I have been thinking this week about the possible mistakes that business owners make and why when the business is up and running, the reality is not what they had dreamed or imagined. Non of us start a business thinking that it will run at a loss for years or at best just cover costs.

As always with anything new, we have had some teething problems, but the developer is working over the weekend to enact fixes.  When does anything go to plan and everything work immediately; rarely in my experience what about you?

NAPSA’s social media creation and scheduling is now in the safe hands of the amazing Andromeda Video Team.  We believe that this move will allow the core NAPSA Team to focus on more members driven support going forward.

When you had a dream of running your own business, before you set it up and started to trade did you have a vision about what it will look like in say 3-5 years?  Of course you did, as we all do, but has the reality reflected that dream? 

I think that it is possible that about 20% of companies run at a loss and maybe the next 60% above them only break-even; do you agree with this, where is your business right now?

That leaves the other 20% who are doing between ok, doing well or are exceptional.  

If you search Google as to how many UK companies have a £1m+ turnover it is between 4-10% only that hit those dizzy heights.  

General Business owners are essential to the running of the business and often work very long hours, responsible for every role in that business.  They want sufficient income to cover their wished for lifestyle, with no focus on the end game and how they free themselves up from the day-to-day running of their business.  The business is often very locally focused with manual processes, the business is personally funded and so there is little or no ability to scale.

Of course it can be scaled, but just like the entrepreneur set up, you have to focus on your foundations, build for the future, those systems, processes and procedures, how you handle every client, and every deal are key to future success.  Set yourself apart from the rest, become known as the expert in your geographical area for something specific, like HMO’s, BTL’s or serviced accommodation, be exceptional at one or two strategies, don’t try to do everything, everywhere, that’s what many sourcing agents are taught where the money is; but how many actually end up with a successful business or do they just become part of the noise? 

Yes, operating legally and within the law is also important, but your systems, processes and you using them day in day out are what will allow you to scale.

Learn the ropes on your own, know your own patch well, know your chosen investment strategies very well, do several deals, work with a couple of different investors, and then link and build relationships with other quality sourcing agents or deal packagers and cover locations or strategies that you’re not familiar with, share a fee, yes, but increase your reach and then of course your company turnover; you could end up having the ability the cover the whole of the UK with your extended agent contacts!

New NAPSA Property Connect Community – Private Approved NAPSA Members and Investor Community ONLY – Deals can be advertised directly to investors – No charge from NAPSA for either members or investors for this service, members are receiving emails inviting them to the new group! We are currently inviting serious property investors to apply to join now

Are you a Property Investor - Why not apply to join the community now!

NAPSA Webinar – 27th January 2026 (Link to reserve a place will be available shortly) – Open to Sourcing Agents, Deal Packagers and Investors who want to learn more about the research and the data and how NAPSA can support, guide and help keep everyone much safer as well as what NAPSA does and of course the new Community!

 

Happy New Year everyone, NAPSA is here to support you in 2026!

Tina Walsh

Founder & CEO - NAPSA