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What’s the secret to running a thriving business with your spouse without driving each other crazy?
For Allhomes co-founder and Managing Director of Blackshaw Real Estate Andrew Chamberlain, the answer lies in alignment, clear communication, and well-defined roles.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Steve Carroll chats with Andrew about how he balances running his business with wife Belinda and how they keep work from taking over their home life.
He also talks about how Allhomes became the only property portal to hold off REA in Canberra, why he prioritises company culture over high-performing agents, and his take on AI’s growing role in real estate and whether technology will ever replace the human touch.
Plus, he reveals the leadership lessons that have shaped Blackshaw Real Estate into one of the ACT’s top agencies across eight offices and with over 100 staff
“When you go into business with family, the stakes are high. Get it right from the start, set clear ground rules, and make sure everyone is accountable.” – Andrew Chamberlain
10 key takeaways from this episode:
- How to successfully run a business with your spouse
Timestamp: 3:45 - Creating a unified voice in family business leadership
Timestamp: 5:30 - Managing disagreements in a large real estate operation
Timestamp: 6:30 - The importance of setting clear ground rules in family businesses
Timestamp: 8:45 - Strategies for maintaining culture across multiple offices
Timestamp: 16:00 - The story behind All Homes’ success in the ACT
Timestamp: 12:30 - Building strong company values and leading by example
Timestamp: 17:45 - The role of AI in real estate’s future
Timestamp: 22:15 - Managing family succession in real estate
Timestamp: 9:00 - Creating a positive work culture through family values
Timestamp: 23:30
Links
Detailed Episode Guide
The Family Business Dynamic
Andrew Chamberlain shares his unique experience of running a successful real estate business with his wife Belinda for over 25 years. Their secret? Speaking with one voice and maintaining clear boundaries between work and home life.
Managing Multiple Offices
With eight offices across the ACT region, Blackshaw Real Estate maintains consistency through regular team gatherings, centralised systems, and a strong focus on company culture. The business brings teams together six times annually for awards, celebrations, and training.
The All Homes Success Story
As a co-founder of All Homes, Andrew provides insight into how the portal became the dominant real estate platform in the ACT, starting from a simple idea to share property sales data and growing into the region’s preferred property search platform.
The Future of Real Estate
Looking ahead, Andrew sees artificial intelligence playing a significant role in transforming the industry while maintaining the human element in crucial areas like auctions and relationship building.
Leading with Values
The cornerstone of Blackshaw’s success lies in its strong values and family-oriented culture. Andrew emphasises the importance of leading by example and maintaining high standards, even if it means parting ways with high performers who don’t align with company values.
Summary
Andrew Chamberlain’s leadership approach combines family values with business acumen, creating a successful model that has stood the test of time. His insights offer valuable lessons for real estate professionals looking to build sustainable, family-oriented businesses while adapting to technological changes.
10 FAQs for the Episode with Andrew Chamberlain
- Who is Andrew Chamberlain?
Andrew Chamberlain is the Managing Director of Blackshaw Real Estate, co-founder of Allhomes, and a highly experienced auctioneer with nearly four decades in the real estate industry. - What makes Blackshaw Real Estate stand out?
Blackshaw Real Estate is known for its strong company culture, premium service, and innovative approach to real estate across the ACT and NSW South Coast. - How did Allhomes become the leading real estate portal in Canberra?
Andrew shares how Allhomes started as a way to provide property sales data and evolved into a dominant real estate portal, successfully competing against realestate.com.au. - What is the secret to running a business with your spouse?
Andrew explains how he and his wife, Belinda, successfully navigate working together by maintaining clear roles, speaking with one voice, and setting strong boundaries between work and home life. - How does Andrew Chamberlain handle internal business conflicts?
He believes in quick resolution, fostering a strong culture to prevent disputes, and ensuring that disagreements don’t escalate by making clear decisions and moving forward. - What advice does Andrew have for people going into business with family?
He stresses the importance of setting clear ground rules, defining roles, ensuring accountability, and treating family members equally to maintain professionalism and harmony. - What role does AI play in the future of real estate?
Andrew discusses how AI is already assisting with tasks like lead follow-ups and property marketing but believes that human connection and problem-solving will remain critical in real estate. - Will AI replace auctioneers in the future?
Andrew doesn’t see AI replacing auctioneers anytime soon, as the skill and human element involved in calling auctions are difficult to replicate with technology. - What leadership decision did Andrew make that reinforced company culture?
He shares a tough decision to let go of a high-performing agent who didn’t align with the company’s values, proving that culture is more important than short-term success. - How can listeners apply Andrew Chamberlain’s leadership strategies to their own business?
Andrew advises business owners to focus on culture, clear communication, accountability, and staying open to technological advancements while maintaining a strong human connection.
