to bring. That ambition has stayed with me.

Of course, the economic backdrop is part of the decision. There’s nervousness around making commitments, whether you’re starting a business or thinking about buying a home. Costs need careful consideration, and plans need to work in the conditions you’re facing.

I understand that caution. We’re making a significant commitment ourselves.

What gives me confidence is knowing the work that sits behind it. Years in estate agency have given me experience to draw on, ideas I want to develop and a clear view of how I want the business to operate.

Is the timing perfect? Probably not but we are building a business for the future and not just for now, with a view to riding all political and economic landscapes and dare I say storms as well.

Property markets change. The approach that worked for one home, at one point in time, may need adjusting for another. Being willing to pay attention and adapt is an important part of doing the job well. That starts with understanding what you’re trying to achieve.

For a seller, that means looking carefully at the home, who it might appeal to and what else those buyers have to choose from. Pricing and marketing need to work together. Once the property is launched, enquiries and viewing feedback should help inform the next decision.

There’s judgement involved throughout. A plan gives you direction, but you still need to respond to what’s happening.

The same thinking applies to building a business. We have a vision for Powells, and we’re putting the foundations in place to support it. We also know we’ll keep learning as the business develops.

Sevenoaks is somewhere I want to be part of that process. Working locally means getting to know people over time, understanding what matters to them and building relationships that extend beyond a single transaction.

That matters to me because the decisions we help with carry real consequences. Advice about a price, an offer or the timing of a sale can affect someone’s wider plans. Caring about the outcome means giving those decisions proper attention, including being honest when a conversation is difficult.

It also means thinking ahead. What information will someone need? What can be prepared now? Where might a question arise later? Small things dealt with early can make the next stage easier.

Those are the things I have confidence in: our experience, the way we think and the effort we’re prepared to put into the work.

There will be plenty to learn as we open our doors. But the ambition to be here has been with me for years, and we’ve thought carefully about how to make it happen.

I’m looking forward to getting started.