Name: Jamie Apostolou
Job title: CEO/co-owner, Second Home
What I do: As the CEO of Second Home, a value led creative workspace and cultural hub, I work with and lead our team across three locations between London and Lisbon.
Why I got into the property industry: I’m passionate about design, architecture, brand and how space drives connection and creativity. Property, interiors, and spatial design have played a role throughout my career over the last 20+ years.
How I did it: Lots of failure, curiosity and tenacity, but also remaining consistent and open minded.
My first proper job: Analyst for a large Boston-based management consultancy where I worked with notable architects and engineers on capital projects around the globe.
My first big break: That first job, where I had to punch above my weight and navigate a steep learning curve, but ultimately learned many valuable lessons along the way that I use daily.
My inspiration(s): My family and friends, traveling and experiencing new things – culture, art, creative projects, people, etc. I’m fortunate to have worked in and seen a lot of different places which gives me a broad point of view on business, strategy and where we fit in the world.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Navigating Covid.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Turning around Second Home post-Covid whilst navigating massive changes across the industry.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That it’s boring and predictable.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: I don’t believe that there are enough adaptive reuse projects getting executed. This is largely because of prohibitive costs or a lack of subsidies, and I think there should be more opportunities available to utilise all the incredible buildings that exist vs adding more turnkey, steel & glass structures that erase historical character, leaving our cities looking homogeneous.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Because good ideas aren’t born in a vacuum and different people with different points of view offer truly creative and unique ideas that solve problems.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: Scaling Second Home and continuing to offer a different way to work.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: My grandmother.
What I do in my downtime: I’m a photographer and painter.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Likely something similar.
My advice for someone just starting out: Be willing to get outside of your comfort zone and take on anything that’s thrown your way. If you don’t know how to do it, say yes and figure out the answer later. Just keep going.
My motto/mantra: Progress over perfection.
