Tanya McGeehan explored various career paths before finding a passion for property.
Read how she became Managing Director at MCG Investments LTD
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
After I graduated, I moved to Dublin and worked in the foreign exchange dealing room for International Banks before returning home and working for Hastings Hotels as a Sales & Marketing Executive. In 2004, I founded and set up a sandwich and outside catering business with my sister Aisling in Magherafelt which we later sold.
In 2008, life took a very difficult, gut wrenching turn for me and my family when my father, Patsy Duffy, was struck down with a debilitating illness, early onset dementia at the young age of 53, and he sadly passed away in 2012.
At that time, my dad ran a very successful property business but as the illness progressed, his ability to run and manage the business diminished. It was through these extremely difficult days, that I started my own journey into the world of property when my mother asked me to help her with the running of the business, which I have been doing since 2009. My dad would be delighted that we, as a family, have been able to continue on his business, and I know in my heart, that he would be even more proud, that I have followed in his footsteps establishing my own property business with my husband Stephen.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I’ve always been a numbers girl, so maths was my favourite subject.
Did you go on to further/ higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I graduated from Ulster University Jordanstown with a 2:1 in BSc Hons Hospitality and Business Management.
How did you get into your area of work?
In truth the passing of my daddy and his unexpected, extremely difficult illness, set the course for me finding my true career passion – property. It’s strange how life can often produce positive outcomes from such harrowing times.
Is this what you have always wanted to do?
It turns out, absolutely yes! But it took quite a few attempts at other potential career paths and lots of life experiences, good and bad, before I finally found my passion for property. As one of four daughters, my father’s entrepreneurial spirit inspired us all greatly. He retired from the bank at the age of 36 after working there almost 20 years. He started to invest in property in 1991 and built up a successful business with my mum, Janette. I was brought up surrounded by all things property, so it is very much part of my DNA and I quickly realised that I wanted to carry on the tradition.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
As I have shown in my career, I think experience trumps qualifications for me every time. Statistically, there are probably more successful property entrepreneurs who never received any formal qualifications than there are those who went through university.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
Absolutely! Property is not just for surveyors and estate agents. It is more than transactional, it is actually transformational if it becomes your passion, as it has in my case.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
Our business is based on finding properties (deals) and sourcing finance for our development projects. For me, the single most important aspect about my job is relationship building. Building strong, long lasting relationships with the many people I rely on to carry out my job is essential to the success of my business. Therefore, you need to be good at communicating and negotiating with people. Having excellent numerical and organisational skills is vital given you could be working on a number of projects at any one time. And due to the nature of the industry, you need to be resilient and patient.
What does a typical day entail?
My husband Stephen and I get up at 6am and train together before having breakfast and discuss MCG priorities for the day ahead. Our current ‘lockdown’ routine involves waking the kids (Shea 14, Eva 13, Mia 9) for home-schooling at 8.30am. My days are very varied, often including many meetings with existing clients, potential new investors, solicitors, estate agents and regular site visits (when allowed) to projects under completion or to viewings of new potential properties. I usually finish up the day, updating my to-do list and prioritising what needs done the following day.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The best part of the job is seeing your vision become reality when you finish a project and bring it to market and see the joy in the faces of a family who have agreed to make your house their new home.
The most challenging aspect for me as a working mother, is the long hours. When you work for yourself, you wear every hat and you never switch off and that can take its toll on the work/life balance. I am very fortunate that my husband Stephen, who is a company director and has a busy full-time job, is so supportive and is always on hand to help me.
Why is what you do important?
I believe it is so important to set an example to your children about the value and rewards of hard work in whatever you do. That example was set for me, by my mum and dad and I want it to be a gift to my own children.
How has Covid-19 impacted your business/ role?
I have probably gained more than I lost during the ongoing pandemic which I am very grateful for. The slow-down of the normal pace of life gave me a chance to scale up my business. I invested time and money on mentorship which has been of great value to me personally and professionally. The property market in Northern Ireland has remained buoyant with high levels of activity and we have been very busy as a result of all of that.
What adjustments have you had to make?
Like everyone, the move to online meetings has been necessary. For a period of time, I also did some virtual viewings of potential new properties. I have embraced online and hold webinars to help people within the industry. I’ve just launched the next series which are taking place on March 2 with Commercial Property Investment in 2021 followed by Buying Your First Home During Covid-19 on March 10 and I’m looking forward to interviewing local industry experts to continue offering this support.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Go for it! Don’t be afraid to take risks and make sure you are constantly pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. When starting out, be authentic and consistent in all that you do as that is how you will begin to find opportunities to allow you to grow.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
I can honestly say that there is nothing else I would rather be doing than what I am fortunate to be doing every day.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
You’ve got this girl. Be patient, be kinder to yourself and don’t be afraid to make mistakes as they leave the clues to your next success.
Describe your ideal day off.
Being brought breakfast to bed by the ‘fambam’ and then meeting up with my girlfriends in Belfast for a day of belly laughing, drinks, good food and a little retail therapy when we are up there – all to support local businesses of course!
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
Go hunting for something that you are really passionate about and don’t give up if it proves elusive because if you are relentless going after it, you will end up exactly where you want to be. Good luck!
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