My Estate Agency Nearly Collapsed in 2008: Here’s What I Did

AD | This season of Golden Nuggets: Movers & Shakers is supported by Rightmove What happens when one of the toughest periods of your career becomes the catalyst for what comes next? When the property market crashed in 2008, the business Steve Pymm had spent years building suddenly faced a very different reality. In this episode of Golden Nuggets: Movers & Shakers, Steve tells Silvia Eldawi how that difficult period forced Pymm & Co to adapt — leading to the creation of its lettings business, new opportunities for growth and a business model that continued to evolve with the market. From selling suits in Norwich to building his own estate agency, navigating the crash and later making difficult decisions about his branch network, this is a conversation about resilience, reinvention and knowing when to change. 🎙️ WHAT WE COVER • How Steve found his way into estate agency • Starting Pymm & Co in 2005 • What the 2008 property crash meant for the business • Why the downturn led to a lettings department • The rise of the “accidental landlord” • The employee who told Steve: “I believe in you” • Why the traditional branch model had to change • Steve's “triangle of trust” and five Ps 👀 WHO IS THIS FOR? Estate agents, agency owners, property professionals and business leaders navigating changing markets, difficult decisions and knowing when to adapt. 💡 GOLDEN NUGGETS Punctuality. Performance. Persistence. Personality. Positivity. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Things always change 00:37 Rightmove supports this season 01:10 The year that nearly broke Steve 02:00 From selling suits to estate agency 03:30 Building Pymm & Co 03:50 The 2008 property crash 05:00 The lettings business is born 05:35 Who were the “accidental landlords”? 06:35 “I believe in you” 07:45 The making of the business 08:25 Turning crisis into opportunity 09:00 Why the branch model had to change 10:05 You can't let your heart rule your head 11:00 The triangle of trust 12:20 Steve's five Ps 13:30 Golden Nugget and close 🤝 MORE FROM RIGHTMOVE Unlock more opportunities with Rightmove: https://hub.rightmove.co.uk/maximising-your-opportunity Discover more ways Rightmove are championing agents: https://hub.rightmove.co.uk/share-your-expertise/ 👤 ABOUT STEVE PYMM Steve Pymm is Managing Director of Pymm & Co in Norwich and has spent more than three decades in estate agency. 🔗 FOLLOW SILVIA ELDAWI Website: https://propologi.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silviaeldawi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silviaeldawi/ ▶️ WATCH NEXT Watch the complete Golden Nuggets: Movers & Shakers series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfgAOYYBteUk 💬 VIEWS & OPINIONS The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Rightmove. This content is provided for general information and discussion purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional, legal, financial or property advice.