Someone who once stood where you are now
I never wanted a utility business. I just wanted another income that could fit around the life I already had.
I wasn't looking for a miracle. I was looking for a little more freedom, and a little more time with my family. What started part-time gradually became full-time.
I created The Next Opportunity so people could understand this opportunity properly and make an informed decision, whatever they decide that should be.
11+
Years helping customers and Partners
Former
Head of Department Teacher
Today
Building my business full time
"I'd rather someone says no after understanding everything than yes without knowing what they're getting into. Your goals are yours, not mine."
Martin
I never planned to build a utility business.
For years, my life was music. Performing, running studios, and teaching.
I loved helping people grow in confidence. Watching a student find their feet is still one of the things I'm most proud of.
The work wasn't the problem. The hours were.
Between teaching, live sound, studio sessions and weekends away, I was regularly working 70 hours a week. I loved what I did. I just didn't see enough of my children.
Maybe you know that feeling. Enjoying your work, but quietly wishing it left you more room for everything else that matters.
Redundancy changed everything.
In 2014, I was made redundant.
It was a difficult moment, but it taught me something I've never forgotten.
Having more than one income matters.
The problem was that every extra income stream I tried also demanded more of my time. I wasn't looking for another job. I was looking for a way to create a bit more freedom without sacrificing my family life.
Perhaps you've had a moment like that too. A nudge that made you wonder whether there might be another way.
Then someone introduced me to Utility Warehouse.
I'll be honest. I didn't wake up one morning wanting to sell utilities.
But once I understood the model, something clicked.
This wasn't really about utilities. It was about helping people with something they already had, and being rewarded for it.
I've never had to convince anyone they need electricity. I just started recommending a better option to people I already knew. That felt natural.
If you've ever shared a good recommendation with a friend, you've already done the basics of what I do.
One holiday changed my mindset.
With the help of a great mentor, I qualified for my first incentive trip to Budapest.
I'd never experienced anything like it.
What struck me most wasn't the destination. It was meeting ordinary people, from all walks of life, quietly building something that gave them more choices.
I came home thinking maybe this could become something bigger. Not because I was special, but because I was willing to keep going.
You don't need to be extraordinary to do this. You just need to be willing to start.
I chose my family.
After Budapest, I decided to become more consistent. Not obsessed. Just consistent.
In 2016, I was able to leave teaching.
A year later, I stepped away from the rest of my music business too.
Not because I had to. Because I chose to.
For the first time in years, I had something I'd been missing. Time. Your version of success might look completely different, and that's exactly how it should be.
Life still happens.
Like everyone else, my journey hasn't been perfect.
Health. Family. Children. Unexpected challenges. Life happens.
The difference is that this business fitted around my life, rather than demanding that life fitted around work.
Even during quieter periods, the income I'd already earned kept coming in. That gave me breathing space when I needed it most.
If you're looking for something that can flex around real life, this might be worth exploring.
The best rewards aren't the income.
Yes, this business has taken my family to places we never imagined.
Disney, Orlando. The Maldives. European an weekend breaks across the UK.
But the greatest reward isn't where we've travelled. It's having the time to enjoy those moments together.
Your goal might be a family holiday, or it might be something much simpler. Every goal is equally valid.
Today my passion is helping other people do the same.
These days, I spend most of my time coaching and mentoring Partners.
Standing on stage wasn't something I ever imagined doing. It happened because I kept helping people. Confidence grows over time, and yours can too.
The greatest satisfaction isn't another promotion. It's seeing someone reduce financial pressure. Spend more time with their children. Take their first incentive trip. Or simply grow in confidence.
That's why The Next Opportunity exists. Not to convince people to join, but to help them understand whether this opportunity genuinely fits their life and their goals.
“I don't measure success by titles or income. I measure it by the choices it gave my family, and the choices it has helped other families create. Maybe this could be your story too.”
Martin Holmes