PHENOMENAL WOMEN: ALVARINE COULTON

“I want to build a legacy that outlives me, one where black women aren't just investors, but industry leaders. "

1. What made you decide on a career in real estate/ construction/ housing?

From quite an early age I was interested in property investing, as my grandfather has been a great role model for me, my grandfather had done some buy to let investing himself over the years. They originally came over to the UK from Jamaica many years ago and in order to make ends meet, they rented out rooms in their house.

2. What was your journey to the position you are in today? (Tell us about where you grew up, what you studied, your first job, and if you pivoted in your career)

I grew up with my Grandparents in London’s Shepherd Bush area and have manage my properties some 200 miles away from home, “I am not in this for the short term”, and aim to keep my properties for a long time. Although I went to College and University and gained my BA in graphic and Media Design at London College of Communications and then went into office work, I knew that property investing was where I saw my future and so back in 2012 I brought my first buy to let in Manchester. I continued to purchasing properties while I was working part time at an Architects in Chelsea in London and left during COVID time to focus on my portfolio and completed my MBA in Construction and Real Estate.

3. What has been your greatest career achievement to date?

I am proud to share that I won the Landlord of the Year award at the 2022 National Lis Awards

4. What initiative or change are you most proud of implementing?

The supported living sector and working with an organization on a five year lease basis with my properties and the ongoing management will be handled on a daily basis by the social housing provider.

5. Are you able to share with us a challenge you have experienced during your career to date? How were you able were you able to overcome this?

I rented properties that was managed by an agency, they were responsible for all repairs and maintenance, and however they were basically ignoring this duty and not transferring my rents to me.

I had a serious problem with them especially when I had my HMO Inspections. After about 4 weeks of continuous calls and emails to them I was sick and tired of playing this game with them, so I threaten legal service to force them to abide by this part of the contract and I had to take back my properties from the agency.

6. What would you tell your teenage self? (Tell us if you would go back and change your career choices)

I would tell my younger self; Patience is also so important early on in your career. It's easy to forget that the most successful people often put decades in before they got to the level they're at today, and to get impatient. The most successful people have grown into their confidence because they've taken some risks, experienced various roles and setbacks, and have learned from their mistakes. You'll learn so much from your first few jobs, but will never stop learning and evolving as a person and a career person. Remaining patient and focusing on both short and long term goals can help you achieve your dreams! I would not choose a different career but I wish I started it earlier than I did.

7. Who, or what, inspires/motivates you to succeed in your respective field?

Family

“I think this is a consistent theme. I have an awesome Family that supports me with all the crazy work that I get myself into! When I have an important presentation to deliver, my family is usually my first audience! Being excited about the work that I do is a very important attribute for them to see and model their future lives around.”

8. How do you build inclusive and empowering communities around your work?

I work with letting agents who have good local knowledge, someone who is proactive and wants a long term relationship with landlords. Make sure the people I work with understand my objectives whether they are brokers or builders or letting agents. I have been with my mortgage broker for over 10 years now and he is completely in tune with my objectives. “You must research every aspect of the process”. I have invested heavily in Manchester and have established long term relationships with agents and management companies. I make regular trips to Manchester and I spend the day with broker, the letting agents and builders if there is a refurbishment project going on. This is a routine so that I can visit my properties and make sure everything is running smoothly. My broker is key to this as he has over 20 years of investment experience as well as arranging finance.

9. How have you worked to support other black women or other underrepresented groups across the industry?

I try to be proactive, be visible, be connected and share my story to black women just like me, I was the only black female when I worked at the Architects and I was the only black female when I won the Landlord of the Year award at the 2022 National Lis Awards. Myself and other colored female landlords have come together in support in Manchester with our businesses it is a great way to help the community and promote entrepreneurship. 

10. What does good leadership look like to you? 

Leaders know how to set objectives and achieve buy-in from all team members. Leaders that follow a purpose, drive a mission and visualize the path, milestones, goals, the steps and high level actions. Leaders give direction and space. Leaders foster open and honest communication.

11. What message would you share with the next generation of black women leaders reading your story?

    Know your job and know it better than anyone else. The Phenomenal Women campaign is sponsored by Knight Frank