Name: Karolina Adamczyk
Job title: Chief visionary officer at Ademchic
What I do: I curate interior designs, branding and marketing that sells properties off-plan, maximising our clients’ return on investment many times over.
Why I got into the property industry: Before setting Ademchic up, I was in banking, blending product management, tech and commercial delivery, but my heart was always longing for designing interiors, marketing and brands. I decided to take a leap of faith and go create the life that will excite me, designing beautiful new homes every day while still focusing heavily on the commercial element – enabling early, successful exit for my clients.
How I did it: I went down to a three-day employment contract at the bank and gradually built my business behind the scenes.
My first proper job: I was an international management trainee for global shipping company Maersk – which is probably where my understanding and subsequent management of supply chains comes from.
My first big break: Probably the time I went to China by Mountbatten Homes in 2018 to source specifications for two of their developments. It was shortly after I left my corporate career, so I had to pinch myself!
My inspiration(s): I’m inspired by every developer we work with seeing their tenacity in achieving planning and overcoming complex delivery issues on every project.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Hiring. Particularly finding people who have the same positive attitude, strong work ethic, are aligned on values, excellent executors and also design to the style of our studio. The style bit is particularly important and difficult to get right.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Building an amazing team that works so well together, that I want to hang out with every day and that designs truly aspirational property schemes.
My biggest screw-up: Being too cautious and taking too long to scale to where we are today. It’s a female thing!
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: It’s a get rich quickly scheme. Sometimes the margins are really tight once you encounter unforeseen circumstances. You need a strong team around you with the right focus, attention and tenacity in resolving all sorts of challenges. Don’t go into property if you’re not a problem solver!
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: Planning. It’s such a challenge particularly for the SME developers. They have a vision and appetite to build homes that are higher quality than housebuilder stock. With a more efficient planning process, they would be able to make a serious dent on the housing target, but they often get stuck in an antiquated and inefficient system that genuinely needs radical reforms.
When I became interested in ESG: It’s always been a part of mine and the Ademchic’s make up as we’re always looking for ways to design and build better.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Because the built environment is for everyone and needs everyone’s input. Otherwise, the outputs are not catering to the needs of every individual.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: Expanding the business, scaling up adoption of our new online platform (more on that below), continuing working with brilliant developers, while enjoying a bit more beach/down time.
My main career goals right now: My next professional challenge is driving a wide implementation of Ademchic’s interior design platform. It’s a tool that will allow every developer access to Ademchic-curated development interior design packages that can be delivered in just two minutes. The next five years will be extremely exciting.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: My dinner party would include four people who I admire greatly: Tony Robbins, a business and life coach who has had a massive impact on me and my ability to design a life I want; Barbara Corcoran for her fierce personality, determination and ability to build an inspirational business in a man-dominated real estate space; Elon Musk, for his fearless innovation, high standards and a mission-driven life; and, last but not least, Steven Bartlett because I can’t stop listening to his podcasts and I’d love him to invest in our online platform! Just imagining this group in one room and the energy they would generate makes me smile.
What I do in my downtime: Walk my dog, play tennis. Work is also a hobby too, because I do what I love every day.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I’d probably be developing my own projects – I love it and have the experience of adding value. I’d love to do some JVs at some point. For anyone looking for our skillset and a partner, DM me on LinkedIn.
My advice for someone just starting out: Work hard, be tenacious, focus on adding massive value to your clients.
My motto/mantra: The best way to predict the future is to create it.
