In this month’s Business Spotlight, we meet one of our regulars, Mark Gollan, who is a franchise owner at Yopa.
How would you describe your business in one sentence?
Estate Agent Services Including Mortgage and Legal services
How did you get started?
I got fed up with the High Street Corporate way of selling property. Yopa has been a disrupter and shown home owners that there is a better and more cost effective way to sell their homes. The hardest part was getting the Yopa brand name out there. I discovered Social Media and we now reach 9m people per year on our Facebook and Youtube platforms
…and how are things going currently?
We are a very well established business now- I have two territory managers, a viewings manager and admin staff. Looking forward to an even busier 2026.
What are the small, super-niche things you love about your business?
The ability to pull a lever and get a response so quickly. Even after 4000 plus house sales, I still get a buzz at key handover.
What is the biggest challenge about operating a small business in the Highlands?
The relatively small spare population can be an issue however we cover a lot of ground very quickly: we can upload a video at 1700 and reach 10000 customers by breakfast the next morning.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since starting your business?
COViD ! How to sell a property that you can’t view? The solution is video: we are on average selling 1 property a month that the buyer hasn’t viewed!
Why do you think the Highlands is the BEST place to run a small business?
You can become very well known in all of the small communities and, if you do a good job, get referrals from within these communities on a regular basis.
What’s something your business offers that you’re really proud of?
We have won the Top Yopa Agent award two years in succession – something that I and my team are very proud of.
What’s your most popular product/service — and why do you think that is?
Our Ultimate Package – it includes Professional Photo Shoot, Digital Dolls House Tour, Facebook and YouTube video marketing as well as the major property websites.
What’s playing in the background while you work
I like peace and quiet – when I am returning home late from a valuation Classic FM allows me to de-compress.
What’s your customer round-trip-record?
A whole day – needed to get a rowing boat to get to an island off Badachro.
Any “oops” moments you can laugh about now?
Just before my annual weeks holiday I did a video of a £700k property and managed to miss out the family bathroom!!
What’s your favourite way to unwind after a long day?
Swim and a sauna.
Tell us one industry secret that we probably won’t know (bonus points if knowing will improve our lives):
It’s not always the best advice to sell! I have lots of sellers over the years that needed an outsiders look at their situation that resulted in finding a way forward that didn’t involve selling their property.
What’s next for you or your business?
Looking to continue to grow market share – going to do more YouTube property related content too.
Where can people find you?
Emai: mark.gollan@yopa.co.uk
Tel: 07729678410
Web: www.yopa.co.uk
Favourite local spot
The Redcastle Road – just before the boat house.
Best advice you’ve ever received
Copy the successful people.
Best business book you’ve read
How to win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
Current obsession
My YouTube channel and how to improve it.
One thing you never leave home without
My AA card!
One word to describe your business
Fun!
Favourite biscuit
Digestive with butter and cheddar please…
Shout-out another small Highland’s business you love at the moment
Mariusz Flasza. I have learnt so much from him in terms of video production.