How No.86 Estate Agency proves Lifesycle isn’t just for big firms.

When Katie Cromwell launched No.86 Estate Agency, she knew two things: she needed to generate new business, and she needed a way to manage it all without burning out. Like many startups, she was doing everything herself, marketing, admin, viewings, follow-ups and it was unsustainable.

“I was really busy, but a lot of that time was being taken up doing things that weren’t adding value to my business.”

She wasn’t ready to hire staff just yet. What she needed was a platform that could streamline her day-to-day tasks, while also helping her attract and convert leads more effectively.

Katie quickly realised that juggling disconnected tools was costing her time and momentum. There was no central hub for her data or marketing. Everything took longer than it should, and she didn’t want to guess her way into growth or rush into hiring.

“I wanted to work smarter, not harder and build the foundations ready for when I took on staff.”

That’s when Katie joined Iceberg Digital and took Lifesycle. What began as a search for a CRM quickly became a turning point for her business. Lifesycle gave her a centralised platform for her marketing, data, tasks and client journeys. More than that, it empowered her to automate lead nurturing, run targeted adverts, and build conversion funnels, all without needing a marketing team.

“I was taught not just the basics of the system but how to build funnels, journeys and adverts that helped my business grow behind the scenes.”

With Lifesycle working in the background and the AI helping her stay top of mind with prospects, Katie was able to increase her fixed fee from £895 to £1,500 + VAT almost immediately. Then, with support from Iceberg Digital’s team and strategic guidance through coaching sessions, she shifted to a percentage model at 1% + VAT a bold move for a startup agency.

“Mark and Rob helped me realise my worth... and when things got really busy, it was time to employ staff. That was a huge deal for me!”

One new hire turned into two. Then her husband joined the business. Growth wasn’t just steady, it was exponential.

Fast forward and No.86 Estate Agency is unrecognisable from the startup Katie first launched. Her team has grown to six and counting, she now operates with a cutting-edge Neuron website, and they’re already scouting for a bigger office to accommodate the expansion. The culture she’s built is just as remarkable and they now take the entire team on an annual company trip to Ibiza.

“My business keeps getting bigger and bigger. We’re now charging 1.5% + VAT, we’re busier than ever, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Katie’s journey shows that Lifesycle isn’t just for established agencies with big teams, it’s for ambitious agents at any stage. In fact over 50% of Lifesycle clients first joined as small or start up businesses. With the right tools and mindset, a startup can become a standout success story.

Katie says: “It’s not just software, it’s the key to modernising estate agency and staying at the forefront of your client’s mind.”