ACQUISITION SERVICES SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
The Boom Podcast is all about real stories from real agency owners. Honest conversations about growth, challenge, exit and what actually happens next.
In Episode 4, Lucy Noonan is joined by Rachel Ollington, co-founder of Vesta Sales & Lettings. Rachel shares the story of building a lettings-led business, selling earlier than expected, and navigating the emotional reality of life after exit.
This episode continues the Boom series, following Episodes 1, 2 and 3, all of which are available to watch on YouTube, and builds further on the realities of selling an estate or lettings business properly.
About Rachel Ollington and Vesta Sales & Lettings
Rachel has spent her entire career in estate agency. She entered the industry straight from school and went on to work across both independent and corporate environments, including senior leadership roles.
In 2020, Rachel co-founded Vesta Sales & Lettings alongside her business partner, Pippa. From the outset, the business was built with a strong lettings focus, supported by clear systems, robust processes and a structured approach to compliance.
Vesta grew quickly and efficiently, developing a high-quality managed portfolio that ultimately became the core driver of its value.
Building a Lettings-Led Estate Agency
One of the strongest themes in this episode is the importance of taking lettings seriously from day one.
Rachel explains that Vesta did not treat lettings as an add-on to sales. It was structured as a core business line, with dedicated processes, reconciled client accounts, documented workflows and accurate management information.
This approach meant the business always had clarity over:
- Managed commission
- Contracted income
- Portfolio breakdown
- Compliance position
- True profitability
As Lucy highlights in the conversation, buyers respond to clarity. When figures are clean and systems are used properly, buyer confidence increases significantly.
Rachel reflects that at the time, they did not build Vesta with a sale in mind. However, the discipline they applied from the beginning meant the business was effectively sale-ready long before they realised it.
Preparing a Business for Sale Earlier Than Expected
The decision to sell Vesta came sooner than Rachel anticipated.
Personal circumstances changed, and the question became whether to buy out her business partner or explore a sale. Rachel explains that it did not feel right to continue without Pippa, and that prompted the first conversation with Atomic.
From that point, the process moved quickly.
Rachel and Pippa had strong systems already in place, which allowed Atomic to value the business accurately and take it to market with confidence.
Multiple buyers came forward, several offers were received, and the final deal delivered full value upfront with no deferred consideration.
From initial conversations to completion, the transaction completed far faster than Rachel expected, largely because the business was already well prepared.
Inside the Sale Process
Rachel is open about how different selling a business feels compared to selling property.
Despite years of experience in the agency, the legal structure, purchase agreements, warranties and disclosures were unfamiliar territory. Having experienced advisors made a significant difference.
Lucy explains that this is where many agency owners underestimate the process. Selling a business is not the same as selling a house, and going direct can expose owners to unnecessary risk.
Rachel reflects that without the support of Atomic and experienced solicitors, the transaction would have felt overwhelming.
Instead, the process was broken into clear stages, with guidance at every step, allowing Rachel and Pippa to stay focused on running the business while the sale progressed.
The Emotional Reality of Life After Exit
One of the most powerful parts of this episode is Rachel’s honesty about what happened after completion.
While her business partner embraced a new lifestyle quickly, Rachel struggled. The sudden absence of the business created a sense of loss and a genuine identity shift.
She describes it as a period of mourning. After years of building, leading and firefighting, there was suddenly space. Too much space.
Lucy relates this experience to many sellers that Atomic works with.
Exit is not just a financial event. It is an emotional one, particularly for owners who have built businesses around their identity.
Rachel shares that stepping back did not mean she wanted to leave the industry. Estate agency is all she has ever known, and she realised she still wanted purpose within it.
Finding Direction After Selling
Over time, Rachel found clarity by staying close to what she knew best.
She now works as a consultant and coach within the industry, supporting business owners with lettings growth, systems, structure and leadership.
Her focus is not just on operational improvement, but on supporting owners through the human side of running an agency.
Rachel explains:
many agents are excellent at selling or letting property, but struggle with the realities of business ownership. Financial pressure, people management and decision fatigue can be overwhelming without support.
Her work now centres on helping agency owners build businesses that are sustainable, compliant and personally fulfilling.
Advice for Estate and Letting Agency Owners
Rachel’s advice to agency owners is simple but powerful.
Run your business as if you may sell one day, even if selling feels a long way off.
That means:
- Understanding your figures properly
- Knowing your true income and costs
- Documenting processes early
- Taking compliance seriously
- Building systems that scale
Rachel explains that this mindset does not just improve exit value. It also makes day-to-day life easier and creates stronger businesses overall.
As Lucy adds,
Many owners only get one opportunity to maximise value. Preparation is what protects that opportunity.
Final Thoughts
Boom Podcast Episode 4 offers an honest look at selling a lettings-led estate agency and what comes next.
Rachel’s story highlights that successful exits are rarely accidental. They are built on preparation, structure and support, even when owners do not realise they are preparing.
For agency owners thinking about growth, exit planning or simply building a better business, this episode delivers valuable, experience-led insight.
You can watch Boom Podcast Episode 4 on YouTube or listen on Spotify. Episodes 1, 2 and 3 are also available and explore further owner journeys.
If you would like to understand what your estate or lettings business could be worth, or how to prepare for a future exit, speak to Atomic Consultancy for confidential, expert advice.