The Key Club Podcast

In this episode of The Key Club Podcast, Michelle Cairns speaks with Bernadette Anderson, a London-based property developer who moved into property from a successful career as a global IT consultant. Bernadette won Property Deal of the Year at last year’s Property Investor Awards and is now Alumni Chair of the awards’ Winners’ Circle, where she is building a community of past winners and taking property education into schools and universities to inspire the next generation.Bernadette shares the story behind her award-winning project: a three-bedroom auction purchase converted into a high-specification six-bedroom HMO with a £900,000 GDV, plus a separate plot valued at £180,000. She explains how a 12-week delayed completion and a careful comparison of lender terms saved her an estimated £80,000 to £100,000 before construction began.She speaks openly about the challenges along the way, from a down-valuation days before completion to replacing a contractor mid-project and successfully challenging her valuation to add £115,000. Bernadette also discusses vetting contractors, the value of JCT contracts, understanding your risk appetite, and always honouring commitments to investors, making the case for steady, considered growth over speed.The episode closes with a preview of this year’s Property Investors Awards on Saturday 14th November at the Hilton Park Lane, where Bernadette is a finalist for HMO Deal of the Year.🎟️ Property Investors AwardsGet 50% off your ticket using discount code BERNI2026 (discount applies to the ticket price before VAT).Book your tickets here: https://propertyinvestorsawards.co.uk/Keep up to date with Michelle: https://linktr.ee/michellecairnsFor updates from the podcast and The Key Club head to: https://linktr.ee/keyclub.ukMost property investors don’t know what’s quietly holding them back. Take the PES Strategy Quiz and find out: https://pes-strategy.scoreapp.com

In this episode of The Key Club Podcast, Michelle Cairns interviews Pat Slattery, an entrepreneur, international speaker and business mentor who built a multi-million Euro business from humble beginnings in Limerick, Ireland. One of 16 children, Pat left school at 14 and went on to employ hundreds of people, and he now helps others close the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. The conversation explores why capable, well-funded investors still fail to act, with Pat arguing that the real barrier is execution rather than knowledge, and that property rewards informed decisions rather than perfect ones. He shares practical frameworks for cutting through hesitation, including his "will it make the boat go faster?" test for evaluating deals, and stresses treating property as a business stripped of emotion. Pat emphasises the power of habits and momentum, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and building relationships with agents and joint-venture partners, noting that "relationships create opportunities" and that property is fundamentally a people business. He also discusses managing expectations, trusting your gut when reading people, prioritising cash flow over portfolio size, and adapting to changing markets, closing with three questions he asks anyone stuck on the fence, encouraging aspiring investors to stop waiting and take action today.Connect with Pat: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-slattery-4823bb13/https://www.facebook.com/slatteryp/https://www.instagram.com/slattery.pat/Keep up to date with Michelle: https://linktr.ee/michellecairnsFor updates from the podcast and The Key Club head to: https://linktr.ee/keyclub.ukMost property investors don’t know what’s quietly holding them back. Take the PES Strategy Quiz and find out: https://pes-strategy.scoreapp.com

In this episode of The Key Club Podcast - Property Pickle, property experts John Howard and Michelle Cairns discuss the common pitfalls in property investment, focusing on planning issues that can arise post-purchase. They delve into the complexities of flood zones and restrictive covenants, emphasizing the importance of thorough due diligence and de-risking strategies before committing to a property. The conversation highlights the necessity of legal checks and the role of planning consultants in navigating these challenges.👉 Got your own property “pickle”? Share it with us here: https://bit.ly/PropertyPickleKeep up to date with Michelle: https://linktr.ee/michellecairnsFor tools, resources, and updates from the podcast, head to The Key Club Linktree. Most property investors don’t know what’s quietly holding them back. Take the PES Strategy Quiz and find out: https://pes-strategy.scoreapp.com

In this episode of The Key Club Podcast - Property Pickle, property experts John Howard and Michelle Cairns dive into the complexities of bridging finance in property development, focusing on managing delays, understanding lender relationships, and strategic risk mitigation.👉 Got your own property “pickle”? Share it with us here: https://bit.ly/PropertyPickleKeep up to date with Michelle: https://linktr.ee/michellecairnsFor tools, resources, and updates from the podcast, head to The Key Club Linktree. Most property investors don’t know what’s quietly holding them back. Take the PES Strategy Quiz and find out: https://pes-strategy.scoreapp.com

In this episode of The Key Club Podcast - Property Pickle, property experts John Howard and Michelle Cairns share real-life property "pickles" – common pitfalls investors face and how to navigate them.They discuss practical strategies for managing partnerships, structuring agreements properly, and dealing with unexpected challenges that can arise in property investing.This conversation explores real scenarios investors encounter, offering valuable insights on how to avoid costly mistakes and resolve issues when they occur.👉 Got your own property “pickle”? Share it with us here: https://bit.ly/PropertyPickleKeep up to date with Michelle: https://linktr.ee/michellecairnsFor tools, resources, and updates from the podcast, head to The Key Club Linktree. Most property investors don’t know what’s quietly holding them back. Take the PES Strategy Quiz and find out: https://pes-strategy.scoreapp.com

In this episode of The Key Club Podcast, Nick James breaks down what actually drives long-term success in business and property investment. He explains why clarity of vision, aligned strategy, and the right structure are essential for reducing chaos and building momentum. Nick walks through the distinct phases of business growth, showing how the tools and decisions that work early on must evolve as you scale. He also challenges the idea that success comes only from learning from industry icons, highlighting the power of learning from peers just a few steps ahead and the often-overlooked role of human connection in building sustainable businesses. The conversation finishes with clear, practical actions listeners can take immediately to move forward with confidence and intent.🔗 Get Your Free Strategic Planning Template Here: https://www.expertempires.com/keyclubKeep up to date with Michelle: https://linktr.ee/michellecairnsFor tools, resources, and updates from the podcast, head to The Key Club Linktree. Most property investors don’t know what’s quietly holding them back. Take the PES Strategy Quiz and find out: https://pes-strategy.scoreapp.com

In this episode of The Key Club Podcast, Michelle Cairns is joined by property entrepreneur and consultant Paul Lanfear for a powerful conversation about growth, reinvention and choosing a life that truly matters. Paul shares the remarkable journey that took him from a first class law degree and life at the Bar to building a successful property career, and why his priorities shifted so dramatically along the way.Paul reflects on the moments that forced him to confront what he really valued, including the painful loss of close friends that reshaped his understanding of success. He explains why every day presents a choice between growth or decline, and how recognising this simple truth can transform both your mindset and your future. From the chaos of the current economic climate to the renewed opportunities he sees in a pessimistic market, Paul offers grounded insights for anyone navigating change.This honest and thought provoking conversation explores personal development, grief, property investing and the courage it takes to redesign your life. Paul’s perspective invites listeners to pause, reassess and choose growth with intention.Connect with Paul: https://allmylinks.com/paul-lanfearhttps://paullanfear.com/First Breakfast Discovery Day: Direction of Travel, Road Map & 2026 Predictions https://www.meetup.com/leeds-property-breakfast/events/311563566/Keep up to date with Michelle: https://linktr.ee/michellecairnsFor tools, resources, and updates from the podcast, head to The Key Club Linktree. Most property investors don’t know what’s quietly holding them back. Take the PES Strategy Quiz and find out: https://pes-strategy.scoreapp.com