Published: 24/03/2022
We are delighted to announce that Dwell Estate & Letting Agents recently reached its 10-year anniversary – a fantastic milestone for all involved.In that time, the business has gone from humble beginnings in a back bedroom with no funding, no staff and no clients, to a team of seven property experts based in leafy north Leeds with an excellent reputation, a number of recent awards, and strong organic growth.
Below, our director Jon Graham, who founded the business a decade ago, reflects on Dwell turning 10 years ago.
I never considered getting to 10
‘How do I feel about it? I’m so proud of this big milestone,” Jon explains. “When I set out on this path, I never considered getting to 10. I thought we’d make it in a huge way, or not at all. Win or lose. I thought there was nothing in between.”
In reality, he says, it’s not that black or white.
“We started with nothing. Well, nothing but determination and time at least. I couldn’t have got it off the ground without the support of my amazing wife Laura who has been there from the start (we met when Dwell was only three months old). It would have been too much without her.”
Jon said that many times he felt ‘this isn’t working’ while other times brought nothing but great excitement – a similar tale no doubt echoed by many a business owner up and down the country.
Jon says, throughout the last 10 years, there have been periods of complacency and also periods of great focus. “I’ve meandered off the path on big tangents, and found our way back again and again. I’ve hired the wrong people and held onto to them too long. I’ve hired great talent, too.” He believes the team is everything and is so proud of all of them them.
“It’s often been tough and things have changed a great deal since the business started. But the values and purpose of the business haven’t changed,” he added.
“We still strive to be the very best at what we do, and to help people. The only thing that has stayed constant has been change. Every year has been entirely different to the last. I think this is why it’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years”
What of the future?
Jon says this year looks challenging with the changing market. But he also believes Dwell is in a great position to thrive. “We’ve carved out a great space for ourselves,” he explains. “We’re implementing lots of change quickly, adopting lots of new and exciting tech to put us at the very forefront of the industry, and I’m really excited about what we’re about to do next. I think in great part success depends on your ability to constantly change and adapt. How long will we keep going? Until we stop loving what we do, until we reach our potential, until we stop being able to give something meaningful back. Look out, here comes the second decade of Dwell!
A heartfelt thank you to everybody who’s been part of the journey so far!”
Jon says the company is looking to build on the excellent reputation it has generated over the last decade, and grow both organically and through acquisitions.
“We have lots of exciting plans in the wings for 2022 and beyond!” he concludes.
Here at Dwell, we are a multi-award-winning agency based in Leeds who aim to make moving simple by providing the highest levels of customer care in our industry. We look to combine the latest and best in modern marketing technology with traditional values, to deliver a best-in-class service to our community.
We are ingrained in our local community, too, including sponsorship of St Gemma’s Hospice in Moortown, Leeds, and a keen involvement in other areas.
Here’s to the next 10 years and another reflection when we reach the big 20!
[Featured photo taken at The Crystal Maze in Manchester where the team celebrated their 10 year anniversary in March 2022]