MY EOS LIFE

My Entrepreneurial Journey: From University Work Placement to Building a Global Business

July 5, 2024

Looking back, my entrepreneurial journey has been an evolution, shaped by both calculated risks and unexpected challenges. It all began while I was still at university, during a work placement that would set the course for my career. I joined a one-man band called Raymead Consulting, working out of the founder’s home office. This wasn’t just any small business though—Raymead was delivering cutting-edge marketing and customer communications solutions to some massive clients, including Channel 5 during its pre-launch and Microsoft Business Solutions.

What amazed me right from the start was how much of an impact a small business could have on major organisations. I was hooked on the energy and potential of small teams achieving big things. It wasn’t long before I found myself playing an active role in Raymead’s growth. Over the next five years, we expanded from just the two of us to a team of over 40 people. The experience taught me valuable lessons about scaling a business, adapting to clients’ needs, and most importantly, the incredible value of staying agile.

But as much as I loved the work, I wanted to see what else was out there. So, I decided to join the UK arm of a smaller US software company. It felt like the right next step—until 9/11 hit. The world changed, and like many businesses, the company decided to downsize. Eventually, the UK operation shut down entirely, leaving me at a crossroads.

Rather than jump straight into another job, I saw this as an opportunity to build something of my own. Along with three former colleagues, I co-founded LOAD Analytics. We started small, but we built a loyal client base, helping businesses navigate the growing complexity of marketing technologies. As the business grew, we each began to focus on different clients and their unique needs. Our relationships with these clients became so strong that they eventually bought us out, bringing our expertise—and us—into their organisations.

That’s how I found myself working at Orange (now EE/BT). While it was a fantastic company and gave me the “client-side” experience I had always felt was missing, I missed the excitement and agility of working in smaller businesses. Mobile telephony was booming at the time, and the experience was invaluable, but once I had achieved my goals, I knew it was time to return to the world of consulting.

This time, I joined Unica, a leading marketing technology company based in the US. It was the perfect fit—small enough to remain dynamic but with a big enough reputation to work on some really exciting projects. However, after a few years, Unica was acquired by IBM. While IBM is an impressive organisation, the idea of being one of 600 people acquired into a company of 480,000 wasn’t for me. I thrive in environments where I can make a direct impact, and I knew that wasn’t the path I wanted to follow long-term.

That realisation led to the birth of Purple Square CX in 2011. With a vision to deliver exceptional marketing technology services, we built the company from the ground up, growing it to a £5mn ($6.5mn) revenue business over the last 13 years. Our success wasn’t confined to the UK either; we expanded globally, establishing subsidiary businesses in Malta and Australia. But as any entrepreneur knows, growth comes with its own challenges. There were times when we made profits comfortably, and other times when tough decisions—sometimes expensive ones—had to be made. Despite the ups and downs, Purple Square continued to thrive.

However, after the COVID pandemic, I realised something important. The business was outgrowing my own passions, and the lifestyle wasn’t what I had envisioned. Dealing with jet lag from frequent travel and out-of-hours calls was draining. I asked myself, “Why work so hard if it’s your company, and it’s not giving you the life you want?” So in 2023, I facilitated a management buyout of the Australian business. It was the right decision both personally and professionally.

Through this journey, I discovered EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), a set of tools and processes that transformed how I ran Purple Square. EOS brought structure and accountability to the business, making it more enjoyable and manageable. I became such a believer in the system that in 2024, I decided to share my experience and knowledge with others by becoming a Professional EOS Implementer through my new venture, Peak Leadership.

My entrepreneurial path has been a blend of highs, lows, and learning at every turn. From working in a home office to building a global business, it’s been a journey of growth—both personal and professional. And now, as I help other businesses implement EOS, I’m excited to pass on the lessons I’ve learned to help others find their own version of success.