At PeopleDem property we believe in celebrating our community by spotlighting black excellence in property. Today we are celebrating Sarah Stephen.
Sarah is the co-founder of Rehoboth & Stephen, a premier real estate company based in Knightsbridge, dedicated to helping buyers acquire premium properties in London and the surrounding areas. With over 15 years of experience in the property sector, including an impressive 11-year tenure as a Sales Executive at Foxtons, Sarah has established herself as one of London’s leading property advisors, driving multimillion-pound transactions and shaping the market through her expertise. Beyond her work in real estate, Sarah is a speaker and advocate for women’s visibility and financial empowerment. She actively participates in discussions and panels focused on genuine empowerment, driven by her belief that every woman deserves the opportunity to create the life she envisions, free from social or financial limitations.
Sarah has always held a deep conviction that her purpose lies in making a meaningful impact. Born in Nigeria, she witnessed from a young age the challenges and disadvantages faced by immigrants in the UK, particularly when it came to securing housing. Her decision to enter the real estate industry was shaped by the housing difficulties she and her mother experienced during her childhood. In the 1990s, securing accommodation in the UK, particularly in London, was a challenging process. There were long queues to get onto the housing list, and because her mother worked numerous jobs, she was often unavailable to stand in line.
One day, Sarah decided to take matters into her own hands. She and her mother camped outside the housing office in Brixton, Southeast London, so that they would be first in the queue by morning. This experience gave Sarah a glimpse into the reality of homelessness and how easily a person can find themselves without a home.
Going through this struggle made Sarah acutely aware of the challenges many people face when it comes to housing. When she and her mother finally moved into their own home, the feeling was indescribable. Her mother later went on to purchase several properties herself, driven by sheer determination.
Sarah has a creative flair and a deep appreciation for the arts, which initially inspired her to pursue a career in acting. She secured a place at the BRIT School and went on to perform at the National Theatre, culminating in an unforgettable experience at the Old Vic, where she participated in a remarkable 24-hour play under the direction of Kevin Spacey, who was the artistic director at the time. At 16, Sarah began working in the West End, gaining experience at iconic fashion houses including Selfridges, Harrods, Burberry and Versace. This immersion in the sector taught her what world-class service truly looks and feels like, providing a stark contrast to the socioeconomic challenges she had witnessed in immigrant housing.
Sarah’s property career began a few years later, when she was 18 or 19. At the time, she was working at Selfridges when someone employed by Foxtons approached her. The company was undertaking a major recruitment drive, and she was offered a car. Sarah seized the opportunity and began her property journey as a Sales Negotiator at Foxtons in 2008, shortly after the financial crash. It was a turbulent time for the industry, with many deals falling through because of people’s lack of trust in the market. What excited Sarah about working for a brand like Foxtons was its ability to find ways to make money, regardless of the circumstances. She quickly learned that periods of disruption could present some of the best opportunities to buy property.
When Sarah first joined Foxtons, she was drawn to the office environment. The large office at Chiswick Park was lively, with plenty of music, sweets, chocolate and food, which made the experience exciting for her. As a creative person who also loved the feeling of winning that sales provided, Sarah found that the role brought together her interests in a unique way. She had previously completed a course at the KLC School of Design in Chelsea, where she developed a stronger interest in interior design. When Foxtons approached her, the opportunity combined her flair for sales with her admiration for property, while allowing her to explore her ability to negotiate.
In an interview, Sarah shared that when she entered the property market, it was predominantly dominated by white men. Being the only Black woman was challenging, and she wanted to prove to herself that she could succeed. She went on to do so for many years. During her time at Foxtons, which spanned more than a decade, Sarah developed personal resilience, discipline and an unwavering commitment to delivering on her promises. She consistently completed multimillion-pound transactions, becoming one of the company’s top and most creative negotiators before being promoted to Sales Executive. Foxtons taught her that consistency is key and that success in the industry cannot be faked.
With her background in the arts and luxury brands, alongside her experience in real estate, Sarah developed a unique perspective on the relationship between people, the economy and wealth. Having worked her way up to senior manager at Foxtons, she began to recognise the amount of money she was generating for the company. Seeing some of her colleagues leave to establish their own businesses also prompted her to consider doing the same. She realised that if she did not take the leap then, she might never do so. Knowing that she wanted to build something of her own and employ people who looked like her when she was 18 or 19, Sarah decided to take that step and co-founded Rehoboth & Stephen.
Rehoboth & Stephen is a buying agency that focuses on three key areas: buying agency services, rental property finding, and corporate and relocation services. The company sources, negotiates and secures properties on behalf of its clients, acquiring private residences, second homes and properties for rental investment. Often, these acquisitions are made before properties even reach the open market. Rather than simply offering clients what is available, the company works to secure the properties they actually want. In the world of prime property acquisition, Rehoboth & Stephen has established itself as a leader in the industry. With a bias towards action, the company aims to ensure seamless and successful transactions, helping clients achieve their property ambitions. Its dedication and determination as a buying agency set a high standard, with a commitment to offering nothing but the best. Drawing on Sarah’s firsthand understanding of how important it is to have the right agent working on your behalf, her dedication to the acquisition process, from the initial search through to completion, makes the experience considerably more enjoyable for Rehoboth & Stephen’s clients.
One thing becomes clear when researching Sarah’s journey: her passion for giving back and creating opportunities, particularly for women. In addition to her leadership in real estate, Sarah serves as a trustee of the Hill Hub Foundation, an initiative committed to equipping individuals from underprivileged backgrounds with essential skills, financial literacy and the confidence to navigate conversations about money. Through her advocacy and leadership, Sarah continues to work towards a more equitable and promising future for women, helping ensure that economic empowerment remains within reach for all.
Sarah is delighted to see more women taking an interest in the property industry and recognising the importance of investing. She has had the privilege of helping women co-invest and bringing groups together to invest collaboratively. It is inspiring for her to witness women being innovative, exploring new opportunities in real estate and taking a stronger interest in shaping their financial futures. Sarah actively participates in discussions and panels that emphasise genuine empowerment, encompassing not only financial security but also confidence and equitable access to resources. She champions the belief that a person’s background or gender should never dictate their potential.
Sarah believes that if more organisations, particularly those in real estate, offered flexible working arrangements and sponsorship, there would be an increase in the number of women occupying senior positions. She believes women excel in these roles, especially when they embrace their femininity. Research indicates that companies led by women, or those with a higher percentage of women in leadership positions, tend to perform better financially.
If Sarah had the opportunity to reform or address one aspect of the real estate industry, it would undoubtedly be financial literacy and the role real estate plays in creating wealth. She strongly believes that the days when a person’s background or gender dictated their potential for success should be behind us, and that financial literacy can play a crucial role in breaking down these barriers. She also believes it is essential for children to learn about financial literacy from an early age. In many cultures, conversations about money are often considered taboo, yet financial understanding is vital to everyday life and should be discussed openly. By introducing concepts such as saving and investing in straightforward, accessible ways, particularly through real estate, Sarah believes it is possible to empower many more people.
As Sarah explained, if more real estate companies initiated programmes that took them into schools or provided resources focused on property and its role in wealth accumulation, this would be a significant step forward. Such initiatives could help individuals begin to understand money and investment from an early age, ultimately opening doors to new opportunities.
For Sarah, success would mean living in a world where gender equality is the norm in every room, including executive boardrooms. It would mean women and men being treated equally, with pay reflecting their contributions and capabilities rather than their gender. This is particularly important to Sarah as a parent of two sons and a daughter, whom she wants to grow up in a society that values and respects them equally. Success would also mean ensuring that women, particularly Black women, have equitable access to financial resources. Sarah believes no woman should have to endure the stress and frustration of being unable to secure the funding she needs. Every woman deserves a sense of stability, and when that security is lacking, it can lead to hidden struggles and personal crises.
These beliefs have strengthened Sarah’s aspiration to become a visible female leader in the industry, encouraging more women to engage with real estate and take proactive steps towards financial empowerment. Through her work, Sarah and her team at Rehoboth & Stephen strive to remain visible and provide practical solutions. As a woman, she understands that the outdated notion that women primarily desire luxury items such as handbags no longer reflects their true aspirations. Women are increasingly seeking security and a diverse range of options for their futures.
With the significant rise in the number of women entering higher-paying professions and leadership roles, Sarah believes it is crucial to acknowledge that women often have different financial goals from men. There is a genuine desire for long-term stability, which helps explain the growth of membership communities designed for women, where conversations about money are becoming increasingly open. This shift clearly indicates that the status quo is changing. Many of the most astute businesswomen in their families, including mothers and aunts, recognised the importance of collective prosperity through initiatives such as the ajo or pardner scheme, which enabled them to start businesses and thrive.
Sarah’s advice is to join these communities and speak up. Women should not hesitate to ask questions, and consulting a financial adviser is more accessible and affordable than they might think. The rise of social media has accelerated the breakdown of social barriers, particularly those that have historically kept women out of exclusive circles. By taking these steps, women can become more empowered and confident in their financial journeys.
In a previous interview, Sarah offered advice to Black women, who represent the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs. Her message was to take the big swing or leap and simply go for it. She explained that people rarely remember the consistent, reliable employee; instead, they remember those who make a significant impact. They remember the woman who speaks up, swims against the tide and adds an extra zero when negotiating. However, Sarah emphasised that this requires actively investing in personal development first. It is essential to commit to the often-tedious work of improvement and build a strong foundation of expertise, always aspiring to become the best in your field.
Sarah recalled her time at Foxtons, where she had to make at least 50 to 70 calls within a three-hour window each day, ensuring that every conversation was meaningful. Her diary was filled with appointments and served as a snapshot of her business. When she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, she knocked on 50 doors a day, asking sellers whether they would consider selling through her. She sent countless emails, often without receiving replies, yet remained undeterred and never felt entitled to success. For Sarah, the secret is to understand your purpose, start with a problem and offer a solution. She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on what they can do better than anyone else in their industry, develop a deep understanding of their niche and communicate their message so simply that even a child could understand it.
It has been an honour to share Sarah’s story. She has built an incredible career while advocating for others and creating opportunities for so many people in the community. Her journey is also an example to young Black girls, demonstrating that they, too, can achieve incredible things in the property industry.
