There are plenty of reasons people decide they want to build an additional income. For Tom Marshall, it came down to something very simple.

He wanted to be there for his son. After leaving the Royal Marines, Tom retrained as a surveyor. It seemed like a sensible next step, but after two years working as a self-employed professional, he found himself working more than 80 hours a week. That wasn't the life he had imagined, and more importantly, it wasn't the family life he wanted.

At the time, Tom's son was just two years old. Tom would leave the house in the morning while his son was still asleep and often return home late at night, by which time his son was asleep again. He was working hard to provide for his family, but he was missing the very things he was working so hard to provide for. Something had to change.

He knew something had to change.

He was working hard to provide for his family, but he was missing the very things he was working so hard to provide for.

That led him to look for a different way forward.

He discovered that by building his own business, he could create the flexibility he craved without sacrificing his income.

Wanting to Be There

For Tom, the attraction of Utility Warehouse wasn't simply the possibility of earning more money. It was the potential to build a residual income that could eventually give him more control over his time.

He wanted to be the dad who was there for the school plays and sports days. He wanted to be able to watch his son grow up rather than feeling as though work was taking him away from those moments.

That became his reason for building the business.

There were other rewards along the way, too. Tom and his family have enjoyed a number of reward holidays, including trips to Las Vegas, South Africa, Orlando and several European cities, all captured in other success stories.

But the bigger change came through consistently building the business alongside everything else.

Tom didn't need to completely change his life overnight. He put in the effort part time over the years and gradually built something that could give his family a different future.

Building the Life They Wanted

Eventually, the family dream Tom had been working towards began to become a reality.

Today, they also have animals that they care for, creating the sort of lifestyle that once seemed difficult to achieve while Tom was working such long hours.

That doesn't mean the journey was quick or effortless.

Tom's story is about consistent part-time effort over a period of years. The business developed alongside his existing commitments rather than replacing everything immediately.

And that's an important part of his experience.

The flexibility wasn't created by simply joining. It came from putting the work in and continuing to build the income over time.

More Than the Money

Tom also talks about another part of being a Utility Warehouse Partner that has become increasingly important to him.

During the pandemic, and now during the cost of living crisis, he has found it rewarding to be connected with so many people and to help them through difficult times.

For Tom, that's become one of the most rewarding parts of what he does.

The residual income has also given the family something that many people are looking for, greater financial security. Tom says the significant monthly residual income he receives from customers introduced by himself and his team means they no longer have the same money worries.

That's a long way from where he started.

When you're working more than 80 hours a week, it can be difficult to imagine a different way of living. Tom's experience shows that change doesn't necessarily happen through one big decision. Sometimes it's the result of building something consistently alongside the life you already have.

Tom's Advice

If you're considering becoming a Utility Warehouse Partner, Tom's advice is straightforward.

Grab the opportunity with both hands and don't let go.

His own journey started because he wanted to be more present for his family. Over the years, the business has given him the opportunity to create the family life he wanted, while also providing an income that gives him greater financial security.

The most important part of Tom's story isn't the holidays or even the income.

It's the fact that he no longer has to choose between working hard for his family and actually being there with them.

He wanted to be the dad who didn't miss the school plays and sports days.

Today, he has built a life where those moments can be part of his everyday reality. Interested in hearing more? Explore our other success stories or find out how our partners get started.