Gemma Young is the CEO & Founder of PropTech business, Settled; launched in 2016, the start up is an online property platform connecting buyers and sellers, creating more transparency. She also spent ten years at Google, across several marketing roles which saw her working across Silicon Valley, Europe and Africa.
1. Best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Get comfortable with the uncomfortable (Larry Page shared this with us in the early days of Google). I’ve never forgotten his words and what it was like in those rapidly changing times. It made me value the importance of staying nimble and the importance of focusing on the road ahead.
2. Worst piece of advice you’ve been given?
Advice, like feedback, is a perspective or additional data point. The best of it reveals the juicy stuff that might be in your blind spot. That’s why I don’t have a worst piece; I collect it all! Granted, somethings I won’t agree with (like when one venture capitalist told me I was too nice and needed to man up!) but I’ll always take insight. I won’t take as much value from things I don’t agree with but, but the best and most real advice will continue to feature in my core thinking, helping to shape my future outlook.
3. What would you tell your younger self?
Surround yourself with the people who inspire, love, care for, dream with, think and challenge you – the ones who charge your energy and get shit done. This is especially important in business, when you’re building a team!
4. What excites you most about the future of your industry?
Our homes are our sanctuaries and have a huge impact on our wellbeing. Owning them is a route to more personal security and financial stability. What’s wonderful is that businesses in this sector are finally starting to focus on something they haven’t for a long time; the consumer.
With more of a focus on them, there’s an exciting future ahead for us all; one where people will be able to buy and sell homes through more digitally and experience led processes and one which looks set to have a profound impact on individuals and on the country’s economy.
5. Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
When I hear or see someone upset by an issue they’ve faced when buying or selling a home (which happens far too often) I think “we’re fixing that!”. It continually renews the importance of the work we’re doing at Settled.
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