Natalie Klausen is the founder of Let’s Abode, a multiple award winning property company built on integrity, ethical leadership, and a willingness to step outside of her comfort zone. Known for her bold and values driven approach, Natalie has grown Let’s Abode into a respected name within the property sector, earning industry recognition for both commercial success and responsible practice.
A confident leader and regular speaker, Natalie is frequently invited to sit on panels where she shares her insights on leadership, property, and building sustainable, ethical businesses. Beyond her professional achievements, she is deeply committed to giving back and creating positive social impact, using success as a force for change.
Winning the Property Pro category at the Biz Women Awards 2025 marked a significant milestone in Natalie Klausen’s journey as a founder and leader within the property sector. In the interview below, she shares reflections on her journey, values, challenges and future ambitions.
What does winning this award represent for you at this moment in your journey
Winning the BizWomen Property Pro award at this moment in my journey feels incredibly meaningful. To receive this recognition in the same week as winning the Great British Entrepreneur Award for Service Industry in the North West, and in the same year as being named Winner of Worldwide Business Service Excellence (Property Management Category) at the Global Leaders and Business Awards, feels like a powerful affirmation of the path we are on. Together, these achievements mark a significant milestone and reflect the consistency, dedication, and values that underpin everything we do.
These awards collectively represent the reputation we have built within the property industry, one grounded in trust, integrity, resilience, and consistently high standards. The BizWomen Property Pro award, in particular, recognises not only growth and success, but the challenges overcome and the commitment to doing things the right way. For me, it reinforces that purpose led leadership and service excellence are noticed, and that the impact we are making as a business is being felt across the industry.
What key experiences or decisions shaped the path that brought you to this point
Several key experiences and decisions have shaped the path that brought me to this point, each requiring courage, trust in my instincts, and a willingness to grow. One of the most defining moments was leaving a secure role as Lettings and Marketing Manager at Places for People, a national housing group managing over 245,000 properties. It was a role where I was thriving and recognised as a Star Awards winner, but I knew I wanted to build something of my own and lead with my own values. Just days after leaving, securing local authority contracts became a pivotal validation of that decision, followed by successful work with pension funds and wealth management companies, which further strengthened the business’s credibility and positioned it within a highly professional and regulated space.
Equally important has been surrounding myself with the right people, mentors, collaborators, and advisors who challenge and support me, while remaining unafraid to pivot or change direction when needed. I have been intentional about continual professional development, keeping my qualifications up to date, while also recognising the importance of giving back. Working with students from Lancashire University, Lancaster University, and WYK Digital, as well as supporting startup business owners seeking guidance, has been incredibly rewarding. These experiences keep me grounded, connected to emerging talent, and aligned with my belief that success is most meaningful when it is shared, shaping not only the business but the leader I am today.
What challenge has pushed you to grow the most and what did you learn from that experience
The challenge that pushed me to grow the most was launching the business and then entering COVID just ten weeks later. Starting out in such an uncertain period tested me personally, professionally, and financially. As a single homeowner solely responsible for my mortgage, the pressure was constant, with no safety net and no option to pause. Alongside this, I faced situations where I was ripped off by people I had completed work for, which was both financially damaging and emotionally draining. I was also subjected to a vicious and slanderous attack by a rogue individual. Although I ultimately won, the process was mentally exhausting and required a level of resilience I had never needed before.
These experiences taught me some of the most important lessons of my journey. I learned to never give up and to never be afraid to stand my ground, even when facing individuals or organisations larger or more established than myself. I also learned the importance of adaptability, being willing to pivot, change direction, and respond to forces outside of my control, such as regulatory changes, rental reform, or shifts in government. Most importantly, these challenges shaped my confidence as a leader, reinforcing that resilience, integrity, and the courage to do what is right are just as vital to long term success as strategy or growth.
What milestone or breakthrough moment helped shape the direction of your career or business
Throughout my career in housing, I was consistently a top achiever within the organisations I worked for, including Your Housing Group and Places for People. This track record led to a defining shift while I was still at Places for People, when landlords, investors, and building company owners began approaching me directly to work with them independently. That external demand highlighted both a clear gap in the market and a strong level of trust in my expertise, which ultimately led me to establish Let’s Abode. Within weeks of launching, opportunities came flooding in, confirming the decision was the right one, although the unexpected impact of COVID soon after forced the business into a challenging holding pattern that tested resilience and strengthened our foundations.
As we emerged from COVID, Let’s Abode began to gain external recognition, becoming finalists for several awards. A pivotal moment came in November 2023 when I won the BizWomen Resilience Award, which validated the journey, the setbacks overcome, and the perseverance required to keep moving forward. From there, momentum accelerated rapidly. Throughout 2024 we were regularly contacted about nominations and wins across multiple award categories. This period of recognition helped shape the direction of the business, firmly positioning Let’s Abode as a respected, resilient, and award winning service provider, and reaffirming that the most challenging moments often lead to the most defining breakthroughs.
How do you aim to create meaningful impact within your industry or community
Within the industry, we work closely with organisations such as Holywell Care Group, providing high quality accommodation for their staff. This support for key workers plays an important role in helping organisations attract and retain talent, ensuring their teams have access to safe, reliable, and well managed places to live. By building strong partnerships with reputable organisations, we aim to create positive, long term impact that benefits both employers and the people they employ.
Giving back sits at the heart of what we do. We actively collaborate with universities and education partners, including WYK Digital, to offer students real workplace experience, and I regularly speak to students in schools about career choices, helping them see the wide range of opportunities available to them. On a community level, we are committed to supporting those most in need, having registered for the Big Sleepout 2026 for the Foxton Centre in Preston, and previously taking part in the Big Sleepout for NightSafe, which supports homeless young people. These experiences reinforce the importance of using our platform to raise awareness, as well as vital funds, for homelessness charities.
What values guide the way you work and lead, and how have they influenced your success
The values that guide the way I work and lead are integrity, ethical conduct, and a strong commitment to partnering with respectable organisations. I believe in doing the right thing even when it is not the easiest option, being transparent in decision making, and holding myself accountable for outcomes. This approach builds trust with colleagues, partners, and clients, and ensures that every decision aligns with both legal and moral standards. Working with organisations that share these principles has been essential, as it creates alignment, reduces risk, and allows for long term, values based growth rather than short term gains.
These values have directly influenced my success at Let’s Abode by helping to establish a strong and credible reputation in the market. By consistently acting with integrity and maintaining high ethical standards, I have been able to foster trust, attract quality partners, and build lasting relationships. This reputation has supported sustainable growth, strengthened stakeholder confidence, and positioned Let’s Abode as a reliable and respected organisation. Ultimately, leading with these values has enabled better collaboration, clearer decision making, and outcomes that reflect both commercial success and responsible leadership.
What do you believe has contributed most to your success in this award category
I believe a major contributor to my success in winning the Property award category at the BizWomen Awards has been my ability to navigate challenges with resilience and adaptability. Throughout my journey, I have had to pivot, make changes, and evolve my approach as circumstances shifted. Importantly, I have not been afraid to say no to contacts or opportunities that did not align with my ethical values. Staying true to those principles ensured that every partnership and project reflected integrity and long term thinking, even when turning away opportunities felt difficult in the moment.
Another key factor has been my commitment to continuous learning and relationship building. I have invested in my professional development by completing the ILM Level 5, Senior Housing Property Management Level 4, and the Digital Accelerator, and by beginning my Property Sales qualification with Knights Training Academy. Alongside this, attending networking events and awards has allowed me to meet like minded professionals and property investors. These connections have grown into strong working relationships, leading to multiple successful projects together. This combination of education, networking, and values led decision making has played a significant role in my achievement.
What insight or advice would you offer to women who want to grow, lead, and make their mark
My advice to women who want to grow, lead, and make their mark is to be intentional about the people you surround yourself with. Seek out those who support your ambitions, challenge you positively, and share your values. Don’t be shy about putting yourself forward, speaking up, or taking up space. You deserve to be at the table. Operate with integrity in everything you do, because trust and credibility are built over time and can define your leadership. When things don’t go as planned, view them as lessons rather than failures, using those experiences to grow stronger and more confident.
It is also important to always do the right thing, even when it is uncomfortable, and to prioritise understanding yourself as a leader. For many women, this includes being informed about perimenopause and how it can impact energy levels, confidence, focus, and wellbeing. Recognising these changes allows you to adapt, seek support when needed, and lead with self awareness rather than self criticism. Taking care of your health, alongside your professional growth, enables sustainable success and long term impact.
What future goals or ambitions are you excited to pursue after receiving this award
Winning the Property Pro award has opened the door to several exciting goals that I am eager to pursue, particularly moving further into the property sales market. A key ambition is securing the contract for the 200 plus luxury apartments in Manchester City Centre that we have already approached, as this would represent a significant milestone for both growth and visibility. I am also motivated to continue pushing boundaries by being nominated for further awards in 2026 and by contributing my experience and voice on a panel for International Women’s Day, sharing insights on leadership, ethics, and success in the property sector.
Alongside these ambitions, the award has strengthened our credibility and created new opportunities with investors who recognise us as an ethical, trustworthy company that operates with integrity. This increased visibility is already opening conversations with like minded investors who value transparency and responsible practice. Building these relationships will allow us to take on larger, more impactful projects while staying true to our values, ensuring that growth is both sustainable and principled.
