Shona Patel - SP3 London - Women in Luxury Property
Shona Patel - SP3 London
Founder
Interior Design, Design management and FF&E
Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?
Nice to have a day of recognition, good way to promote all the fantastic women out there!
Have you faced any challenges in your career as a woman and if so, how did you overcome them?
Yes especially being in the construction industry, it used to be a very male dominated industry which is now changing. Politics can always be an issue and when you’re the only female at the top table it can be hard to make a difference, however I faced them head on and fought for what was right….not sure it made enough of a difference though so then you change tact and paths to ensure what you are doing is right. As long as you overcome challenges in the right way then everyone of them is a learning experience and from each one you will grow and know what to do the next time round.
Is there another woman on whom you would like to shine a light, in the luxury property industry and why?
No one specific, actually Charu Ghandi from Eliciyon is a great role model, but there are alot of great females out there running businesses and making a difference within the industry. It’s good to have peers around you that support and help you and are ultimately are friends.
How can we encourage more women to pursue entrepreneurship or senior leadership roles in the luxury property industry?
I am a strong believer in assisting the younger generation with work experience and placements and talking to them about the various disciplines and options they have. By assisting women with internships and educating them about what the various roles are and how they could succeed in them allows them to be in control of what they want to do and where they want to get too. Without a foot in the door and experience it can be very hard for women to break through the ranks and progress.
What is the best advice you have been given?
To keep a positive mindset and this will push you forward in life. Not only that but to also believe in what you do and this will take you far, if you have a skill set then use this to your advantage. If you don’t have one then learn one that you’re interested and passionate about, this will give you a good working life!
At The Luxury Property Forum we truly believe in “you cannot be what you cannot see”.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, throughout March we are shining a light on our wonderfully inspiring female members who are all leaders in luxury property. If you are an LPF Member and would like to celebrate a senior female member of the your team, please get in touch at marketing@theluxurypropertyforum.com