#005 Kelvin Sillah: From Chartered Surveyor to Property Entrepreneur

#007 Aidan Doyle: Aidan Doyle: Leaving the UK to Sell 250 Million AED in Dubai Real Estate

What does it really take to leave the UK and build a career in Dubai real estate? In this episode of Property Founder, we sit down with Aidan Doyle, a Dubai-based real estate broker and co-founder of a media-first brokerage, Imara, to unpack the real story behind the move so many people talk about but few actually make. Aidan moved to Dubai at 19 knowing nobody, no clients, and no guarantees. The first year was brutal. Months without a deal, borrowing money to survive, and battling loneliness behind the scenes. Then everything changed when he leaned into content, personal brand, and a completely different way of building a brokerage. We dive into the realities of Dubai real estate versus the UK, the myths sold on social media and why media and self-mastery have been the biggest catalysts in Aidan’s rise. We also unpack mindset, environment, family expectations and what young agents/brokers need to know before chasing the Dubai dream. This conversation is for anyone considering Dubai real estate, building a personal brand, or questioning whether their current environment is holding them back. Topics we cover: * Why Aidan left the UK for Dubai at 19 * The reality of Dubai real estate behind the highlights * Dubai vs UK property opportunity * Building a media-first real estate brokerage * Personal brand as a growth engine * Self-mastery, mindset, and environment * What new agents must know before moving to Dubai If you are building in property, business, or thinking about making a bold move, this one is for you. Subscribe for more conversations with property founders, operators, and investors sharing the real stories behind the success. What does it really take to leave the UK and build a career in Dubai real estate?In this episode of Property Founder, we sit down with Aidan Doyle, a Dubai-based real estate broker and co-founder of a media-first brokerage, Imara, to unpack the real story behind the move so many people talk about but few actually make.Aidan moved to Dubai at 19 knowing nobody, no clients, and no guarantees. The first year was brutal. Months without a deal, borrowing money to survive, and battling loneliness behind the scenes. Then everything changed when he leaned into content, personal brand, and a completely different way of building a brokerage.We dive into the realities of Dubai real estate versus the UK, the myths sold on social media and why media and self-mastery have been the biggest catalysts in Aidan’s rise. We also unpack mindset, environment, family expectations and what young agents/brokers need to know before chasing the Dubai dream.This conversation is for anyone considering Dubai real estate, building a personal brand, or questioning whether their current environment is holding them back.Topics we cover:• Why Aidan left the UK for Dubai at 19• The reality of Dubai real estate behind the highlights• Dubai vs UK property opportunity• Building a media-first real estate brokerage• Personal brand as a growth engine• Self-mastery, mindset, and environment• What new agents must know before moving to DubaiIf you are building in property, business, or thinking about making a bold move, this one is for you.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro02:35 – Meet Aidan Doyle02:56 – Aidan’s First Property Seminar at 1708:01 – Becoming a Deal Sourcer09:41 – What Kept Aidan Motivated to Close His First Deal13:59 – Aidan’s Family History in Real Estate28:04 – Going from Liverpool to Dubai33:29 – How the Dubai Opportunity Came to Aidan39:48 – Juggling the UK & Dubai Businesses44:29 – The Mistakes People Make in Dubai Real Estate48:07 – The Early Struggles of Moving to Dubai53:32 – Selling 250 Million AED Worth of Real Estate in Dubai01:01:30 – How Aidan Found His Niche in Dubai01:12:54 – Advantages of Becoming a Real Estate Broker in Dubai vs the UK01:16:11 – Launching a “media-first” Brokerage01:24:03 – Creating Self-Mastery in Dubai

#006 Aqeel Khan: Building £3M in Property in Just 30 Months

In this episode of the Property Founder Podcast, we sit down with Aqeel Khan to break down how he built £3M worth of property in just 30 months — starting young and learning the hard lessons most people only see when it’s too late. Aqeel opens up about raising over £1.4M in capital, why he focuses on North West property, and how he’s built a done-for-you portfolio service for professionals like doctors and CEOs who want ownership, not just returns. We also go deeper than deals. Aqeel talks candidly about: * Going from imposter syndrome to real responsibility once people start watching * The pressure of influence and why he’s careful about what he promotes * Why he avoids pushing clients into high-risk development and bridging deals * Building a serious power team without formal partners * Using social media intentionally; not for clout, but to attract the right investors * The difference between content that looks good and content that actually drives business This conversation is about speed with discipline, capital with caution, and growth without losing your head. If you’re building in property, raising money, or navigating visibility while trying to stay grounded, this one will hit. 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with real operators building real businesses. Want to get started in property? Download our FREE Quick Start Guide to Rent-to-Rent: 👉 https://learn.propertyfounder.co/guide-page Timestamps: 00:00 –Intro 02:35 – Meet Aqeel Khan 05:08 – Background11:50 – Discipline & Mindset 13:19 – Why Property Builds Real Wealth 17:06 – First Property Journey 21:45 – Airbnb / Service Accommodation 24:23 – Leasehold vs Freehold Reality Check 31:02 – Pivot Mode 34:15 – Discovering the BRRR Strategy (Buy Refurb Refinance) 35:51 – First BRRR Deal 40:52 – Raising Finance: 44:18 – Raising £130,000 in 24 Hours (Social Capital Advantage) 55:23 – Adapting fast in Property 57:22 – Why BRR (BTLs) over HMOs 01:03:58 – Best cashflow business in Property 01:05:20 – How to profit around property as a service 01:14:33 – Personal branding

#005 Kelvin Sillah: From Chartered Surveyor to Property Entrepreneur

In this episode, we sit down with Kelvin Sillah, a Chartered Surveyor turned Property Entrepreneur, to unpack the real journey behind building a property business. Kelvin opens up about leaving the corporate world, managing development projects, alongside the reality of navigating HMOs, cash flow pressure and investor challenges. We dive into his recent pivot towards creative strategies like lease options and direct to vendor, why he chose to play a different game in the market, and what it really takes to keep going when things do not go to plan. This conversation is about patience, conviction, documenting the journey, and locking in for the long game. If you are building in property, considering a pivot, or figuring out your next move, this one will resonate. Want to get started in Property? Download our FREE Quick Start Guide to Rent to Rent: https://learn.propertyfounder.co/guide-page 🎙️ Subscribe for more honest conversations with founders building in real time Timestamps: 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8] – Intro01:22 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=82s] – Kevin’s Background06:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=414s] – How a teacher changed Kelvin’s career09:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=591s] – The influence of environment15:19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=919s] – Leaving the 9-517:58 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=1078s] – The first HMO deal23:17 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=1397s] – The Power of Accountability Circles25:48 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=1548s] – Managing a 12-Month Project32:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=1943s] – Raising Finance36:01 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=2161s] – Transferable Skills39:07 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=2347s] – Why taking a break matters42:36 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=2556s] – Lease Options & Assisted Sales49:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=2940s] – How an Assisted Sale works54:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=3280s] – Finding motivated sellers57:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=3424s] – Personal branding in Property01:01:41 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=3701s] – Mentorship & The Artist’s Way01:06:32 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=3992s] – Productivity Hack: Voice Notes & AI Journaling01:07:39 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy-kw8Mdr8&t=4059s] – Future plans & wrapping up

#004 Samuel Lawson Johnston: £280M Across 14 UK Buildings: Inside the Rise of Kinrise

In this episode, Samuel Lawson Johnston breaks down how he went from working in commercial real estate to co-founding Kinrise and deploying £280M into historic buildings across the UK. We explore the philosophy behind building places with purpose, the role faith plays in his decision making and how he balances running an investment agency with his creative ventures, including co-founding the eyewear brand Finlay & co. Sam opens up about the lessons that shaped him, the frameworks he uses to operate at a high level and what he has learned from regenerating 14 historic buildings while leading a values driven organisation. If you are an entrepreneur, someone in property or anyone interested in building with intention, this conversation will give you depth, perspective and a blueprint to think bigger. Want to get started in Property? Download our FREE Quick Start Guide to Rent to Rent: https://learn.propertyfounder.co/guide-page [https://learn.propertyfounder.co/guide-page]🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with property founders and entrepreneurs. Timestamps: 00:58 – Sam’s Introduction 02:31 – Early Aspirations and First Interests 06:51 – How Sam’s Upbringing Shaped His Career 15:24 – The Moment Sam Became an Entrepreneur 20:15 – Building an Investment Agency 28:43 – The Birth and Vision of Kinrise 43:51 – How Sam’s Projects First Came About 45:38 – Life and Community in Hackney 49:55 – How Sam’s Faith Shapes His Work and Kinrise 55:05 – Sam’s Business Partner and Their Dynamic 01:00:39 – Knowing Your Strengths in a Partnership 01:03:28 – Founding Finlay London 01:07:33 – Running Multiple Businesses Without Burning Out 01:09:30 – Advice Sam Would Give His Younger Self 01:12:03 – Sam’s Thoughts on the Planning Process 01:15:00 – The Future of Kinrise 01:17:43 – Is Sam Going Into Residential? 01:18:45 – Existing Buildings vs New Builds 01:23:11 – Sam’s Favourite Building

#003 How Dr Derek Adu Went from GP to Multi-Business Founder

In this episode, Dr Derek Adu breaks down how he went from a full-time GP to building multiple businesses across healthcare, peak performance coaching and property. We get into the mindset behind managing high standards in every area of life, why discipline matters more than motivation, and how he balances running companies while still leading in the clinical world. Derek shares the frameworks he used to scale, the habits that keep him sharp, and the lessons he wishes he’d learned earlier. If you’re an entrepreneur chasing growth, a professional thinking about your next move, or someone who wants to operate at a higher level — this conversation will hit home. Want to get started in Property? Download our FREE Quick Start Guide to Rent to Rent: https://learn.propertyfounder.co/guide-page 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with property founders and entrepreneurs. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 02:43 – Derek’s Background 05:04 – How Your Background Shapes You 10:05 – How Derek got into Entrepreneurship 12:14 – How Derek got into Business 15:24 – Importance of Clarity & Vision 21:55 – How Derek got into Property 24:52 – Why Property over another Business? 27:36 – Scaling Multiple Businesses 29:36 – Derek’s £1M+ Property Portfolio 34:08 – Deal Funding 40:54 – Important of Health & Fitness 45:39  – Lessons from being a Doctor in Business 55:30 – The Power of Content Creation 58:57 – Inspirational Figures 01:05:07 – Personal Development & Environment 01:11:34 – Advice on Starting Property