The Moment I Realised a Bigger Business Wasn’t Better - and How to Pivot to What You Really Want with Patrick Mears - The Property Management Podcast with That Property Mum

Patrick Mears shares a refreshingly honest perspective on what success in property management can actually look like – and it’s not always tied to bigger portfolios, larger teams or chasing endless growth. After years of building his business, Patrick reached a turning point where he realised that more management didn’t automatically equal more freedom, profit or happiness. Instead, he made the conscious decision to build a business that supports the life he wants, not one that consumes it. His approach is a powerful reminder that sustainable growth starts with clarity around your values, your goals and the lifestyle you’re trying to create.

This conversation also unpacks the hidden cost of discounting in property management and why so many business owners unknowingly sacrifice profit, team sustainability and service quality in the pursuit of growth. Pat shares his philosophy around attracting quality clients through reputation, consistency and word of mouth rather than competing on price. There’s so much value here for business owners feeling pressure to constantly grow, especially in an industry where vanity metrics can easily distract from what’s actually creating a healthy, profitable business behind the scenes.

What stood out most for me was his perspective on freedom – not in the flashy sense, but in the everyday moments that matter. Being able to pick his boys up from daycare, attend swimming lessons, step away from difficult clients and create boundaries around how he works has become his definition of success. It’s such an important conversation for anyone in property management who feels stretched too thin, overwhelmed by expectations or caught in the trap of believing bigger always means better.

“I'm my own competition, so if I want to grow by ten this month, then I have to do that work and not have to go out and steal from other people or beat everyone. Just compete against yourself and work out what you need, what you want, as opposed to what other people are sprouting on social media or whatever, how many they've signed and that sort of thing.”

- Patrick Mears

We cover:

Growth in the property management industry and its misconceptions
The relationship between business size and success
Personal experiences and journey of a property management business owner
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business perspectives
Importance of work-life balance and aligning business goals with personal values
Strategies for maintaining profitability without discounting services
The significance of quality client relationships over quantity
Efficient business management practices and the use of technology
The value of networking and collaboration within the industry
Advice for property managers on managing growth pressures and focusing on personal goals

A big shout-out to our amazing podcast partner Ailo.

Ailo is an Australian property management software and app designed to streamline communication and payments between property managers, owners, and tenants. It offers in-app chat, real-time rent tracking, and maintenance management, aiming to modernise property management and improve transparency for all parties.

Book an Ailo Demo and get your Mecca Gift Card:

http://ailo.io/tpm

Follow Ailo:

https://www.instagram.com/ailohq/

Kylie’s Resources:

Property Management Growth School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/TPM-BDMSchool

Digital Marketing School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/digitalschool

That Property Mum Courses: https://www.thatpropertymum.com.au/courses/

The PM Accelerate Membership: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/accelerate

Book a Strategy Call with Kylie: https://calendly.com/kylie-tpm/coaching-call

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