About this Video:

In this episode of The Vision with Execution Show, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Tom Cooke, an entrepreneur from Leeds, UK, who has made it his mission to help people break free from the 9–5 lifestyle and step into business ownership with confidence.

Tom’s journey started with what many would consider a dream setup: a solid upbringing, good education, a degree in civil engineering, and a well-paying job as a quantity surveyor overseeing multimillion-dollar construction projects. On paper, it was success. But in reality, Tom found himself unfulfilled, frustrated, and yearning for something more meaningful.

His first big move into business wasn’t glamorous. In fact, he admitted to making two major mistakes: leaving his job too soon without savings and failing to manage money properly once income started flowing in. These hard lessons taught him that desperation is the worst mindset for an entrepreneur. His advice to others is simple but profound: build your side business until it consistently replaces your income, then make the leap. And once you do, manage your money with discipline so you can grow without falling into debt traps.

What stood out most was Tom’s honesty about fear. He talked openly about the uncertainty he felt during Brexit, the pushback from family worried about his choices, and the crushing doubt that nearly drove him back to a job during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. But instead of giving up, he leaned into service. By reaching out to his network and simply asking, “How can I help?”, he landed his first coaching client. That simple act reinforced a principle that has guided his business ever since: serve first, results will follow.

Tom also broke down the three most common fears that stop people from starting their own business:

1. Fear of failure – the risk of things not working out.

2. Fear of success – worrying about responsibility and scale.

3. Fear of judgment – caring too much about what others will think.

His antidote to all three is trust—trust in yourself, trust that you’ll grow into the person capable of handling success, and trust that your life is too valuable to waste worrying about outside opinions.

Toward the end of our conversation, Tom laid out a roadmap for turning skills into income:

• Identify your strengths and the problems they solve.

• Look for frustrations in areas like health, wealth, relationships, or convenience.

• Start by serving your first five clients for free in exchange for testimonials.

• Use that social proof to build trust and attract paying clients.

It’s a strategy rooted in humility and service but designed to build long-term momentum.

For me, this conversation underscored something I often teach my own kids—never spend more than you make, but always be willing to invest in growth. Tom’s story is a powerful reminder that while the entrepreneurial path is filled with mistakes, fears, and uncertainties, it’s also filled with the kind of freedom, impact, and purpose that a corporate ladder can never offer.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in the 9–5, Tom’s story might just give you the push you need.