“I was always drawing in school and I still draw to this day, with a pen and A3 tracing paper in my office, which I’ll then give to someone to work up on the computer. The difference since taking on the business is the need to find a balance between what I love doing – drawing – but also managing the business and all the information that goes with that. Admittedly, that’s the current challenge I’m facing.
“For me, the work-life balance is fundamental. The upshot of running the business is that I can plan my time and workload to fit between 9am and 5.30pm. If you haven’t achieved what you need to within those timeframes, you might be doing it wrong. Quality time with family and my children is what I work for.”
“I do call upon my network for support” Tom adds, “I rely heavily on Dan at Haines Watts for advice, and we’ve become friends so I know I can ask him informally for advice if I need it. “Then there are other business owners I’ll turn to – architecture businesses who we don’t view as competitors, because collaborating has the power to be mutually beneficial rather than only competing. My business partner James and I catch up every Monday, not just about business but personal issues too – whatever is on our minds. Constantly talking and confiding can only be a good thing in my eyes.
“The gentleman that has really helped me through this process, particularly with the funding for the purchase, is Philip Davies, former chairman of Linden Homes. He’s got to a position where he can now help small businesses and by backing us, he gets to be involved in a passion of his, having been in the housing industry all of his life. A Dragon’s Den type character, he’s an inspiration to me and has a really calming influence. We meet monthly.”