First Deal Diaries

How One Creative Deal Built a £6m Property Business

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 had to replace his income and build a life that kept him closer to home. With limited savings and no credibility in property, he turned to creative thinking and launched a glamping business using a rent to rent strategy on a campsite in the Peak District. His solution focused mindset, relentless phone calls, and willingness to think differently helped him secure his first yes and finally get his foot in the door. Phil reveals how that first Mongolian yurt, funded by a £3,000 loan from a friend, became the foundation for something much bigger. Through Covid uncertainty, bold risk taking, and strategic joint ventures, he scaled into bricks and mortar holiday lets and built a £6 million portfolio in just a few years. He shares honest lessons about resilience, credibility over cash flow, managing cleaners and systems remotely, and the realities of working with JV partners. This episode is a powerful reminder that your first deal does not have to be conventional to be transformational, and that a strong reason why can carry you through every obstacle on the journey.

When the Bank Said No: Lessons From My First Deal

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 honestly about what went wrong, what he learned the hard way, and how private investors ultimately saved the project. Now with over 70 deals under his belt, Phil reflects on why that first deal still matters the most — and why getting through the messy ones is often what sets investors up for long-term success. If you’re in the middle of a deal that feels harder than expected, this episode is reassurance that struggle doesn’t mean failure — it means you’re learning.

From NHS Burnout to Impact Investing, Building a High Value First Deal with Purpose

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 her first major deal, Barry Avenue, a £675,000 off market purchase that became a high quality, impact led HMO delivering strong cash flow while supporting working professionals and women rebuilding their lives. They unpack the realities of taking on a large first deal, funding through remortgaging, managing a £150k refurbishment, navigating refinancing challenges, and the lessons learned around valuations and preparation. Alison also reflects on mindset shifts, resilience, family priorities, and how property gave her flexibility during a difficult season of life. This episode is an honest look at impact investing, confidence building, and creating property businesses that serve both people and long term goals, without losing sight of values along the way.

How to Scale Serviced Accommodation Without Losing Control

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 dive into her first deal, the lessons learned along the way, and how she’s expanded into management, BRR-to-SA, and HMO projects while keeping the business sustainable and profitable. This episode is packed with practical insight for anyone building serviced accommodation properly — with structure, strategy, and long-term thinking at the core.

The Reasons Most Investors Never Do Their First Deal

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 he’s learned from working with over 3,000 investors, the patterns that hold people back, and the mindset shifts that actually lead to action. This episode isn’t about hype or hustle. It’s about clarity, better decisions, and understanding what really stops progress — so you can finally move forward with confidence. Perfect for anyone stuck between wanting to invest and actually doing their first deal.