Most people think estate agency is glamour, fast commissions, and a quick sale.

Georgina Henfrey says that’s fantasy, and the real job is pressure, process, psychology, and dealing with 50 moving parts at once.

In this episode of The Growth Diary, Georgina, co-founder of Kestrel Estates, breaks down why she walked away from the corporate estate agency machine, and what she built instead. A people-first model where clients aren’t treated like numbers, and teams aren’t burned out chasing targets created by someone who’s never been on the front line.

She also shares what happened when the market froze during Covid, how she rebuilt without the marketing budget she planned for, and why the Liz Truss mini-budget forced a hard pivot into diversification.

We also get into the uncomfortable truth about property marketing. Why most agents are invisible, why social media is now the real shopfront, and how Kestrel’s approach consistently drives demand and achieves above-asking offers.

Finally, Georgina explains how she’s using AI where it actually makes sense, not replacing people, but removing the workload that slows everything down. From virtual staging to automating parts of lettings, qualification, and inventory checks, it’s a glimpse into what modern estate agency will look like over the next few years.

If you work in sales, property, or you’re building a service business, this episode is a masterclass in standards, resilience, and growth without selling your soul.

Podcast guest details

Guest: Georgina Henfrey

Company: Kestrel Estates

Website: www.kestrelestates.co.uk

In this episode of The Growth Diary, Keith Atkinson is joined by Marko Hozjan, co-founder and CEO of Lynxcraft, a construction technology company using AI to fundamentally change how homes are designed, planned, and built.

Marko shares how Lynxcraft was born from a simple but radical idea: modern homes should be treated like products, not one-off prototypes. Drawing parallels with industries like automotive and manufacturing, he explains why construction has struggled to modernise, and how a lack of standardisation has held back quality, speed, and scalability for decades.

The conversation dives deep into how Lynxcraft uses AI, machine learning, and algorithmic design to automate zoning analysis, floor plan generation, and cost modelling. Marko breaks down the real challenges behind applying AI to the physical world, from fragmented regulations and poor data access to workforce shortages and supply chain resistance.

Keith and Marko also explore the future of construction, including prefabrication, standardised building blocks, human-in-the-loop systems, and why true transformation must be driven by demand rather than suppliers. Marko shares lessons from fundraising, scaling a deep-tech startup across Europe, and preparing for expansion into the UK and US.

This episode is a fascinating look at how technology, automation, and product thinking could reshape one of the world’s oldest and least digitised industries.

Podcast guest details

Guest: Marko Hozjan

Company: LynxCraft

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://lynx-craft.com

In this episode of The Growth Diary, Keith Atkinson sits down with Amadeo Bassi, founder of ABDS, an architecture-led practice operating across design, coordination, planning, tendering, and development management.

Amadeo shares his journey from studying architecture to building an independent, multidisciplinary practice. He speaks candidly about the realities of coordinating complex projects, managing competing priorities between design, engineering, and cost, and the less-visible work that goes into running a sustainable business.

The conversation explores how ABDS brings alignment across multiple disciplines, why coordination and negotiation sit at the heart of successful delivery, and the challenges of scaling while maintaining quality. Amadeo also shares his perspective on AI, where it already adds value in research and administration, and why human judgement still matters in complex projects.

A key focus of the episode is Amadeo’s move into retrofitting and the net zero energy space. With long-term government funding, European-wide regulation, and growing demand for energy-efficient buildings, he explains why this sector represents both a responsibility and a major growth opportunity over the next two decades.

This episode offers an honest look at the difference between being a designer and building a resilient business in architecture, construction, and development.

Podcast guest details

Guest: Amadeo Bassi

Company: ABDS

Website: https://www.a-b-d-s.com

Email: [email protected]