The Unapologetic Boss Lady

Scars, Strength & the Power of Speaking Out By Sarah E. Stephenson I've lost money. I've lost sleep. I've lost peace of mind. But I've gained something far more powerful — my voice . This post isn't just about scams, courtrooms, or corporations. It's about the emotional toll, the mental health battles, and the transformation that came from refusing to stay silent. It's about turning trauma into testimony. 💔 The Hidden Cost of Injustice After being defrauded by Martin Marcus, I didn't just lose £6,500 — I lost my sense of safety. I was left homeless, humiliated, and emotionally wrecked. The experience triggered anxiety, exhaustion, and suicidal thoughts. And yet, I kept going. Because I knew I wasn't the only one. 🏛️ The Residence Manchester Saga I invested in a property through EL Group and lost £138,167 . So far, I've recovered £29,000 , but the court battle continues. It's not just about the money — it's about accountability. It...

The Legalcy Clause – Leaving a Legacy Written in Truth "Some people leave behind wealth. I'm leaving behind wisdom." When I started this journey, I thought legacy was about assets—properties, portfolios, and passive income—about what I could build, own, and pass down. But after everything I've endured—every betrayal, every court case, every sleepless night—I've come to understand something deeper: Legacy isn't just what you leave behind. It's what you stand for while you're still here. And mine? Mine is a legal case. A legacy built not just on bricks and mortar, but on contracts challenged, rights reclaimed, and truths revealed. What Is a Legalcy? It's a word I coined during a legal battle, scribbled in the margins of a complaint letter. It's a fusion of "legal" and "legacy." It reminds me that the law isn't just a system—it's a sword. And when wielded with knowledge and courage, it can protect, empower, and transfor...

The Resilience Toolkit – How I Survived the Storm and Built My Own Shelter “Resilience isn’t about bouncing back. It’s about building forward—stronger, smarter, and unshakable.” When I reached my fifth property, I realised something profound: I wasn’t just surviving anymore. I was strategising. I was no longer reacting—I was responding. I had built a system, a mindset, and a method. I had created my own survival kit. This chapter is for anyone who’s ever felt like giving up. For the woman staring at a red bank statement. For the investor who just got ghosted by a developer. For the dreamer who’s been told, “You should’ve known better.” Let me show you what I wish someone had shown me. Tool #1: The Power of Documentation “If it’s not in writing, it doesn’t exist.” I learned this the hard way. Verbal promises mean nothing in court. So now, I document everything: Every email, every WhatsApp message, every call log. Screenshots of websites, brochures, and marketing materials. Contracts ...

What a Relief! Introduction The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has adopted a regulatory approach that prioritises  outcomes over processes , aiming to achieve a significant impact in data protection. Although it initially targeted the public sector, this philosophy suggests a broader trend that financial service providers, such as  NewDay Ltd, must  consider . What’s Changing? Traditionally, compliance has often been about ticking boxes: having policies, completing audits, and filing reports. The ICO’s new stance shifts the emphasis toward demonstrable improvements in consumer data protection , rather than mere procedural compliance. Key Principles of the ICO Approach Outcome-Based Compliance Organisations must show measurable results in safeguarding consumer data. For financial firms, this means embedding privacy by design and demonstrating reduced risk of harm to customers. Example: The ICO recently reprimanded several public authorities for failing to mee...

From Survivor to Signal – Advocacy as My Armour "I didn't just survive—I became the siren." There's a moment when pain becomes purpose. When the very thing that tried to break you becomes the reason you rise. For me, that moment came not in a courtroom or a boardroom—but in a blog post. After years of being silenced, dismissed, and gaslit by developers, brokers, and financial institutions, I realised something: my voice was my most powerful asset. And I was done whispering. The First Post It started with a single blog post. I remember staring at the blinking cursor, unsure if anyone would care. I wasn't a journalist or a lawyer. I was just a woman with a story—and a fire in her chest. I titled it: "The Lomax 505 Case: Behind the Scenes of the Real Property Buying Nightmares." I didn't hold back. I laid out the timeline, the broken promises, the legal breaches. I named names. I cited laws. I included screenshots, emails, and even my psychological impa...

Redemption in Real Time – The Rise After the Ruin “Redemption isn’t a destination. It’s a decision to rise, again and again, until your story no longer ends in pain.” There’s a moment in every survivor’s journey when the tide begins to turn—not because the world suddenly becomes fair, but because you’ve changed. You’ve grown teeth. You’ve grown wings. You’ve learned to fly through storms. That moment came not with a grand victory, but with a quiet realisation: I was no longer the same woman who had once signed contracts with trembling hands and hopeful eyes. I was no longer the investor who mistook silence for professionalism or delay for diligence. I was reborn in the fire of my failures. The Maple: A Symbol of Second Chances When I first heard about The Maple in Burleyfields, I hesitated. The numbers looked good. The area was promising. But I had been here before—enticed by spreadsheets and sales pitches, only to be left with broken promises and sleepless nights. But this time, I cam...

I Don't Back Down – How I Took On Credit Giants and Won By Sarah E. Stephenson When people hear "justice," they often think of courtrooms and lawyers. But justice can also happen over the phone, in emails, and through sheer persistence. After taking down a rogue letting agent who left me homeless, I didn't stop there. I went after corporations that tried to bury me under false accusations, defaults, and bureaucracy. And guess what? I won. This post is about how I challenged NewDay Ltd , BT Group , Vodafone , and Lowell Finance —and made them back down. 🧾 NewDay Ltd: The Credit Card Company That Got It Wrong NewDay accused me of fraud. They mishandled my account, failed to investigate properly, and tried to label me as a risk. But I wasn't having it. I fought with documentation, legal references, and a formal complaint that shook their foundation. Outcome? I was rewarded, not just financially but with the satisfaction of knowing I stood up for myself and won. 📞 ...

⚔️ Blog Post 3: From Victim to Vigilante – My Relentless Hunt for Justice By Sarah E. Stephenson Most people would’ve walked away. Most would’ve accepted the loss, swallowed the shame, and moved on. But I’m not most people. After being conned out of £6,500 and left homeless in the rain, I made a decision: I was going to take Martin Marcus down . This wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about every person he had deceived, every landlord he had lied to, and every tenant he had left stranded. I wasn’t just a victim—I became his worst nightmare. 🕵️‍♀️ Playing Detective I started digging. I traced his movements, tracked his aliases, and uncovered the web of fake companies he used to hide his crimes. He wasn’t just Martin Marcus. He was also: Jeffrey Lewis Martin Champ Robert Martin And his companies? All smoke and mirrors: JMG Residential Ltd Interlocate Churchill Residential Corporate Relocation Each one was a new mask, a new trap, a new way to exploit people. 💼 The Confrontati...

“The Power of No: Boundaries, Brokers & Breaking the Cycle” After rebuilding my blueprint in Chapter 5, I realised that empowerment isn’t just about what you say yes to—it’s about what you refuse to tolerate. Saying “no” became my new superpower. I had learned the hard way that not every opportunity is a blessing. Some are traps dressed in glossy brochures and sweet-talking brokers. I had to unlearn the idea that being agreeable was the same as being professional. It wasn’t. It was a liability. Drawing the Line In early 2025, I was in yet another whirlwind of property pitches. The names were familiar—some even notorious. I recognised the patterns: the urgency, the pressure, the promises. But this time, I wasn’t the same woman. I had my checklist, my legal pack, and my voice. I started asking the questions they didn’t expect: “Can I see the developer’s financials?” “Where’s the fire safety certificate?” “What’s your exit strategy if this falls through?” Some agents squirmed. Oth...

From Homeless to Hero – How I Turned Betrayal Into Power By Sarah E. Stephenson I was full of hope when I arrived in London in October 2012. I had just left Dublin, ready to start a new chapter in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. But within hours, that hope was shattered. I was conned out of £6,500 by a man named Martin Marcus—a rogue letting agent who preyed on vulnerable newcomers like me. I was homeless, standing in the rain with three suitcases and nowhere to go. My credit cards were maxed out. My phone battery was dying. And I had no one to call. That night, I cried harder than I ever had before. But I didn’t break. I transformed. 💔 The Psychological Toll Being defrauded isn’t just about losing money. It’s about losing trust. It’s about questioning your instincts, your decisions, and your worth. I sat in a hotel room, staring at the ceiling, wondering how someone could be so calculated and cruel. I felt humiliated, violated, and alone. But fear didn’t win. It lit a ...

Rebuilding with Purpose: A New Blueprint for Empowerment After breaking the silence in Chapter 4, I found clarity. The pain had been processed, the truth had been spoken, and the legal fight was underway. But now came the most critical part—rebuilding, not just my portfolio but also my confidence, strategy, and purpose. Starting Over with Intention I sat down with a blank notebook and asked myself: “If I could start again, what would I do differently?” The answer wasn't just about avoiding bad deals but building a system that protected me and empowered others. I began mapping out a new blueprint for property investing. One that was rooted in transparency, education, and community. I reviewed every past investment, agreement, and lesson. I created checklists, templates, and a new set of non-negotiables. I wasn't just rebuilding—I was evolving. Educating Myself Deeper I enrolled in property law webinars, read investor case studies, and studied regulatory frameworks. I wanted t...

How I Took Down a Rogue Letting Agent Who Left Me Homeless By Sarah E. Stephenson Let me take you back to October 2012, when I met a conman.  Martin Marcus was  a so-called letting agent who operated out of a sleek office in Aldgate, London. He looked the part: polished, persuasive, and professional. But behind the facade was a man who had been defrauding vulnerable tenants and landlords since 1999. I  had just arrived in London from Dublin. I knew nothing about the city, the tube system, or the rental market, and I was desperate to find a place to live. Marcus promised me a flat in Zone 1 — near King’s Cross and Holborn — and assured me it was his relative’s property. I paid  £6,536 upfront, which included  three months’ rent, a deposit, and admin fees. I trusted him. But when I arrived at the address with three giant suitcases, the woman who answered the door had no idea who I was. My heart dropped. I was alone, homeless, and humiliated. It was raining. My cre...

"Scandalism of a Conman" Post 1: "The Day I Met the Devil in a Suit" Intro: In October 2012, I walked into a letting agency in Aldgate, London, thinking I'd found the answer to my housing search. I didn't know that I was about to meet a man who would turn my life upside down. This is the beginning of my journey with Martin Marcus—a conman who preyed on the vulnerable and left a trail of destruction across the UK. Content Focus: First encounter with Martin Marcus. His manipulative tactics and fake promises. The £6,500 payment and false assurance of a flat. Arrival in London and the shocking discovery at Mabledon Place. Post 2: "Homeless in the Rain: The Night London Broke Me" Intro: Imagine arriving in a new city, excited to start fresh, only to find yourself stranded, soaked, and alone. That was me—three suitcases, no shelter, and no one to call. But in the darkest hour, a stranger appeared. This post captures the raw, emotional night I was ...

Breaking the Silence: Turning Pain into Purpose After launching my legal fight in Chapter 3, something shifted inside me. I had spent months feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and unheard. But as I began to speak out, share my story, and connect with others, I realised that my experience wasn’t unique—it was part of a much larger problem in the property investment world. 📣 Speaking Out Publicly I started small—a blog post here, a social media update there. I shared the facts, the timeline, and the emotional toll. I didn’t name names at first—I just told the truth. And the response was immediate. Messages poured in from other investors, many of whom had faced similar issues. Some had lost thousands, others had been silenced by legal threats, and a few had given up entirely. My inbox became a space of solidarity, pain, and empowerment. One message stood out: “Thank you for saying what we were too afraid to say. You gave us a voice.” That sentence changed everything. 🧠 Realising the Powe...