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Creating Community and Cashflow: The Story Behind Girls in Property with Athena Dobson
Manage episode 520164561 series 2486147
Key Topics Covered:
1. From Furlough to Property Freedom
- How COVID and furlough ended Athena’s high‑performing travel career overnight.
- Using that pause to ask, “Is this the life I want for the next 5–10 years?”
- Buying her first flat in Bournemouth, getting the numbers wrong, and why she still calls it her “baby” and best teacher.
2. Rent‑to‑Rent, Burnout and Pivoting Strategy
- Moving into rent‑to‑rent HMOs and serviced accommodation to generate cashflow.
- The reality of late‑night calls, guest issues and stress – including the Sunday night window incident.
- Handing back all rent‑to‑rent properties and feeling as free returning the keys as when she first got them.
- Pivoting to simpler, long‑term strategies: buy‑to‑lets and buy–refurbish–refinance, with flips and land development as future options.
3. Building Girls in Property: Community, Recurring Income and Support
- Walking into a networking room of 45 people with only three women and thinking, “That’s a shame.”
- Finding no UK‑based female property networks or podcasts, then launching Girls in Property in 2023.
- Growing from a passion project that made no money for over a year into:
- A sponsored weekly podcast.
- A £30/month online membership (two live calls a month: “prosperity” and property strategy).
- A national community hosted on Circle, plus summer/winter parties and an annual training event.
- How Girls in Property now replaces and exceeds her old salary as a recurring revenue stream.
4. Education, Strategy Choice and Market Opportunities
- “Don’t rush to buy a course”: only invest if you can implement from day one.
- Use free education first (podcasts, YouTube, books) and do due diligence on paid training.
- Choosing strategy based on four resources: knowledge, money, time, energy – plus personality and end goal.
- Example of a mentee who came for rent‑to‑rent but was better suited to partnering with an investor on flips.
- Why today’s market, with older landlords exiting, offers opportunities if you talk to people and build relationships with agents.
5. Health, Wealth and Your Own Version of Success
- Athena’s view of financial freedom as choice – the ability to respond to life, travel and allocate time where it matters.
- Burning out twice and realising “health is wealth” – long‑term wealth is pointless if you destroy yourself getting there.
- Her guiding question: “What does your version of success look like – and who’s standing next to you on that hill?”
- Current focus: simplifying businesses, building cashflow and wealth, and aiming to be retired by 50 with businesses that don’t rely on her daily presence.
Actionable Takeaways:
- Assess your knowledge, money, time and energy before choosing a strategy.
- Use free education first; only buy courses you’re ready to implement immediately.
- Document your journey from day one to build trust with future investors and partners.
- Avoid shiny penny syndrome – simplify down to strategies that fit you and your goals.
- Protect your health and pace yourself; wealth building is a long‑term game.
Resources & Next Steps:
- Girls in Property Community & Membership
- Girls in Property Podcast
- WealthBuilders Membership: Free access to guides, webinars, and community
Connect with Us:
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.
Next Steps On Your WealthBuilding Journey:
- Join the WealthBuilders Facebook Community
- Schedule a 1:1 call with one of our team
- Become a member of WealthBuilders
If you have been enjoying listening to WealthTalk - Please Leave Us A Review!
308 episodes
Manage episode 520164561 series 2486147
Key Topics Covered:
1. From Furlough to Property Freedom
- How COVID and furlough ended Athena’s high‑performing travel career overnight.
- Using that pause to ask, “Is this the life I want for the next 5–10 years?”
- Buying her first flat in Bournemouth, getting the numbers wrong, and why she still calls it her “baby” and best teacher.
2. Rent‑to‑Rent, Burnout and Pivoting Strategy
- Moving into rent‑to‑rent HMOs and serviced accommodation to generate cashflow.
- The reality of late‑night calls, guest issues and stress – including the Sunday night window incident.
- Handing back all rent‑to‑rent properties and feeling as free returning the keys as when she first got them.
- Pivoting to simpler, long‑term strategies: buy‑to‑lets and buy–refurbish–refinance, with flips and land development as future options.
3. Building Girls in Property: Community, Recurring Income and Support
- Walking into a networking room of 45 people with only three women and thinking, “That’s a shame.”
- Finding no UK‑based female property networks or podcasts, then launching Girls in Property in 2023.
- Growing from a passion project that made no money for over a year into:
- A sponsored weekly podcast.
- A £30/month online membership (two live calls a month: “prosperity” and property strategy).
- A national community hosted on Circle, plus summer/winter parties and an annual training event.
- How Girls in Property now replaces and exceeds her old salary as a recurring revenue stream.
4. Education, Strategy Choice and Market Opportunities
- “Don’t rush to buy a course”: only invest if you can implement from day one.
- Use free education first (podcasts, YouTube, books) and do due diligence on paid training.
- Choosing strategy based on four resources: knowledge, money, time, energy – plus personality and end goal.
- Example of a mentee who came for rent‑to‑rent but was better suited to partnering with an investor on flips.
- Why today’s market, with older landlords exiting, offers opportunities if you talk to people and build relationships with agents.
5. Health, Wealth and Your Own Version of Success
- Athena’s view of financial freedom as choice – the ability to respond to life, travel and allocate time where it matters.
- Burning out twice and realising “health is wealth” – long‑term wealth is pointless if you destroy yourself getting there.
- Her guiding question: “What does your version of success look like – and who’s standing next to you on that hill?”
- Current focus: simplifying businesses, building cashflow and wealth, and aiming to be retired by 50 with businesses that don’t rely on her daily presence.
Actionable Takeaways:
- Assess your knowledge, money, time and energy before choosing a strategy.
- Use free education first; only buy courses you’re ready to implement immediately.
- Document your journey from day one to build trust with future investors and partners.
- Avoid shiny penny syndrome – simplify down to strategies that fit you and your goals.
- Protect your health and pace yourself; wealth building is a long‑term game.
Resources & Next Steps:
- Girls in Property Community & Membership
- Girls in Property Podcast
- WealthBuilders Membership: Free access to guides, webinars, and community
Connect with Us:
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.
Next Steps On Your WealthBuilding Journey:
- Join the WealthBuilders Facebook Community
- Schedule a 1:1 call with one of our team
- Become a member of WealthBuilders
If you have been enjoying listening to WealthTalk - Please Leave Us A Review!
308 episodes
All episodes
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