I'm currently in a very scary place. Over the past 6 to 12 months, I’ve made massive changes to dedicate myself fully to The Tinnitus Guy (TTG). Ultimately, I left my position as Head of Service in one of the largest hospitals in the West Midlands to focus more on TTG. But at times like these, I wonder if it was the right decision.
A Difficult Decision
A few months ago, I had to make a tough choice. I was working as Head of Service for a large audiology department in the West Midlands—arguably, the highest position you can aim for in mainstream audiology. I had the ability to influence the department's operations, I was earning more than ever before, and things seemed to be going well.
Yet, despite everything, I started feeling increasingly unsettled. After years of balancing TTG alongside my full-time role, I reached a tipping point where the conflict for my time became overwhelming. I had to ask myself some hard questions about my priorities. Which did I want more: the job or the business? Ultimately, I chose the business. I downgraded to a lower role, working fewer hours, so I could pursue my dream with TTG.
Why I Made This Choice
In essence, it boiled down to asking myself: what would I regret more in 20 years? If I stayed in my comfortable NHS management role, would I be satisfied? For me, the answer was clear—no.
I had already realised the limitations of large organisations like the NHS, especially in middle management. Real change takes decades, and there are too many external factors beyond your control: staffing issues, sickness, policies, and endless decision-making delays. Unless you have a 20-year runway, real impact is hard to achieve.
What kept me in the role was the hope of making a positive difference in the profession I’ve dedicated nearly two decades to. But after 16 months, it became clear that this hope was unlikely to materialise. That realisation pushed me towards leaving.
The Potential of TTG
On the other hand, TTG has real potential—not just to change my life and my family’s, but to make a significant impact on those we serve. I believe the business can grow to make a national, and hopefully international, difference for people living with hearing-related conditions.
Yes, it’s risky. We’re naturally wired to choose comfort over risk, but I couldn’t live with the regret of not trying. I would rather fail trying than never attempt it at all.
How Risky Is It, Really?
To be honest, how risky is it? As Naval Ravikant discusses in The Almanack, there’s actually very little risk in modern entrepreneurship. In today's capitalist societies, we place a high value on individuals pursuing their dreams, and there are many safety nets to cushion potential falls.
With the protection of limited companies and the support systems around us, I don’t have to worry about catastrophic failure. Of course, the fear of failure is a potent deterrent, especially worrying about what others might say. But the more I reflect and listen to others who’ve taken similar paths, the more confident I become that this fear is unfounded. People don’t care as much as we think, and if they do, it’s usually a sign that you’re doing something right.
Navigating the Journey
So here I am, working part-time in the NHS as an advanced audiologist, and devoting every other moment to TTG. Naturally, I’m earning less than before, and it’s nerve-wracking. I’ve spent over two months building services, the website, processes, and a background team to support the business. I’m investing in advertising, design, marketing, and various apps, but I don’t yet know if it will pay off.
My personal finances aren’t looking great—expenses remain the same (if not higher), but my income hasn’t caught up yet. Still, I have faith that the work I’m doing now will eventually pay off. It’s exciting but equally terrifying.
Balancing Family and Business
As a husband and father, I have to stay strong for my family. Their lives go on, and I have to ensure their school clubs, trips, and activities continue to support their growth and development. That’s the hardest part of this journey—you're on your own most of the time. No one else can solve these problems for me.
Building Customer Trust
My prices have increased because I know our service deserves it, but the question is, do my customers see that value? Fortunately, over the last three years, I’ve built strong relationships with loyal clients who continue to book. The challenge, however, is convincing new customers that we’re different from the competition.
A big part of achieving this will be through social media content, which we’re now sharing across all major platforms. I’m hopeful that in a few months, I’ll be able to look back at these worries and smile.
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