In this special episode of The Leaders' Lounge, Marianne Rutz sits down with none other than Kevin Wilkinson - Founder of Ethical Maintenance and her husband! Together, they share an in-depth conversation about Kevin's inspiring journey from a successful corporate career to building a Community Interest Company (CIC) that's revolutionising property factoring in Scotland.

Kevin opens up about his decision to leave a well-established career and embrace entrepreneurship in a notoriously unloved industry. He shares insights into why property factoring in Scotland has been so problematic, and how Ethical Maintenance has risen to the challenge by putting homeowners first and creating a community-focused service model.

In this episode, Kevin and Marianne discuss:

• The history behind Ethical Maintenance and how it empowers homeowners to take control of their communal areas.
• Kevin's role as an advisor to the Scottish Government during the creation of the Property Factors Act 2011 and his input in shaping the industry's code of conduct.
• The challenges of serving an entire community versus individual homeowners, and how clear communication and transparency are key.
• The unique approach of Ethical Maintenance as a Community Interest Company and why that sets them apart from traditional property managers.

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Ethical Maintenance continues to disrupt the property factoring industry while staying true to its ethos of transparency, empowerment, and community engagement.

Resources Mentioned:

• Ethical Maintenance: ethicalmaintenance.org
• Connect with Kevin Wilkinson and Marianne Rutz on LinkedIn

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In this very special episode of the Leaders' Lounge, I'm taking you on a personal journey—a story of resilience, transformation, and leadership. I often get asked, "How did you move from the corporate world to leading a property maintenance company?" Today, I'm opening up about that journey, reflecting on pivotal moments that shaped my path.

💡 Highlights from this episode:

• Cancerversary reflections: How a cancer diagnosis changed my life's direction three days before my wedding.
• Phases of transformation: From "Who am I now?" to exceeding expectations and embracing new opportunities.
• Customer experience as my superpower: How my love for CX and leadership shaped my role at Ethical Maintenance.
• Empowering communities: How I've applied the lessons I've learned to elevate property maintenance and create better living environments for homeowners.

This episode is for anyone facing life's curveballs while trying to lead with purpose. It's about finding your path, empowering yourself, and empowering those around you.

In this episode, I'm joined by digital marketing guru and LinkedIn strategist Mike Roberts, the mastermind behind Making Digital Real. Mike's also the talented producer and editor of OUR podcast! 🎙️

We dive deep into the evolving digital landscape, LinkedIn strategies, and the importance of staying human in an increasingly digital world.

Mike shares how he's turned LinkedIn into a powerful platform for meaningful connections and real business growth—no spammy bots or fake news here! 💡

Tune in to hear:

• How Mike found his niche in LinkedIn strategy.
• Why staying real and human on digital platforms is key.
• The game-changing power of newsletters on LinkedIn.
• How to build authentic, lasting connections without the sales pitch.
• REHUMANISATION

This episode is packed with tips on making digital marketing real and effective, whether you're a CEO or just getting started on LinkedIn.

Plus, we share some behind-the-scenes insight into how Mike helps me run my own podcast and content strategy.