I FEEL honoured to be the new columnist for the property section of The Argus.

Brighton and Hove is one of the most exciting and creative cities to live in the UK, and I feel blessed to be also part of one of the most creative generations of all time.

The amount of small successful businesses is incredible and there shows no sign of this ambitious forward thinking city slowing down.

Property prices are at an all time record high and more Londoners are coming down fascinated and eager to be buying in this eclectic city, which is so amazing and unique.

I came to live in Brighton when I was 21 years old to attend Sussex University.

I knew I would love the vibrant life here due to my fascination for people from all walks of life and their different backgrounds.

I will never tire of meeting such interesting people, from the numerous dog walkers to the colourfully dressed people that turn heads every day.

After studying, through sheer passion and hard work, I have been lucky enough to set up my own business and design the interiors of more than twenty five properties in this city in the last eight years.

Ranging from small studios to 1500 sq ft penthouse apartments with sea views, some of these I have bought and sold myself and others I have designed for clients.

I would like to share with you my journey into what I do today and what I have learnt in the process.

My interior design journey began growing up in my family home.

My brother used to fill the house with The World of Interiors and House and Gardens magazines and my parents have always had a huge interest in antiques, collecting items from auctions and markets.

Although at a young age I didn’t have a particular passion for interior design, it has subconsciously sank in over the years and I am the one now obsessing about architecture, styles, old reclamation items, the history of buildings and interiors.

During my early teens, I would help my parents to run their motor trade business.

I particularly enjoyed helping my mother doing the accounts and this experience taught me at a young age the financial side of running a business and how much dedication it takes in any field.

I think to run a business, 80 per cent is drive and passion but you need to know how the nuts and bolts work, and the finances can’t look after themselves.

I was therefore already well equipped with that side of the business and then I went on to do an accounting course.

During the summers when I studied at Sussex University, I worked as a head stewardess on board a number of super yachts in the south of France.

A job which gave me great confidence to set up my business and undoubtedly opened my eyes to the high end clientele market and their surroundings.

On board and offshore we were exposed to the highest quality of luxurious interiors, some would be preposterous and others would be simply divine.

I was in charge with how the interiors of the yachts looked from flower displays in the saloons, to the particular fabrics and colours of bed linen used.

The very high attention to detail of cleanliness and beautiful smells were paramount.

I will never forget this aspect of presentation and each time I design a high end property, I relate it to the quality of the inside of the yachts and what I know high end clients are looking for.

This environment and working with top quality interiors has definitely helped my mindset, not only in my design technique but I take great care in the preparation of the finished article to the point of perfectionism.

Those days have given me inspiration and passion with the work I carry out today.

I am lucky enough to be able to still visit family in the south of France and it always gives me a huge boost of creative inspiration, not only for ideas with interiors but being successful in business, whenever I go there.

After leaving university, like many, I struggled with anxiety about what I wanted to do with my life and which career path to go down.

Once I realised that I didn’t ever want to work for anyone, running my own business became my passion and excitement.

It was in my blood to do my own thing and I used to work until 4am most days researching and getting ideas on interior design.

It was slightly nerve racking taking the jump to becoming self employed but I knew I had to take the leap to follow my dream.

I read many interior design and business books even when I was on holiday (I still do), and my brother used to say “Do you ever think about anything else?” I think when you find your passion and what you love to do, then your job doesn’t feel like a job.

Jumping out of bed every morning eager for the day is the best feeling in the world.

Even if you make a mistake, I see it as a learning curve and all part of the process and you can become much wiser for it.

I am proud to be in a generation of women who are taking charge of their own lives and living their dreams by setting up their own businesses.

It takes a lot of courage and tenacity. You have to breathe, eat and sleep your business at the beginning and your personal life will take a back burner and be sacrificed.

It’s essential to aim for a healthy work life balance to become more successful and happier.

Having strong values has helped me to keep grounded. I believe in treating people with kindness in business.

You don’t have to be a hard-nosed unfriendly woman to get to where you want to be.

A little tough yes, but politeness and understanding of peoples’ needs goes a long way and I think my business etiquette translates into my designs.

I have recently completed three very high end properties in Hove, all of which I try to create a lifestyle, a real home for the person who is going to be living in them.

It is important to me to create a feeling of calmness and warmth. The world and peoples’ jobs are so hectic these days and with technology seeping in at your every movement, it is essential that when you come home you feel at ease and happy.

I like to transform properties to fulfil their best potential. If they are period properties, then I will enhance the period features such as fireplaces and cornicing and make areas light and uplifting.

If the property is modern, I will work with the particular age of the building and use some antiques to mix up the styles.

I do also appreciate simple living too, as sometimes the interiors I design are not only high end but practical and have to be space saving. I find it fascinating to be able to make the most out of a room even if it’s the size of a shoe box!

I can turn my hand to anything and my different experiences in life have given me this opportunity of which I am most grateful. I can now walk into any room and imagine within a few minutes it completely finished to a high spec or for the best practicality.

I am looking forward to an exciting 2016, creating more wonderful spaces with new ideas in new homes for the people of Brighton and Hove. The city and the property market are buzzing even at this early time in January when businesses are normally quiet. A hint of things to come.

If you would like to contact me about my designs or would like to work with me, please email portiapond@hotmail.com or call 07795 217206. Alternatively please contact the manager, Toby Powell at Winkworths for my details. He will be happy to speak with you.