First Deal Diaries
Hosted by Danielle Saunders
Every investor has a first deal — the one that started it all.
First Deal Diaries takes you behind the scenes of real investors’ first property deals — from tough negotiations and creative finance to legal surprises and renovation challenges.
Hosted by property investor and developer Danielle Saunders, this podcast shares honest stories, real numbers, and valuable lessons from those first steps into property.
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.
5 Feb 2026
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.
29 Jan 2026
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.
22 Jan 2026
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.
8 Jan 2026
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.
18 Dec 2025
The Flip That Flopped, Lessons From a First Deal That Didn’t Go to Plan
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 about the decisions she would handle differently, the importance of self reflection and professional support, and how resilience carried her through a deal that shifted from a planned flip to a long term hold. Lisa also reflects on how this experience shaped her confidence, strengthened her mindset and ultimately guided her towards specialised supported housing, where her passion for people and property now come together with purpose.
11 Dec 2025
Red Flags and Fresh Starts: Simon’s Journey from Offshore Work to Family Focus
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 project that tested every part of his patience, resilience and judgement.
He talks openly about the red flags he overlooked and the structural problems that appeared partway through the build. With strong lessons learned and a renewed focus on simpler, stronger deals ahead, Simon reflects on what he would do differently, what kept him going and how property is helping shape his plans for his family and the future.
3 Dec 2025
Finding Purpose in Property, Nic and Matt’s Journey from Planning Pros to Ethical Developers
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, find the right community and begin shaping an ethical approach to investing.
They talk through the full journey behind their current deal, a corner plot semi secured well below asking price, now progressing through a complete refurb, planning gain and a forthcoming new build. Nic and Matt explain how they sourced the opportunity, why their planning knowledge gave them confidence and how consistent visibility and relationship building helped them raise more than three hundred thousand in private finance. Their story is a clear reminder that steady steps, strong values and persistence can open doors you never thought possible.
27 Nov 2025
How One Investor Turned Trade Skills Into a Scalable HMO Model
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 two HMOs, and what it takes to bring tired properties back up to standard while navigating missing information, compliance, and the pressure to move quickly.
Danielle and Rob also dive into the mindset shifts behind the scenes, from overcoming procrastination to building strong daily routines with meditation, affirmations, and greater self awareness. Along the way, Rob shares practical insights on choosing letting agents, managing HMOs professionally, staying ahead of compliance, and creating a business that supports long term freedom. If you are gearing up for your first deal or refining your strategy, this conversation offers grounded lessons, encouragement, and a timely reminder that real progress begins when you take action.
20 Nov 2025
From Dubai Dreams to Derby HMOs, An Expat’s First Big Leap into UK Property
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, from building a trusted team to navigating time zones and finding the right strategy. Zac also opens up about the challenges he faced, including the sudden loss of his lead contractor eight weeks into a full back to brick refurb and the pressure of Derby’s new Article 4 deadline.
We explore how he stayed calm under pressure, why he chose HMOs for strong cash flow and design led living, and what it really takes to keep a UK project moving when you live overseas.
If you are an expat planning to invest in the UK or a first time investor wanting a clear view of what a project can really look like behind the scenes, Zac’s story offers insight, reassurance and plenty of practical lessons drawn straight from experience.
13 Nov 2025
From Military Precision to Property Vision – Turning a Gloucester House into a 6-Bed HMO
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 realities of turning plans into profit. We talk about resilience, leadership, and the lessons that come from trusting your gut and building the right team.
If you’re balancing a career with your first property project, this episode is packed with practical advice, perspective, and proof that discipline and determination can take you a long way in property.
6 Nov 2025
From Aerospace to Accommodation – Building a £20K/month SA Portfolio
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, the hurdles, and the lessons learned — from juggling corporate life and spreadsheets to managing rapid growth. If you’re thinking about starting in property or scaling your first deal, this one’s packed with practical insights, mindset shifts, and proof that it’s never too late for a career change!
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