From lorry driver to property developer

A former lorry driver who retrained as a property developer during the Covid pandemic is bringing a nationwide networking initiative for women in property to Wales for the first time.

Property became Narelle Cowan's life after she contracted Covid during the pandemic and was unable to work. Her brother suggested doing a property training course and she was hooked. Narelle began posting on social media and found her first investor to fund further training - and her first property purchase.

That first property came with half an acre of land in West Wales. Her second was a commercial-to-residential conversion. It was a daunting start, but she pressed on regardless.

Portfolio

Building her business through joint ventures and investor partnerships, she has now grown her portfolio to include a manor house, a beach house, a barn in Somerset earmarked for conversion, and a detached property overlooking the marina in Milford Haven. She says her property journey has taught her that every day has its own challenges.

"I call us firefighters," she says. "Every property I've done has had a different issue, or multiple issues, whether during the build, the funding process, or both."

Networking

Narelle's path to Hard Hats to Heels began at an awards ceremony where she met Chloe Farrelly, one of the initiative's hosts. A second awards event in London introduced her to Hayley Andrews, the founder of Hard Hats to Heels - a nationwide initiative creating space for women across the property world to network and support each other. There was nothing like it in Wales, so Narelle approached Hayley about bringing it here.

The inaugural event takes place on Tuesday 30th June at Cardiff City Stadium, with between 80 and 100 delegates expected from across the property world - from investors, developers, and estate agents to architects, surveyors, and planners. The event is also open to women from other sectors who have always thought about getting into property but never taken the step.

"The vision for Hard Hats to Heels is to create a safe space where women can network and talk," she says. "I can't wait to see who walks through the door."

To find out more and book your place, visit hardhatstoheels.co.uk/cardiff.