£15k doesn’t usually end up as a multi-million pound portfolio – but Samantha Collett has achieved just that in 5 years. Always focused on bringing business basics to her property portfolio Samantha has always sought to buy, rent and sell properties which her “customers/ tenants” want.

It’s a success that was buoyed when she was presented with the prestigious NLA Women in Property Award 2010 (West Midlands) last week. The NLA Property Women Awards celebrate the most effective and influential female landlords in the private rented sector today.

David Salusbury, Chairman, NLA added: “The standard of the 2010 entrants has once again been outstanding. Each year the judges are looking for dedicated and inspirational women who regularly go above and beyond”

Samantha is a passionate property woman and while still an active investor she also owns a successful property management agency, Gorgeous Homes, in Newcastle Under Lyme and Stoke, and manages VirtualLetz.com an online property matchmaking site for private landlords and tenants.

Her firm belief in investing for income has meant Samantha is thriving and buying even more in these difficult times. Samantha says “We are fortunate to have commercial funding with a bank who understands our business is making money from property rentals.

“Being a successful landlord means treating your property portfolio as a business. I take my principles from the retail sector – make sure you have a product (property) which your customers (tenants) want to buy and above all make sure you give them great customer service”.

NLA 2010 Women into Property Awards – the winners