Neither had worked in an estate or letting agency before, or had any family links to the industry, so while we all go through the 'you have to start somewhere' mindset, it really was unfamiliar ground for the pair of them. The idea felt right, but the execution of it was another matter. 

Their very first office was in the shed that was based in the bottom of the garden at John's parents' house.

Steve refers to the beginning as “the blind leading the blind”. At the time, they thought things were working because they were starting to grow their landlord portfolio. In reality though, the business hadn't yet been able to build a respectable name locally, and the pressures were mounting.

Early Setbacks and Hard Lessons

Determined to make it work, John and Steve invested in a business coach. In hindsight, it was a costly lesson – finding themselves giving away time and money without meaningful results on their bottom-line.

With families to support, the stakes were high for both business partners. And to make matters harder, they were evicted with love from the garden shed once lockdowns and bubbles came into play during Covid.

Rather than walk away from the business altogether, they made a conscious decision: to continue looking after the landlords who trusted them.
They moved from the shed into a small rented serviced office, the smallest they could find with one room, minimal overheads, and maximum determination. 

The Turning Point: Agent Rainmaker
The real breakthrough came when they attended an Agent Rainmaker (ARX) bootcamp webinar. Within four days, they were exposed to business fundamentals they've never been taught – especially around charging properly for all the services they offered, and the importance of building a clear and effective sales funnel.

At that stage, their portfolio was too small to increase fees in order to move the needle. They looked instead at their assets and growth options. 

A Bold Move: Acquisitions & More Acquisitions
Trailblazer Sally Lawson, who owns and runs Agent Rainmaker, believes that the fastest way to grow is through strategic acquisitions. John and Steve jumped on the idea, deciding to take on a portfolio that no one else wanted. The previous agent had left behind serious issues, from unpaid rent to poor record keeping, and what felt to them like a lot of “skeletons in every cupboard.”

Despite believing they'd made another huge mistake, they stayed on course. And by applying what they'd learned from structure and systems, to pricing, leadership and marketing – they stabilised the portfolio and turned a perceived liability into a foundation for proper, sustainable scale.

Doing Things Properly 

After attending another webinar, they realised something important: results come from doing things properly, not quickly. From there, they cemented their structures and processes, and continued to focus on service value and growth. And the momentum followed suit: 

• Portfolio growth: 35 properties to over 500
• Location: Shed, to High Street office
• Team: Just them, up to 18 staff
• Services expanded into sales, commercial, investor services, and off-market deals
• Additional revenue generated: £1.1 million

This growth didn't come from luck. It came from learning, refining, and repeating.

Today, John and Steve run Houseshaw, a respected, scalable agency with clear leadership, diversified income streams, and a business model built to last.

Their journey is proof that:

• You don't need agency experience to succeed
• You need the right thinking, structure, and guidance
• Sustainable growth comes from valuing your time, your services, and your expertise.