Inspiring Introductions

[admin of UK Property world]

Good morning folks and welcome to another of our Inspiring Introductions.

Today, we are introduced to Debra Presley.

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[Debra’s story]

Hello everyone,

I’m Debra, founder and CEO of Diverse Nation – the world’s only provider of across-the-spectrum neurodivergent-friendly short-stay accommodation.

I grew up on a very wet, windy, tired, and tough council estate called ‘concrete city’ in the badlands of Bolton. The place was full of big hearts, acceptance of a simple life, but massive cheers whenever someone achieved something – they’re some of the fondest memories I have and what keeps me grounded wherever I am.

I left school at 16, and after a couple of years of secretarial college I headed out to work. I had no idea what I wanted to do, so took on a bit of everything – usually juggling multiple jobs. I took on junior roles in admin, sales, finance and legal, getting a lucky break when someone took a chance on me to help set up a centre of excellence with the world’s largest consulting firm in my early 20s.

I hit a ceiling there, having no qualifications, so I decided it was time to study and jumped into an MBA. My mind was instantly opened to this incredible world of possibility I’d never really understood before.

What followed from there was round-the-clock working to self-fund five degrees across business, psychology, and philosophy and setting up multiple businesses for myself and others. I had two children and moved home 17 times while living and working across the U.K., Germany, and Switzerland as a business consultant. I can distinctly remember breastfeeding my 2-day-old son on the hospital bed, surrounded by MBA and psychology course books as I was doing two degrees at the same time, and both had essays due; I’ve never been so tired!…until I had my second son 12 months later and was breastfeeding him on a hospital bed while balancing my 1-year-old son in the other arm, and surrounded by textbooks for both courses as I was still studying both degrees! 

Next came almost a decade in the Middle East, swinging between senior roles in the oil and gas industry and studies. I’m now a Chartered Business Psychologist and Chartered Scientist.

I’m neurodivergent (autistic, adhd, ocd) and so is the rest of my family unit. I have one of the most fabulous and gifted families around. I’m driven, see patterns and potential in business opportunities, and tune in to the people around me. My mind processes information in ways different to a typical brain, but that aside there is no difference. I am driven and always looking for ways to help, collaborate with, and support others, and I’m loyal to the core.

1 in 7 of us is neurodivergent. 15% of people. One BILLION neurodivergent people on our planet who were not being catered for in short-stay accommodation (business travellers as well as holidaymakers). I set up Diverse Nation last year to put that right, and I’m really chuffed to be receiving publicity and awards already. My mum didn’t get to see me set up this business, but everything I do is in her memory because she was the nicest woman on the planet who kept me as safe as she possibly could and gave me just enough springboard to make it to where I am. I love this life she gave to me.

In setting up Diverse Nation, I wanted to help as many people as possible, particularly in what feels like such a pressured time in the property world. So, I rent properties long-term from landlords on company lets, at above-market rates, so landlords can sit back and relax while I become the most profitable and straightforward tenant they’ve ever had. I then run my business from those properties to provide places of mental peace, cosy relaxation, and comfort to business travellers away from home and holidaymakers – helping everyone (landlords and guests) in the process. It feels really great to be contributing to society in this way, and I genuinely love what I do.

Alongside running Diverse Nation, I’m an expert in neurodiversity and neurodivergent-led design in property. I sit on multiple steering committees, and a trusted adviser on the policy, provision, and design of neurodivergent accommodation to large institutions, governing bodies, councils, architects, businesses, and charities.

Having lived in some of the worst and best examples of property, I know first-hand how a crippling or comforting space can affect a person’s life – even if they only stay in that property for a short time. I am on a mission to collaborate with property experts at ground level to help make property (whatever that property might be) psychologically and physically excellent places to stay.

Thanks for reading this.

Life’s full of ups and downs, but we do make it to where we want to be if we keep moving forward and keeping the faith in ourselves. Keep planning, keep pushing, and keep going because your future self will thank you for it.

Debra

Founder & CEO – Diverse Nation

www.diversenation.co.uk