What happens when a people-first mortgage broker decides “good rates” aren’t enough, and sets out to change lives, industries and policy?
In this episode of The 99% Club – The Small Business Podcast, host Aaron speaks with Michelle about how early hardship pushed her into work, property-investing at 18, and building a client-education model that’s retired customers early. She also explains her petition to make childcare a legitimate business expense for self-employed founders, and her wider views on rebuilding UK business confidence. Inside the episode:
From nearly homeless at 17 to first home at 18 – the origin of a problem-solver operator
Why her mortgage practice is really a client education engine: equity, portfolios, and financial freedom
The ‘give, give, give’ growth loop – building a referral-only business by changing outcomes, not just rates
The Empowering Entrepreneur: a passion project to boost women’s confidence, skills and momentum
Policy talk: childcare as a business expense, funding gaps for women, and a call for a business-rates amnesty to revive high streets
The lettings landscape: regulation good, NI on rental income risky, and why PRS still matters for mobility
Culture over convenience: buying a premises post-Covid to build team cohesion and community
