- Earlier in her career, Ms Allen was a chef
- Later she found herself working the law tech and conveyancing space
- After noticing a market gap, she went and founded triSearch
As part of our ongoing series of interviewing practitioners across the property industry, we have spoken to Taylah Allen of conveyancer-tech startup triSearch.
She started her career in sales, selling legal tech both in Australia and Overseas, quickly rising the ranks into a leadership position. In 2018, Taylah went out on her own to start triSearch.
The business has grown significantly since, with a doubling of headcount in the past six months alone.
Cooking to conveyancing
Like several key players in the industry we have spoken to, her background is far removed from tech or the property industries.
Originally, she was a full-time chef. While happy in this role, she knew it wasn’t going to be a long-term career, with another ingredient being pressure from her family, who wanted her to get a corporate job.
After doing one week of work experience at InfoTrack, a leading Saas e-conveyancing innovator, she became engrossed in the culture.
“I was offered a full time entry level role at the end of the work experience, and again, got ushered to take it because as much as it was uncomfortable for me to take such a big career change, it was more of a sustainable career than being a chef.”
Taylah Allen, triSearch
This role was the path towards the law tech and conveyancing industry.
“Getting a foot in the door through the work experience and then getting a role and making the most of the opportunity I was presented was a big influence on my success today.”
From there, Ms Allen was able to build up her skillset and became passionate about it as a career. She worked across many roles, including a stint in a senior role overseas.
“I’m very career driven and want to do my best in every role. Throughout the next eight years I grew up the ranks and made a big impression on the company by getting results.”
This experience accumulated in a deep understanding of the industry, including gaps in the market.
“Having the successful premium brand (InfoTrack) it made it hard to win some low-cost sensitive firms because there are those different markets in the industry, especially with the growing number of sole practitioners,” she explained.
“And that’s where the plan to start a more cost effective and less premium option in triSearch came from.”
Hiring the greatest challenge
When discussing the greatest challenge she faces as CEO, Ms Allen said, by far, is hiring the right people.
“It is so important to myself and our team’s culture that I hire people who will not only reflect well for triSearch and it’s financial and business goals but will be a perfect fit for us culturally,” she said.
“It’s hard but it’s something you always need to do. “
Additionally, she added another major challenge is to not get complacent with her company’s products and services.
“You need to always be looking ahead of your competitors and finding ways to innovate to give your clients the best service possible.”
In terms of opportunities, Ms Allen said it is too facilitate others in the growth of their professional career as others did for her.
“As CEO I’m positioned perfectly to have that influence on others and to give our team the best chance to work through a number of roles and progress quickly.
“I like to see people do the same as I have in terms of reach their goals and get the most out of their work.”
For triSearch as a whole, it is to continue creating more innovative technology to make the lives of Australian conveyancers better.
“There’s always options and opportunity for new things.”
Work hard, work smart
When asked what advice she would have for someone interested in commencing a career in her industry, she suggested developing your career into more management orientated roles, and experience different roles in the sector.
“That is what helped me get where I am today,” she said.
However, she conceded you need to be willing to work hard and smart.
“It’s not about having to bust a gut 24/7 and work non-stop because you end up not being efficient and burning out. I learned that working smart by looking at the people who do really well and how you can inspire to be them.
“So don’t be closed minded in that way. I think you’ve got to look at a lot of different people and how they’ve got to where they are and how they do the things that they do.”
Additionally, Ms Allen believes one should be able to celebrate success and reflect on both highs and lows.
“So, what went well and why, and how do we repeat it? You need to think about what didn’t go well and why as well as how could we have done a better?”
Lastly, Ms Allen added that “you should be true to yourself and know that no matter what your gender or role.”
“I have been lucky enough to work for great companies who don’t have gender bias so I think people should look to work for those types of companies.
“It doesn’t matter who you face and what they do or what gender you are, it really doesn’t matter.”
“What matters, is how hard you work and the results you can show for it.”
