Grandparents win through to final stages of X Factor style competition for property investors

Newlywed grandparents Charlie and Shirley McCullagh, from South Shields, are hoping to be millionaires by the end of 2019 after entering a competition organised by a property wealth education and training company.

They are among 40 contestants who entered the Millionaire Maker challenge at the start of the year and, after passing an audition, they’re now being mentored by judges before facing a public vote in December.

The aim of the contest, organised by Doncaster-based Touchstone Education, is to help as many contestants as possible to generate a turnover of £1million or more.

The first to reach the target will receive a VIP package worth £15,000 including an all-expenses paid trip to a Formula One race weekend with Touchstone.

Charlie and Shirley, who have four children and three grandchildren between them, met on the dance floor learning modern jive, three years ago. Since then they have been inseparable and were married last July.

The couple already have a sizable residential property portfolio and are now focussing on commercial and residential developments to reach their £1 million target this year.

Shirley, who works as a building manager in Newcastle, said: “Taking part in Millionaire Maker is pushing us faster and further than we thought possible, but we’re a resilient couple with a zest for life.

“We’re passionate about positive mindset and believe that you can do anything you set your mind to, so we’re sharing all our knowledge with family and friends. Frankly, they are all amazed that we have taken up this monumental challenge."

Charlie, who is originally from Canada and has lived in the UK since 1985, said: “We’ve been told real growth happens at the junction between chaos and order and, at the moment, we seem to be experiencing more chaos than order.  Nevertheless, our learning experience will ultimately help us create financial security and a legacy for our families."

In January competitors submitted business plans and each was asked to explain what they wanted from the process and what they hoped to achieve, other than to make money.

A final group of 25 was selected by judges, based on the quality of their submissions and on their determination to succeed.

They have been split into two teams, one mentored by Touchstone’s Chief Executive, Paul Smith and Managing Director Abi Hookway, and the other by Paul’s wife and business partner, Aniko, and the company’s Commercial Director Gordon Dutfield, with each battling to produce the first millionaire.

After visiting judges’ houses for an intensive training weekend, the contestants are now putting their business plans into practice with help and advice from mentors during weekly catch-up sessions. Each contestant is keeping a video diary to provide a record of their investment journey.  

Touchstone, which runs courses and seminars across the UK focused on investment in property, launched the competition as a way of bringing investors together to share their experiences and expertise.

Paul said: “We’re always looking for new ways to impart our knowledge and this X-Factor style competition helps to generate some energy and excitement around the process.

“By adding a competitive edge, there’s an added incentive for our investors, with help from our staff, to push themselves further to make their property portfolios worker harder for them.”

He added: “We’ve already seen some early wins for our investors and, even at this early stage, several are on course to reach the £1million mark by the end of the year.”

For more information or high-resolution photographs please email carlos@carlosalbamedia.co.uk or telephone 0141 637 6399 or 07880505647

Notes:

·         Touchstone, founded by Paul and Aniko Smith in 2004, promises ‘freedom through knowledge’ with a series of training courses, ranging from an online webinar to ongoing monthly learning as well as masterclasses and other learning materials.

·         It is the first provider of wealth education training in the UK to be certified by the CPD Certification Service.

·         The company operates a series of Six figure Summit throughout the year across the UK where learned spend two full days of intensive training with Touchstone Education’s top professionals where they are given access to high value knowledge about proven property investment strategies.

·         Delegates who wish to learn more can attend follow-on specialist workshops on topics such asserviced accommodation and commercial portfolio management.

·         All the course materials are created in-house and owned by the company. As well as trading in the UK, there are plans to introduce Touchstone courses in the US, Europe and the Middle East.