by Joanne Hewitt
Joanne Hewitt Conveyancing Services

Back in 1996 I was working for a small firm of Licensed Conveyancers in Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne. The firm specialised in residential conveyancing. I had my own caseload and was dealing with clients both on the telephone and in person. We are all aware that moving house can be a very stressful time. As time went on I found that I was getting more repeat clients and building up my own client database. However I was not being paid the salary of a qualified person.

In 2001, with the help and support of my then boss, I enrolled on the Council for Licensed Conveyancers distance learning course to qualify as a Licensed Conveyancer. It was very daunting when the course work arrived. Just thinking that I was going to learn the law of the land was absolutely terrifying!

There are five exams to pass in order to qualify as a Licensed Conveyancer and it seemed like a lifetime away. However, I started the course and can say that sometimes after a day's work and then coming home to see to the family, getting course work out at 9.00pm was not very appealing. My family were extremely supportive at this time and especially when the exams came round. Nobody dared speak as I had my head in my books and was demanding silence.

In July 2006 I changed jobs and went to work at one of Newcastle upon Tyne’s most prestigious firms, Mincoffs. I continued with my studies, taking the exams one at a time to ensure that I passed first time.

On 14th August 2009 the envelope arrived with my final exam result in the post. I could hardly open it. It was the news that I had been waiting for. I had passed. No more exams!

The next step was to apply to the Council for Licensed Conveyancers for my licence. Their requirements are very strict, even though the CLC are there to help conveyancers. In December 2009 I attended the Council for Licensed Conveyancers Head Office in Chelmsford for my interview with the Committee. At last, after 8 years, I had been granted my licence.

January 2010, I have opened my own firm of Licensed Conveyancers. My firm may be small at the moment but I have to say, I didn’t think that I was so ambitious.

My message to all women is “just go for it”.  Whatever it is that you are trying to achieve, keep going. You can do it.

5 Top Tips for Studying Towards a Business Start Up

1. Don't try to study if you are not in the mood. It is a waste of your time and energy. Just wait until another day.
2. Take up offers from family and friends to look after the children for a couple of hours.  They will really be happy to help you.
3. Try and make contact with other people doing the same course as you. If you get stuck in a rut or have a problem you will have someone to talk to.
4. When you have submitted your work for marking, forget about it. Don't worry when you remember that you have forgotten to include something. There is nothing you can do so just wait for it to be returned to you.
5. The evening before an exam try to relax. It sounds impossible, I know, but get the kids to bed, have a nice warm bath and a glass of wine. You will feel much better when you are doing your last little bit of revision before the big day!