Send us a text

In this week's episode of The Elite Agent Masterclass, Holly sits down with Graham Howell; estate agency veteran, mentor, and now self-employed partner agent at The Avenue Estate Agents. From corporate beginnings at Connells to regional training at Purplebricks and Yopa, Graham has lived and breathed agency for over 20 years. Now, he’s building a business rooted in local community, family values, and relationship-first agency.

They explore the real journey behind self-employment: the freedom, the pressure, the mental game, and the honest realities no one talks about on LinkedIn. Graham shares his experience of launching his self-employed business just weeks before the COVID-19 lockdown, why personal brand and process matter more than ever, and what most agents get wrong when they transition from employed to self-employed.

Topics covered include:
 – The difference between great agents and great business owners
 – Mentoring with meaning and the importance of lived experience
 – How self-employed agents can protect their energy and build relationships that last
 – Building a brand that reflects who you are, not who you think you should be
 – Why more training doesn’t always mean better training
 – What Graham learned from the tough moments and how they shaped his values
 – The truth about support, accountability and what makes a brokerage model work

Graham also reflects on working with the co-founders of The Avenue and the camaraderie and connection that define the network. With heartfelt stories, a touch of humour, and real insight, this episode is a must-watch for anyone in the estate agency space, especially those considering a leap into self-employment.

📍Watch now on YouTube or listen via Spotify & Apple Podcasts.
 📲 Subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode.

Engage With Us
Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes? Send us your thoughts and stay engaged with the Elite Agent Masterclass for more expert insights on transforming your career.

Connect with James on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with Jack on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with TEAM on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Send us a text

Welcome to the final part of our special In Conversation trilogy with the UK’s leading psychological performance coach, Stephen-James Copp.

In Episode 1, we explored how the brain is wired and why the stories we tell ourselves matter.
In Episode 2, we uncovered the origins of those stories, from parents and peers to experiences that leave lasting imprints.
And now in Episode 3, we dive into the solutions: how to break free from limiting patterns, how to implement practical tools into your life, and how to turn pain into purpose.

Stephen also shares his deeply personal journey into psychology — from growing up with low self-esteem to navigating the devastating loss of his son, and ultimately dedicating his life to understanding the human mind and helping others transform.

👉 In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why belief is the foundation of lasting change

Practical solutions you can start applying immediately

How to create new data sets and rewrite your narrative

Why success stories (Lady Gaga, Freddie Mercury, Elton John, Adam Lambert) are built on persistence, not luck

How to distinguish “overnight success” myths from the years of work behind them

Why famous performers are just normal people who developed exceptional skills

The real meaning behind the Law of Attraction (without the woo-woo)

Why you can become whatever you want to be (with self-awareness of limits)

The truth: you make your own luck, and lucky people are often those who work hardest

The urgent need for belief, inspiration, and positive role models in today’s world

Stephen’s message is both scientific and inspiring: you don’t need to wait for a break, you can create one. By applying consistent effort, reframing setbacks, and building strong daily habits, you can step into the version of yourself you were meant to become.

This episode concludes a journey that took us from awareness → origins → solutions. If you’ve watched the whole trilogy, you now have the clarity, inspiration, and tools to move forward.

📌 Revisit Episodes 1 & 2 for the full context.
📺 Subscribe to the Elite Agent Masterclass channel for more conversations that blend psychology, performance, and mindset growth.

🎧 Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Engage With Us
Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes? Send us your thoughts and stay engaged with the Elite Agent Masterclass for more expert insights on transforming your career.

Connect with James on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with Jack on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with TEAM on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Send us a text

Welcome back to In Conversation — the Elite Agent Masterclass series with James Humphries-Stone and leading psychological performance coach Stephen-James Copp.

In Part 1, we explored how the brain can be rewired and how stories shape our beliefs. In Part 2, we go deeper: where do these thought patterns actually come from, and how can we begin to change them today?

Stephen shares powerful insights into how subtle experiences in childhood, the words of our parents, or even the dynamics we observe between others can leave lasting imprints. These narratives often grow into the most common limiting belief: “I’m not good enough.”

👉 In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why even loving parents unintentionally plant limiting beliefs

The hidden power of words — “words are spells” that shape identity

How mirror neurons mean children copy what they see, not just what they’re told

Why peers and teachers play a pivotal role in rewriting early stories

How trauma or dysfunction can either drag you down… or drive you to succeed

The difference between compliance and rebellion — and how it shapes adult outcomes

Why journaling, micro-habits, and daily rituals are powerful tools for change

How to use anchors (smell, colour, memory) to lock in positive beliefs

Why no-one is coming to save you — and how to take accountability today

Stephen’s examples range from simple childhood misunderstandings, to sibling rivalries, to how one supportive teacher or coach can flip a lifelong story of self-doubt. His message is clear: awareness, reframing, and small daily wins are the pathway to lasting confidence and performance.

Whether you’re a parent, a leader, or someone looking to break free of unhelpful stories, this episode gives you practical tools you can use immediately.

📌 This is Part 2 of 3 with Stephen-James Copp.
Subscribe now to catch Part 3, where we dive into actionable solutions and the outcomes you can expect by making these mindset shifts.

🎧 Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (search: The Elite Agent Masterclass)
📺 Subscribe here on YouTube for the full series

Engage With Us
Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes? Send us your thoughts and stay engaged with the Elite Agent Masterclass for more expert insights on transforming your career.

Connect with James on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with Jack on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with TEAM on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Send us a text

In this first part of our three-part series, In conversation with Stephen James Copp: mastering the mind for high performance, James sits down with the UK’s leading psychological performance coach to explore the power of the mind and how our stories shape who we are.

Stephen unpacks why the belief that “a leopard never changes its spots” is one of psychology’s biggest myths — and how, with awareness and the right tools, anyone can reframe their thinking and create lasting change.

From the science behind neuroplasticity to the role of perception in shaping our reality, Stephen shares practical insights that business owners, agents, and high performers can apply immediately. Expect real-life examples, thought-provoking analogies (including rollercoasters and Father Christmas!), and a reminder that the stories we tell ourselves aren’t fixed — they can be rewritten.

This is part one of three, so make sure you’re subscribed to catch the full series as we go deeper into mastering performance and mindset.

Engage With Us
Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes? Send us your thoughts and stay engaged with the Elite Agent Masterclass for more expert insights on transforming your career.

Connect with James on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with Jack on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with TEAM on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Send us a text

"How do I sell without sounding salesy?"

That’s the question Matt Selby has spent years helping business owners answer — and in this episode of The Elite Agent Masterclass, he joins James Humphries-Stone and Jack Durkin for a powerful conversation on selling ethically, effectively, and with emotional intelligence.

If you’ve ever struggled with fee objections, felt awkward about ‘closing’, or wished you could convert more clients without the cringe — this episode will give you practical tools and powerful reframes.

Matt shares his frameworks for coaching-led sales, deep listening, early fee positioning, handling objections through collaboration (not convincing), and building stronger businesses through emotional detachment and authenticity.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

— Why agents fear sales (and how to shift your mindset)
 — How to reframe objections as opportunities
 — How to introduce fees early without feeling pushy
 — How emotional detachment = better outcomes
 — Why curiosity > charisma in great conversations
 — The difference between pushy selling and ethical influence
 — How to win more referrals through self-awareness
 — What the best agents do differently (and why you can too)

Whether you're self-employed or working within a traditional model, this conversation will help you build confidence, reduce anxiety around selling, and close more deals — the right way.

Matt shares stories from the field, lessons from Expert Empires, and decades of coaching experience — all focused on helping you become more effective and more human in your sales process.

If you want to remove the pressure, the pushiness, and the fear from your sales process — this is a must-listen.

Engage With Us
Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes? Send us your thoughts and stay engaged with the Elite Agent Masterclass for more expert insights on transforming your career.

Connect with James on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with Jack on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with TEAM on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Send us a text

📅 Event Info:
Thursday 4th September
Calderfields Golf Club, Walsall (Just outside Sutton Coldfield)
Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-generate-more-leads-make-more-sales-build-consistent-cashflow-tickets-1498704849549?aff=oddtdtcreator

🎯 How do you generate more leads?
🎯 How do you convert them into secure, successful sales?
🎯 And how do you create consistent cashflow from your pipeline?

In this special episode of The Elite Agent Masterclass, James Humphries-Stone and Jack Durkin sit down to introduce the TEAM Agent Day happening on Thursday 4th September at Calderfields Golf Club.

This isn’t a typical training day. It’s an in-person event built by agents, for agents — with one goal in mind: real-world, actionable strategy.

Across one powerful day, you’ll learn how agents from multiple models and regions are winning instructions, closing sales faster, and building stronger businesses — step by step.

🎯 What's Covered on the Day (and in this Episode):

 — Lead Generation that actually works: letter campaigns, social media, door knocking, networking, and more
 — Marketing & Media Mastery: how premium content attracts more viewings & higher offers
 — Closing Sales in a Tougher Market: step-by-step negotiation and deal packaging strategies
 — Consistent Cashflow: how agents are building a lettings book alongside sales income
 — Collaboration: how to network with agents across the UK and unlock referrals
 — Community: the true power of stepping into a room of like-minded agents who want to share, grow, and win together

This day is for you if you're:
 🧠 Employed and want to level up
 🚀 Self-employed and want to scale
 📈 Ambitious and want better results
 🌍 Keen to meet agents from across the UK who think differently

It’s

Engage With Us
Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes? Send us your thoughts and stay engaged with the Elite Agent Masterclass for more expert insights on transforming your career.

Connect with James on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with Jack on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with TEAM on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Send us a text

In this episode of The Elite Agent Masterclass, James Humphries-Stone and Jack Durkin sit down with Sam, the founder of PropServ — the platform that’s changing how estate agents handle property maintenance, client care and cashflow.

What started as an idea inside an agency is now a fully built PropTech solution that’s solving a huge pain point for lettings agents: repairs and maintenance.

Sam shares the behind-the-scenes journey of building PropServ from scratch — and how they’ve combined automation, AI and financial forecasting to make property management easier, more efficient and more profitable.

Inside this episode:

🛠️ The origin story of PropServ — from frustration to solution
📉 How maintenance is hurting client retention & reputation
🤖 The systems behind PropServ’s AI-driven maintenance automation
💸 How agents are generating passive income from the platform
🔁 Why agencies need to think beyond sales and diversify
💡 Lessons on launching a tech platform while running a business
⚙️ How PropServ integrates into the agent and landlord experience
🚀 The future of PropTech — and what agents need to watch for

If you’re running a lettings book, looking for smarter systems, or thinking of launching your own tech-enabled product — this episode is full of real-world lessons on execution, automation and growth.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube
👇 Follow The Elite Agent Masterclass Podcast:

Spotify 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/4WOvGUrqYPRKoLMMpxik7l?si=30f3ede8da6548eb

Apple Podcasts 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-elite-agent-masterclass/id1744563786

YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@theeliteagentmasterclass

Engage With Us
Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes? Send us your thoughts and stay engaged with the Elite Agent Masterclass for more expert insights on transforming your career.

Connect with James on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with Jack on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with TEAM on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Send us a text

In this episode of Elite Agent Masterclass, we welcome Sam Cable, Lettings Director at The Avenue Estate Agents, for a deep dive into the current (and future) state of the UK lettings market.

With years of experience across corporate, independent, and self-employed brokerages, Sam brings sharp insight into where the industry is heading — and how agents and landlords alike can stay ahead.

Inside the episode:

• Why the lettings model is overdue a major shakeup
• The legislation changes every agent needs to be preparing for
• How The Avenue plans to do lettings differently — with culture, clarity, and service at the core
• What landlords want (and deserve) from their agents in 2025 and beyond
• How Sam’s career journey has shaped his vision for better lettings

💬 “The biggest risk is standing still — because this industry is about to change whether you're ready or not.”

Whether you're a lettings agent, a landlord, or someone exploring this side of the business, this episode is packed with timely insights and fresh thinking.

Engage With Us
Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes? Send us your thoughts and stay engaged with the Elite Agent Masterclass for more expert insights on transforming your career.

Connect with James on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with Jack on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with TEAM on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Send us a text

In this episode of Elite Agent Masterclass, Jack Durkin and Holly Boylan are joined by Ian Macbeth, co-founder of Avocado Property, The Momentum Group, and The Survey Network.

Known for his bold approach to branding and disrupting the traditional estate agency model, Ian shares how Avocado carved out its identity in a crowded market — and what other agents can learn from it.

Inside the episode:

• Why clarity of brand message matters more than flashy marketing
• The “Power of Three” principle Ian uses to simplify success
• How to create standout social content that builds community (not just reach)
• The process behind Avocado’s recent trademark — and what it represents
• The role of AI in estate agency today, and where it’s heading
• Why self-employed agents should think like business owners, not just agents

💬 “Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room — and that starts with how you show up every single day.”

If you’re serious about building a high-impact personal brand, creating long-term leverage, and navigating the shift to a more modern model of estate agency, this episode is essential listening.

Engage With Us
Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes? Send us your thoughts and stay engaged with the Elite Agent Masterclass for more expert insights on transforming your career.

Connect with James on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with Jack on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with TEAM on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Send us a text

In this episode, Jack Durkin and Holly Boylan sit down with Rob Brady — TEDx speaker, coach, and Head of Strategy at Iceberg Digital — to talk about what it really takes to build a future-ready estate agency.

Rob shares his journey from being a disruptive sales director in corporate agency life to coaching some of the UK's most progressive independents. If you’ve ever felt stuck using outdated strategies or want to stop chasing volume and start building a business that runs on value, this one’s for you.

Inside the episode:

• Why most estate agents are trapped in old-school tactics — and how to break free
• How to stop competing on fee and start leading with impact
• What the UK’s best independent agents have in common (that corporates don’t)
• Why automating doesn’t mean becoming robotic — and how tech can enhance client experience
• How culture and internal language shape your brand perception
• Why brand meaning trumps brand aesthetics every time
• Coaching insights from thousands of hours with top-performing agents

Whether you're an agent trying to scale or a business owner looking to step back, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, leadership, and your future in the industry.

Connect with Holly on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Connect with Rob Brady on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Engage With Us
Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes? Send us your thoughts and stay engaged with the Elite Agent Masterclass for more expert insights on transforming your career.

Connect with James on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with Jack on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Connect with TEAM on Socials:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn