First Deal Diaries

In this inspiring episode of First Deal Diaries, Danielle Saunders sits down with Phil Saunders to unpack a first deal that was anything but ordinary. From working as a rope access technician on wind turbines across Europe to becoming a full time property investor, Phil shares the pivotal moment that changed everything. When long trips away from his young twin daughters became too much, he knew he...

In this episode of First Deal Diaries, I’m joined by Phil Bygrave, who takes us back to his first property deal — a complex scheme that delivered 10 HMO rooms and a flat, and very nearly didn’t happen at all. Phil shares the reality behind the spreadsheets: planning delays, a failed development loan, costly mistakes, and the pressure of holding a deal together when the bank said no. We talk honest...

In this episode of First Deal Diaries, Danielle Saunders is joined by Alison Symonds, founder of Symonds Property Solutions, to explore a powerful transition from a 17 year NHS career to full time property investing. Alison shares how burnout during COVID became a turning point, leading her to return to property with education, intention, and a strong sense of purpose. The conversation centres on...

In this episode of First Deal Diaries, I’m joined by Hollie Lawrence, founder of Character Stays, who shares how she built a high-quality serviced accommodation business in the Cotswolds — growing to 18 properties in just 18 months. Drawing on her background as a Global HR Director, Hollie talks openly about systems, leadership, and the realities of scaling fast without sacrificing standards. We d...

In this very special first episode of 2026, I sit down with Dominic Beecheno, property coach, mentor, and business strategist with nearly two decades of experience helping investors move from thinking to doing. We go deep into the real reasons most people never get past the starting line — fear, overthinking, self-sabotage, and waiting for the “perfect” moment that never comes. Dominic shares what...

In this episode Danielle speaks with Lisa Tope, a chartered physiotherapist whose first property deal quickly became what she now calls the flip that flopped. Lisa shares how a desire for financial security and a turning point in her personal and professional life led her into property investing, only to be met with delays, damp issues, builder breakdowns and spiralling costs. She talks honestly a...

In this episode Danielle speaks with Simon Wilkinson, whose journey spans a career in the army, years working offshore and a surprising first step into property through a deal he did not even realise was creative finance at the time. Simon shares how family, mindset shifts and a desire for more control over his future pushed him to learn, invest and eventually take on a major HMO conversion projec...

In this episode of First Deal Diaries, Danielle sits down with Nic and Matt Reeves, a Bristol based couple who shifted from supporting other people’s property projects to building their own. With years of experience in planning, design and construction, they share how turning fifty, reassessing their future and wanting to help their children onto the property ladder prompted them to seek education...

In this episode of First Deal Diaries, host Danielle Saunders sits down with HMO specialist Rob Martineau to explore his journey from long days on the tools to building a focused HMO management business on the south coast. You will hear how his background in refurbishments became a real advantage when stepping into the guaranteed rent model, how one well written landlord letter opened the door to...

In this episode of First Deal Diaries, I sit down with Zac Gould, an expat investor balancing life in Dubai with a growing UK property business. Zac talks through how a poolside moment with a book changed the course of his career, leading him and his wife Rachel to launch Hazel Green Homes and focus on high end HMOs. He shares the realities of doing your first deal from thousands of miles away, fr...

In this episode of First Deal Diaries, I sit down with Jim Hobson, a retired Army veteran who now runs his own IT consultancy business alongside building a property portfolio. Jim shares the story behind his first deal — a three-bed house in Gloucester that he transformed into a six-bed professional HMO. From drainage setbacks and redesigns to project management headaches, Jim opens up about the r...

In this episode of First Deal Diaries, I chat with Dan Norcross, who swapped a 25-year engineering career for life as a property investor and founder of Regal Relocations. Dan shares how he spotted a gap in the contractor accommodation market, secured six houses in just 24 hours, and built a £20K-a-month serviced accommodation business alongside his full-time job. We talk honestly about the highs,...