My personal story starts on the Isle of Wight, a small time forgotten island off the south coast of England.

 

As a lad I didn’t really put much thought into business - at the time I was more passionate about playing football in the park with my mates. 

However as I grew up I started to appreciate the value of money, the internal stresses it can cause and thus the importance of financial security.

Looking back, I realise I had a few particularly good skills.

 

1. I was great at taking something and making it better.

2. I was quite creative and always like to look at things from a different perspective

3. I had a knack for building rapport with people… 

Whilst studying Civil Engineering at university, a couple of mates started an online business focusing on compiling all the local takeaways into one place, it was a great idea. I saw an opportunity to help them and negotiated my way in.

 

Without realising it at the time, I had just negotiated my first consulting-for-equity deal. It went on to be sold a few years later to Just Eat, and I made a few quid...

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After uni however I didn't know what I really wanted to do so I followed my mates into London and landed a job as a Graduate Civil Engineer. I only made the one application, but this led to one interview and I landed the job. 

My taste for being an employee didn’t last long though. I was working long hours and my earnings were capped. It was also boring… not like the fun I had working with my mates to create something like before.

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I wanted more control over my earnings and more flexibility with my time. ​

‍I had already started investing into property whilst working and so decided to focus more on this. I thought if I could build some solid rental income I would have some financial security to jump into starting a business for myself. 

In 2014 I quit my job and decided to start a property sourcing and management business. 

However rather than focus on that, I was too keen to build my empire quicker than I actually could and my attention kept turning to the next ”big shiny object”. I pumped a lot of time and a lot of money into starting new ventures….

 

I was trying to run multiple business marathons, on very little sleep, with very little money and little support.

Unsurprisingly, after a few years of spinning many plates and living with constant financial stress, I had a breakdown. 

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Searching for answers and help I invested in a mentorship programme and shortly after starting I had an epiphany…

Why try and compete in a marathon, when I could just back the winner and still collect a share of the prize?

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This is when my mindset completely shifted from trying to start something from scratch every five minutes - effectively creating myself a new job and a new stress each time - to becoming a more hands off and strategic investor.

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I now invest in debt and private equity, buying and selling lower mid-market companies across various industries. I also continue to enjoy investing in property in both the residential and commercial sectors.

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I help business owners to think more like investors and approach their businesses in a different way to how I used to. I get to work with some amazing people, we have fun and we create amazing value, together. 

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I also have a passion for speaking and regularly speak at events, businesses and schools about my journey, and to share my experiences and knowledge. If you’re interested in booking me or having a chat about what value I can add, please contact my amazing team here.