Mortgage broker Katie defies the odds to celebrates milestone anniversary

A Burnley mortgage advisor who set up in business six months before the pandemic is celebrating her five-year work anniversary.

It’s a key milestone for Katie Blackledge, of Blackledge Mortgage Services, who has worked tirelessly to ensure that hers did not become one of the 45 per cent UK businesses which didn’t survive its fledgling years. 

In fact, business for Katie is booming and continues to go from strength to strength, but that’s not to say that she hasn’t had her doubts over the past half a decade.

“Before going solo I worked within an estate agency, in roles from sales negotiator to valuer and then to manager, so I knew the job inside out.

“What I didn’t appreciate was that running a business was all of this and much more. I may be my own boss, but I am also an administrator, marketeer, accountant and brew maker and sometimes that has felt overwhelming and a little lonely,” she admits.

“And then there was, of course, a global pandemic to deal with just when I was finding my feet. Luckily for me, the freeze on Stamp Duty stimulated a buoyant housing market, so I was very busy right from the outset and haven’t slowed down since.”

Katie admits that there was a short period in 2022 when she doubted if she had made the right decision to set up on her own.

She said: “When you’re working on your own there’s no one to bounce ideas off or to check that you are doing the right thing, so you begin to doubt yourself. I went on holiday in December 2022 wondering whether to carry on, and it proved to be the break I needed to regroup, set a strategy for the new year and go again. I’m glad I persevered.”

Regular networking has proven instrumental in Katie’s success and over the years she has built up some valuable working relationships.

She said: “I’ve found fellow businesspeople, both inside out outside of my sector, really open to sharing ideas and offering advice, and I like to do the same in return. There is plenty of work out there for everyone and feeling that someone has your back is priceless, it really is.”

So, what else does Katie have planned for the business as Blackledge Mortgage Services enters its next phase?

“I have a fantastic local network, which I now want to start slowly expanding across the wider Lancashire area. I’m a horse owner, so would really love to start supporting high net individuals in more rural parts of the county and I have some exciting plans in the footing with local agency We Love Creative, so watch this space,” she added.

Katie also wanted to share five pieces of advice in celebration of her five years:

1. As the bank rates have recently dropped, if you’re on a low interest rate, start overpaying now and you won’t then feel the pinch when the rate goes up.
2. If you need to remortgage your home, start speaking with an advisor six months before the renewal date to ensure the best deal possible.
3. Be aware that you can borrow money against your property to consolidate your debts, such as unsecured loans, credit cards and store cards.
4. Know that you can borrow money against the equity in your home, which may be used for an extension or other works on your property.
5. Never be afraid to ask a ‘stupid question’. No question is ever a stupid one and it may well save you time and money in the long run.

If you would like to get some advice from Katie, please contact [email protected]