Helping People Save Money & Simplify Life

Helping People Save Money &  Simplify Life

by James Tanner, Utility Warehouse.

If you had told me a few years ago that I would be running a growing business alongside a full-time job, two neurodiverse kids and a calendar that is almost unreadable due to the endless crossing out and rewriting, I probably would have laughed. Or cried. Or both.

For most of my working life, I have been the person who says yes.
Yes to helping.
Yes to taking things on.
Yes to the next, bigger job.

And honestly, that has never changed. I still love helping people and I’ve enjoyed my career.  The difference now is that I have found a way to do it that also helps my own family.

As a UW Partner, I work with households and small businesses to help them save money on essential utilities and simplify the stressful admin that comes with running a home or business. I support people personally, and I am also looking to connect with local business owners, property professionals, tradespeople and anyone whose customers would benefit from saving money too.

Becoming a dad to two brilliant but very busy children completely changed the way I looked at time and flexibility. Between school meetings, therapies, reviews, phone calls and the general whirl of family life, I realised I needed something that gave me more control without sacrificing stability.

What I did not expect was that the answer would be a business that is simple, people-focused and surprisingly enjoyable.

When I discovered UW, it was not the products that struck me first. Let’s be honest, things like gas, electricity, mobile phones and broadband are hardly the sexiest topics in the world. But they are essential to absolutely everyone. In fact, my children would probably try living without air before they tried a day without broadband. And that is the brilliance of it. Everybody already uses these services and all I do is show them a way to pay less. 

Through Cotswold Networking, I have met so many existing and very happy UW customers and I’ve heard lovely things about other UW Partners in the network too. Hearing their experiences has made me even more passionate about what I do, the people who I get to work alongside both in my own team and in others as well as the long-term impact it can have.

One conversation led to another.
One homeowner saved £300.
Another family saved almost £2,000. That’s meaningful money back in people’s pockets and it makes such a huge difference.

Gradually, this small business became something I look forward to working on. It is a realistic path to more flexibility in the future, but more importantly, it is meaningful work.

These days, I am focusing more on connection than perfection. I am meeting business owners who are open, supportive and genuinely interested. I am learning to protect my time so I can say yes to the things that move me forward. And occasionally I am learning it with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (Chilean is my fave at the moment!) in hand.

If you are a business owner, a property professional or someone who simply wants to understand how to save money personally or through your network, I would love to connect. Even if you only want a friendly chat about work, life or balancing both, I am always happy to talk.

About the Author
James Tanner, member of Cotswold Networking’s Malmesbury group is a proud dad, husband, and UW Partner. After years of juggling full-time work, parenting two neurodiverse children, and trying to find the ever-elusive work-life balance, he’s now focused on building a life with more flexibility, freedom, and purpose – and helping others do the same.

Website Link:    https://uw.co.uk/ref/v2/partner/AG1682

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555431699447

LinkedIn Link:   www.linkedin.com/in/jt0301