Well, what an incredible evening was had last night as the AFL awards dinner. Such an inspiring room full of like minded, hard working individuals all led, taught and nurtured by the great team at AFL. This year has been a game changer for us, and joining the Commercial Conversion bootcamp back in June was the pivot that changed everything. Mark Stokes and Nigel Green bring so much experience to the table, steer us in the right path when maybe we fall off the pavement. Wow, what a team! And Georgia for being so patient with us!! 🤭 Liam inviting us to appear on one of his podcasts, well that another level of wow..!! And then this happened…. Not one, but 4 awards. We cannot thank the team at AFL enough for their support and for recognition of the blood, sweat and maybe a few tears we’ve put into this year.

Wow what a week….. 🤩 To start with we spent a few days away in the Isle of Wight at the festival with friends. Saw so many amazing bands it was one heck of a weekend for music.. and maybe a beverage or two 🤭 However, on the property side we wanted a pipeline and movement, well we have it!! Oxford House is in legals and keys due anytime and can’t wait to get started. We have decided to retain and run as a short term let property 👏 (4 month project) Derelict House we offered on was accepted Weds with a refundable deposit of just 10% subject to planning! What a result, the power of feeling in control and all that!!! 💪 (14 months project) We are going through the motions of purchasing a new build project where the previous investors left the contractors high and dry. Means we can get a great price for the started project but the end result and GDV means huge returns… another great result and the power of negotiation and confidence. 👌 (6 month project) Never thought I would say we have purchased a funeral home … but we have!!! 🫣🤭🤩 to covert to 9 apartments. This is a Blue Plaque building listed, so just a few hoops have been scrambled through by the our power team to sort this. Final plans to be submitted. And get this, we have managed to agree a Lease Option and pay on exit at an unbelievable price. 🏆😃 (2 year project) And finally, the Grade II listed commercial site in Banbury, we have the final meeting on Tuesday so add data to the offer then we go to offer. 🤞(2 year project) Something Rob said earlier this week “Here we go fasten your seatbelts we are about to take off”. This will all be about planning and making sure we build in contingencies to allow for delays in build etc. But we have such a strong and willing power team and the due diligence they are putting in and questions they are asking to ensure we get a tax relief where we can, SDLT relief where we can and building high end but at cost because of how we’ve agreed the project set ups and relationships.

Well, after 21 years of running my own company, today marks my last day. To say it’s been emotional is an understatement. There have been a few tears while writing emails and saying goodbye, and the realisation of many “lasts” has definitely hit hard. What makes it toughest is leaving behind two of the most important people in my life: my wife, Helen (our brilliant CFO), and my business partner and friend, Dave (now stepping into the MD role). Even though I’ll see Helen tonight and Dave at the weekend, it doesn’t make it any easier to let go of something we’ve built together. But with every ending comes a new beginning — and this next chapter is the one I’m most excited for. For the first time in my life, work won’t be the main focus. That said, I’m already knee-deep in setting up our new property group and pushing forward some exciting projects. So maybe that balance is still a work in progress... My real aim now is to flip the script — to put fun first and let work fall in around it. I’ve been inspired by the younger generation who seem to treat work more like a passion or hobby. I plan to take a page from their book — turning my new VW campervan into a home and office on wheels, giving me the freedom to enjoy the outdoors and still stay productive when needed, I will still live at home with the family 😂 Rewiring my brain from 30 years in the industry — including 21 years of owning my own company — will be the biggest challenge of all. My default setting has always been Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 5:00 (and usually more, as all business owners know!). So shifting gears won’t be easy… but I’m ready for it. Let’s be honest — it’s a first-world problem. So I’ll hit it head-on, the only way I know how. I’m also really looking forward to getting to know more of you better now that I’ll have the time and headspace to focus fully on the property world. It’s been a wild and wonderful ride.

Hi all, As previously posted here is my review of the 5AM club, this time it was digested as a audio book, enjoy. The 5 AM Club delivers a motivational message through an engaging fictional story about a struggling artist, a burnt-out entrepreneur, and an eccentric billionaire mentor. At its core, the book promotes the idea that waking up at 5 AM and following the "20/20/20 Formula" — 20 minutes of exercise, 20 minutes of reflection, and 20 minutes of learning — can transform your mindset, productivity, and life. The narrative style makes the concepts easy to digest, and Sharma offers clear, actionable frameworks like the 90/90/1 rule and the twin cycles of elite performance. The tone is consistently uplifting, with a strong focus on personal growth, discipline, and living with purpose. That said, some readers may find the storytelling a bit drawn-out or overly idealistic, especially if early mornings aren’t practical for their lifestyle. Still, the book’s key message — using your mornings intentionally — is valuable regardless of your exact wake-up time. I found it a bit "hippy" in places with all of the dolphins and butterflies.....🤣 In short, The 5 AM Club is an inspiring and practical read for anyone looking to take control of their time, build better habits, and lead a more focused, intentional life. Would be good to have a billionaire mentor though,

Good morning fellow AFL community! Can anyone recommend a strong reliable commercial Solicitor / Conveyancing contact? Wanting some quotes quite sharpish!! Thank you in advance …