Rochelle Trup is co-founder of Arthur Online, a property management software.
Arthur was born out of a need to produce a comprehensive and integrated management and communication tool that links property managers with tenants, contractors, property owners and letting agents. Using current technology Arthur was developed for both the mobile and the web.
Tell us a bit about yourself, background and your current role
My background is in finance. I’ve always been interested in figures, and after graduating from Manchester University with a maths degree, I worked on the LTOM and LIFFE Markets trading equity derivatives. Early on I joined an arbitrage desk and was employed as a proprietary trader, I went on to run FX derivative and money markets desks both in the UK and Europe. It was my love of figures that got me into property, at the time, interest rates were lower than the rental yield and so I could gain a return whether capital value increased or not, property was an obvious investment and one which I could manage around my day job.
From the time I bought my first property – a block of three flats – to three months later when I’d grown my portfolio to 24 units within 3 properties. We grew our portfolio to in excess of 85 units over the following 15 years
Did you ever sit down and plan your career?
No. I knew I loved maths and was good at it and I’d been lucky enough to be exposed to the world of finance through family friends. The stock exchange matched my personality, I need very little sleep so was happy to work around the world and sleep when the markets slept. It was a thriving, lively world and I loved it.
Have you faced any challenges along the way and if so, how did you deal with them?
Absolutely, more so in my personal life than in my career. I lost my Dad to cancer when I was in my thirties. It was a huge shock but one that I believe shaped my future. Life is precious and incredibly short, I wanted to make sure I was doing what made me happy. I always advise younger people to choose a career in something they are passionate about because you can’t be great at something you don’t enjoy.
On a typical workday, how does you start your day and how does it end?
I’ve always woken early, even before I had my three children. I’m generally up around 4am most days, naturally. We’re incredibly lucky to have amazing local producers on our doorstep so I use the time to shop and get first pick at the bakers, butchers and grocers. I then meet my husband for breakfast every morning at a local café. From there I either meet my trainer or attend a spin class, and twice a week I meet my mentor.
The day ends around 7pm depending on my workload. I try to go out three of four times a week and meet friends for dinner. I’m incredibly social and work long hours so I use my evenings to catch up with friends, attend the theatre and see family.
How do you feel about mentoring? Have you ever had a mentor or do you mentor anyone?
I love mentoring and mentor two children each year from the school I attended. I was also on the board of a women’s refuge and volunteer at a soup kitchen on Tottenham Court Road. At the moment, Arthur keeps me incredibly busy but mentoring has and always will be a huge part of my life and one that I will continue to pursue.
I also have a mentor myself and I find it incredibly beneficial to have a sounding board for ideas. I have a fast-paced life and am incredibly passionate about what I do so it’s vital to have someone that can centre me and help me to work through my plan.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to get into the property sector?
Know your figures inside out, always analyse investments and understand your break even analysis and opportunity costs. The property sector is a lot harder to get into now than it was twenty years ago. Now, it’s far more about the tools around property and prop tech.
My top tip is to stop looking at what’s worked in the past, consider the future and the needs of the market. Up and coming areas to invest in and the appropriate technologies to streamline and cut down workload. You need to look for the next big thing and don’t be afraid to take risks. If something is happening now, then it’s over, you’ve missed the boat. Work at finding the next thing, and jump on it.
If you could change one thing for women in the workplace, what would it be?
For them to feel empowered to do whatever they feel is right for them and to have passion. Women are constantly judged for every decision they make and often by other women, not just men.
The biggest piece of advice I give the students I mentor and the graduates we employ at Arthur is to have passion for what you choose to do with your life; that’s the only way you’ll succeed.
What has been your biggest achievement to date?
My career has been fantastic and is continuing to bring me joy and feed my passion. But, having my three children is without question my biggest achievement. We weren’t blessed with an easy time of it but I actually credit that to helping me to keep driving myself forward. Nothing in life worth having is easy.
What is your next challenge and what are you hoping to achieve in the future?
Every August I meet with my mentor to plan my strategy for my best year yet. I evaluate what’s making me happy in my personal and professional life and review what I can change, what needs to be done and what I want to do. I find that having a clear plan each year helps me to live my best life yet. I set myself challenges, make personal goals and thrive on change, it doesn’t scare me.
