Ep 154 - Why Empires Fail and Lifestyles Thrive with Susannah Cole
Release Date: 02/06/2025
Ep 183 - Work a Little, Live a Lot - Reinventing Retirement with Chris and Susan Beesley
A Wealthy Life
In this episode, I am joined by Chris and Susan Beasley, former accountants and management consultants to share how they have completely redefined the idea of retirement. Rather than treating retirement as a time to slow down, Chris and Susan have created a hybrid lifestyle that blends fulfilling work, plenty of travel, and personal choice. Throughout their conversation they offer personal stories, practical steps, and fresh perspectives for anyone who feels that the traditional approach to retirement just doesn’t fit anymore. Listeners will hear why retirement in the...
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Ep 182 - Do you need permission to reinvent your life - with Jessica McGregor Johnson
A Wealthy Life
Retirement doesn't have to be a period of uncertainty or loss. Imagine discovering a newfound freedom and an exciting array of possibilities as you step away from your career-driven identity. This episode I am joined by the insightful Jessica McGregor-Johnson as we promise to transform your understanding of this life transition. Together, we explore the emotional shifts and opportunities for reinvention and fulfilment that come with retirement. Jessica brings her wealth of experience from guiding transformative retreats to the conversation, addressing the importance of...
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Ep 181 - Fun Doesn’t End At Retirement - I Ask If Not Now, When with Anne Taylor
A Wealthy Life
What if retirement wasn’t about slowing down, but instead, a new beginning filled with joy and independence. In this episode, Anne Taylor – co-author of Retire Inspire 2 and an experienced leadership coach – shares her personal journey through the loss of her parents, and how it shaped her thinking on both the financial and emotional sides of preparing for retirement. We challenge outdated views and consider the empowering idea that it is never too late – or too early – to prepare for a secure and purposeful future. Anne’s “60 for 60” challenge offers...
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Ep 180 - Be curious and ask questions - Top tips for the life you want to lead - with Andrew Priestley
A Wealthy Life
What if retirement isn’t the end- but just the beginning of something better? In this rich and honest conversation, psychologist and award-winning coach Andrew Priestley challenges the conventional script around retirement. Far from a full stop, retirement can be a vibrant new chapter - one you get to design, not one you're handed. Drawing on insights from Retire Inspire 2, a collection of powerful personal stories and practical reflections, Andrew and Vicki dive deep into the emotional and financial realities many of us face. Whether you're in your 20s or 60s,...
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Ep 179 - The Perils of Political Pandering in the Property Sector - Russell Quirk Part 2
A Wealthy Life
This week, Vicki continues her frank and insightful conversation with Russell Quirk, political commentator and property expert. After the buzz around Part 1, Russell returns to dig even deeper into why Britain’s housing crisis shows no signs of being fixed – no matter which party is in charge. The discussion explores how short-term political thinking is fundamentally at odds with long-term housing solutions, and why governments consistently fail to follow through on their promises. Russell explains how big housebuilders operate within a system that actively disincentivises...
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Ep 178 - Let's Be Honest Boring Is Best
A Wealthy Life
The Honest Property Sisters, Ruth and Becky, return for their second episode, continuing their inspiring story of building a property business from the ground up. If their journey is new to you, episode 175 shares how it all began – it’s well worth a listen before diving into this next chapter. Starting out in 2012 with limited resources and the expectation of rejection, Ruth and Becky focused on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Bristol, creating a successful portfolio through determination and smart strategy. They reflect on the early challenges, surprising...
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Ep 177 – What’s Wrong With Education (And What You Really Need to Learn)
A Wealthy Life
Most of us spent years in school, yet left without any real understanding of how to manage money, build wealth, or even define what success truly means for ourselves. This episode explores the crucial lessons that were missing from the education system and reveals what really needs to be learned in order to create a wealthy and fulfilled life. After more than a decade teaching at university and helping students transition into careers and businesses, it became clear that education shapes – and often limits – the way we think about money and success. In this...
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Ep 176 - What matters to you most - and what are you prepared to do about it?
A Wealthy Life
What truly defines a wealthy life, and are you prioritising what genuinely matters in yours? This episode explores what it genuinely means to live a wealthy life -one that extends far beyond financial success. Modern routines often demand more than they give, leaving little room for reflection on what truly matters. We explore how daily choices reflect our core values and how frequently, our demanding work schedules overshadow our personal happiness. The tension between societal pressures and personal priorities takes centre stage. Common assumptions about...
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Ep 175 - The Honest Property Conversation – Why do you want to invest?
A Wealthy Life
What happens when your entire family income disappears overnight? For Becky and Ruth, it was less of a setback and more of a wake-up call. At just 19, the sisters found themselves questioning everything they’d been told about careers, money, and success. What followed was an unexpected journey into property investing – while juggling university lectures, part-time jobs, and a lot of raised eyebrows. This episode unpacks how a single book – Rich Dad Poor Dad – lit a fire under their ambitions, why they chose property over the corporate ladder, and how...
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Ep 174 - The Wealthy Woman’s Roadmap: What to Prioritise in Your 40s, 50s & Beyond
A Wealthy Life
This episode of A Wealthy Life offers practical, thoughtful insight into why midlife can be the perfect moment to reshape your relationship with money. With life experience and a more stable income, women in their 40s and 50s are in a stronger position than they may realise. Five essential priorities are explored, starting with a clear understanding of income, outgoings, assets, and liabilities. These form the foundation of any financial plan. Alongside financial structure comes a call to value personal needs - not just those of family or partners. The discussion...
info_outlineHave you ever wondered if building a property empire is right for you, or if a lifestyle business better aligns with your goals?
Join us for another insightful episode as I sit down again with returning guest Susannah Cole, a leading force in the property industry, who has sourced deals worth £45 million since 2009.
Together, we discuss the intricacies of choosing between an empire and a lifestyle business. Susannah shares her experiences, offering invaluable advice on aligning business ambitions with personal aspirations and avoiding the potential pitfalls of over-trading and unsustainable growth.
Our conversation shines a light on the distinct paths in the property sector, from maintaining small-scale operations with minimal staff to managing large organisations with extensive teams. We address the challenges women face in a predominantly male industry, enriching the discussion with personal insights.
Throughout the episode, the significance of reflective practices and continuous learning is highlighted, illustrating how these strategies can enhance decision-making and lead to success in property investing. From sharing cautionary tales to discussing the risks of rapid scaling, we provide a comprehensive guide for those looking to navigate the property business landscape effectively.
In addition to business strategies, we explore the importance of balancing personal life with professional goals, drawing from experiences of transitioning from corporate environments to property investment.
As we wrap up, we delve into the complexities of empire building, underscoring the value of strong teams and systems, and the importance of understanding one's motivations in investing.
Whether you're attracted to a fast-paced or relaxed lifestyle, this episode is packed with insights to help your path in the property industry.
--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------
(0:00:11) - Building a Property Empire vs. Lifestyle
(0:04:23) - Navigating Property Business Growth Successfully
(0:15:38) - Lessons of Reflection in Property Investing
(0:19:52) - Beginning a Property Portfolio Journey
(0:28:18) - Scaling Property Business
(0:35:10) - Property Investing and Lifestyle Balance
(0:42:17) - Transitioning From Lifestyle to Empire Builder
(0:53:21) - Managing Tech and Business Systems
(1:03:32) - Balancing Business and Personal Life
To find out more about Susannah Cole and her company, The Good Property Company.
Website: https://thegoodpropertycompany.co.uk/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGoodPropertyCompanySusannahCole
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/susannahcoleuk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusannahColeTGPC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannahcole/
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Has this podcast started you thinking about what A Wealthy Life might look and feel like for you?
Why not spend another 3 minutes and take my online audit called Readiness to Retire Wealthy based on the five principles discussed in The Wealthy Retirement Plan book and episodes of this podcast?
https://scorecard.vickiwusche.com/
The assessment provides you with a personal score and report to help you take back control of your financial future – something business owners and employees both forget – but for different reasons.
Browse Books by Vicki:
Using Other People’s Money: How to invest in property 4th edition
Make More Money from Property: From investor thinking to a business mindset 2nd Edition
Property for the Next Generation: Securing your future in uncertain times 2nd Edition
The New Estate: Insights from the 22nd century
The Wealthy Retirement Plan: A revolutionary guide to living the rest of your in style
Or read the following Ebooks on VickiWusche.com:
9 Critical Property Principles
The De-Job Yourself Manual: Break your reliance on a monthly wage
The Values Manual: Understand what your values are and how they can be key to a successful business
The Goal Setting Manual: Create meaningful and practical goals then achieve them