In the High Flyers spotlight this week is Tanya McGeehan, managing director of MCG Investments, which specialises in residential property investment opportunities in Northern Ireland offering a range of services including sourcing, acquiring and re-furbishing buy-to-let properties and delivering extensive residential refurbishments for re-sale working with investors and joint venture partners.
What was your first job?
My first job was aged 13 washing dishes in a Magherafelt hotel as my parents believed in getting us experience and appreciating the value of money. My first real job after graduating was in a foreign exchange dealing room for an international bank in Dublin 20 years ago.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a 2:1 BA honours degree in hospitality and business management, Prince 2 project management and various property related qualifications.
What do you attribute your success to?
Success for me is always somewhere I am always striving to get to and I suspect that will never change. But my drive for success comes from growing up watching my parents work hard at growing their property business and instilling in me and my three sisters from a very young age, the importance of working hard to achieve success. My success is based on hard work, being authentic and consistent in everything I do.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
I would say that once you meet me for the first time, you will know plenty about me and quickly realise that I’m far from shy and love to chat! I would regard myself as a very friendly, approachable, open and honest person.
Who do/did you look up to in business?
My dad (sadly deceased in 2012) was my absolute idol, building a successful property business still operating strongly today. Others that I admire include local businesswoman Mairead Mackle of Homecare Independent Living and the genius of Jeff Bezos on a global scale who has literally changed the world.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
I value trust and integrity when working with people and I treat everyone fairly and work on the basis that the best way to develop my business is to build strong, long lasting relationships with employees, supply chain and my investors. I am the same person in work, as I am in my personal life, something which I feel allows people around me, to be more relaxed when working with me.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
The conveyancing and planning processes are far too slow and bureaucratic and require radical overhaul. We could deliver more projects each year if we saved some time on those aspects.
Which website or app could you not do without?
LinkedIn for business
What was the last book you read?
I just finished Michelle Obama’s ‘Becoming’ and am currently reading Ollie Otherton’s ‘Battle Ready’.
What car do you drive?
Audi Q7 Jeep
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I recently completed a fitness challenge running four miles every four hours over 48 hours known as the David Goggins challenge with my husband Stephen and others, raising over £13,000 for the Alzheimers Research UK charity. It was mentally and physically exhausting!
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
I love holidays to sunny destinations, so this past year has been a real challenge. As soon as restrictions are lifted, I will be on a plane somewhere hot!
