While we are reflecting on 2024 and planning for 2025 – we thought it would be great timing to give you a snapshot of our Founder, Tim Thomas, who tells us about his journey to Career Step Up, his experience of business coaching and his aspirations for the new year. Got more questions? Drop them in the comments!
Hi Tim,
So, can you tell our readers something about you?
Absolutely! I live in the South of the UK, nestled between Southampton and Winchester. I have a wonderful wife, and we’re raising two young kids, one just started school, and the other is in nursery. We moved here several years ago, primarily to be near Southampton University, as my wife pursued her MSc and later her PhD.
What is your background?
After graduating from university, I ventured into banking, covering both the buy and sell side. My path took an interesting turn when I stumbled into financial markets headhunting. It was quite the experience, working with a small team that preferred wine bars to the office. Unsurprisingly, the company didn’t last long.
That experience, however, opened the door to a partnership with a well-known City headhunter. Over the next decade, I worked under my brand, Gerard Knight, collaborating with industry giants like JP Morgan and Lehman Brothers. When the 2008 financial crisis hit, hiring came to a standstill, and I faced two tough years without an income. I returned to university, earning an MSc in Quantity Surveying while working a full-time job.
I went on to work at a construction consultancy in Bristol and later in London. After several years, I joined the civil service, contributing to a major government infrastructure project. While it was a valuable experience, it wasn’t the right fit for me. Eventually, I pivoted to focus on my digital publishing business and that’s where I found my stride.
Why did you start Career Step Up?
The idea for Career Step Up began around 2015/16. My diverse career journey, especially my transition into construction later in life, gave me a unique perspective. I wanted to create a platform to help others navigate similar challenges. Over time, the site evolved into a resource for senior executives looking to enhance their performance and achieve career growth.
What’s your greatest success? How do you cope with failure?
One of my biggest achievements has been building a successful business while raising two young children. Working from home has its perks, but it’s also challenging to keep work stress from seeping into family life. My kids couldn’t care less about deadlines or deliverables, they just want to play. Finding the balance between work and home life is an ongoing challenge.
Failure is part of the journey. Early on, I would dwell on setbacks, seeing myself as a victim of circumstance. Now, I view failure as a stepping stone. Each setback teaches a lesson and those lessons fuel growth. The key is to reflect, adapt, and keep moving forward.
What do you think are the ingredients for success?
Clarity, adaptability, and resilience are essential. Knowing your goals and revisiting them regularly is crucial. Surrounding yourself with the right people and seeking expert guidance, like business coaching, can accelerate your progress. Success also requires consistency, a willingness to experiment, and the ability to learn from mistakes.
What personal benefit did you get from business coaching?
Hiring a performance coach this year was one of the best decisions we made. The coach helped our team clarify their professional goals and identify their intrinsic motivations. He asked the right questions, prompting us to arrive at our own realizations. That clarity has been transformative for me personally, helping define the direction of Career Step Up and how we can best serve our clients and team.
What are your aspirations and goals for 2025?
We have big plans for Career Step Up. While I can’t reveal everything just yet, I want to expand our reach among senior executives. This might include partnerships or new content formats, like podcasts. Professionally, I hope to match or exceed the success we’ve had over the past few years while maintaining the quality and integrity of our work. Personally, I aim to refine the balance between work and family life, continue my piano lessons, and stay in reasonable shape!
Thanks Tim!
In future articles, we’ll be featuring both our clients and coaches, as well as other members of our team. If you’ve got an interesting angle or would like to be featured in one of our profile articles, please connect!
This article was first published on Career Step Up.
