#10 Tom Chain
I met Tom through researching visual creators on LinkedIn. I wrote a post two months ago that went viral, and he was one of the creators that I included into my list.
🤩 About Tom Chain: Hi everyone! I’m Tom and I've got a bit of a unique story. I hold master's degrees in both Finance and Political Economy. My career began in investment funds and investment banks, where I helped businesses grow with the right funding and strategies. Now, I'm achieving similar goals through art, something I never thought possible, yet here I am. I work with leaders, founders, and CEOs, helping them express themselves and connect with the world through videos, illustrations, and words. For me, it’s about bringing their visions to life in the most authentic way possible.
Moving from finance to creative content wasn’t about leaving numbers behind. It was about pursuing my real passion for helping people stand out and share their unique stories. Before, I provided financial backing and strategic advice to help businesses flourish. Now, I use storytelling, capturing ideas with images or the perfect turn of phrase. The tools have changed, but my aim remains the same: to uplift and inspire.
Running marathons has also been a significant part of my journey. To me, it’s more than just a physical test. It has taught me about discovering my potential and the hidden strength we all have, especially when we think we’ve hit our limit. This belief, that there’s always a little more we can give, influences everything I do. It motivates me to find new ways to break through my own (perceived) limits.
So, my job is to ensure that when someone has something important to say, it reaches and impacts the right audience. I’m here to make those connections happen, using everything I've learned from my past experiences and my interests. It’s all about connecting people, and no, Nokia is not a client of mine.
🗽 Freedom dimensions: My work is all about creating cool stuff, learning constantly, and forging real connections. I find working with people I genuinely like and respect far more rewarding than the nature of the work itself, no matter how interesting it might be. This likely explains my diverse skill set. I'm motivated by understanding the 'why' behind things, not just the 'what.' Making a positive difference in someone's life, whether it’s brightening their day, boosting their business, or simply sharing knowledge, is what gets me up in the morning. It's this desire to make a real impact and focus on practical solutions that guides my work. I’m always on the lookout for opportunities to leave a positive mark in whatever way I can.
⚡️ Trigger: What led me to change direction wasn’t a lightning bolt moment. I’ve never been one to wait around for some big sign. To me, it’s like waiting for a bus in a no-bus zone. Change is all about those quiet nudges, the ones that whisper it’s time for something new. I've always believed it's better to implement change on your own terms rather than wait for the perfect moment to arrive or have it imposed on me.
Seeing change as an adventure has always excited me. I like to think of it as keeping the door open, so I’m ready to welcome new opportunities. Rather than waiting until I’m so uncomfortable that change is the only option, I choose to lean into it, asking myself what I truly want and where I want to be. This mindset keeps me from just floating along. It puts me in the driver's seat, actively shaping my journey towards what lights me up the most.
At this point, I’m all about diving into spaces where I can create, learn, and connect. While the future might bring changes, I’m certain that right now, this path is leading me to deeper meaning, fulfillment, and joy in my work and life.
🚀 Start: Diving into change with both feet, I began by launching my own YouTube channel. It was all about exploring my passions: human psychology, philosophy, and self-improvement. This step threw me into a whole new world where I was learning on the go. I went from brainstorming video ideas and writing scripts to perfecting the lighting and editing and finally hitting 'publish'.
This journey was as much about connecting with others as it was about honing my skills. I mingled with fellow creators, diving into the online creator's economy, and started conversations with my viewers. This interaction was enlightening, showing me the real possibility of earning from my passions with enough dedication.
About a year in, I discovered the power of illustrations, how they could distill complex ideas into compelling visuals. Suddenly, writing scripts and editing videos transformed from tasks into a form of artistry. This wasn't just a career switch for me but a return to what I believe work should truly encompass: creativity, continuous learning, and fostering genuine connections.
🔀 Pivot: My journey hasn't been about sticking to one path but more about keeping an open mind and being ready to explore wherever curiosity leads. This openness has taken me on some unexpected turns, enriching my skill set and introducing me to a world of ideas and people. I’ve always been inspired by Gustave Flaubert's idea that "Anything becomes interesting if you look at it long enough." That's been my mantra as I dive into new areas, not just focusing on developing skills but also on the connections and stories that come with them.
Sharing my work and receiving feedback has been crucial. It's kind of like experimenting to see what resonates, which has been a key part of my learning process. Moreover, connecting with people on similar journeys has transformed this experience from a solo quest to a collective adventure. There's something special about being part of a community that understands and supports your exploration.
The modern world often prizes specialists, but my heart lies in the path of a polymath. I believe in the power of weaving together diverse disciplines to spark innovation and creativity. This approach has broadened my perspective and allowed me to uncover unique solutions and ideas.
💰 Finance: When I shifted gears into a new career, I was fortunate to have a financial cushion that covered me for about two years. This gave me the freedom to immerse myself in learning and building my freelance business without the constant stress of finances. This cushion came from a combination of my savings and social aids related to my previous employment. Having this financial security allowed me to focus fully on what I love, gradually creating a career on my own terms. It was crucial for giving me the room to experiment, learn, and grow at my own pace.
🏆 Why it worked: What made all the difference on this journey was truly embracing the process. Getting so involved in what I was doing, from learning to overcoming obstacles, helped me move forward without getting hung up on the outcomes. This approach kept me going, eager to experience and learn from everything that came my way.
Adopting a growth mindset was crucial. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, I looked for lessons in each one, treating setbacks as opportunities to grow rather than as failures. This mindset transformed my journey, making each challenge an exciting part of my story rather than a roadblock.
Equally important was getting clear on what I really wanted. Taking the time to reflect on my ambitions wasn't just daydreaming, it was strategic planning. It equipped me with a sense of direction, enabling me to make decisions aligned with my true self and reject what didn't serve my larger goals.
📌 Learnings: If I could change one thing, it’d be who I listened to in the beginning. When I started, I kind of took everyone’s advice to heart, which wasn’t really helpful. I eventually figured out that it’s not about ignoring advice, it’s about really tuning into people who’ve been in similar situations. Finding mentors who had walked similar roads made all the difference. They helped me cut through the clutter and keep my eyes on my own path instead.
🤔 Key advice: Carl Jung once said, 'If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s.' That thought really hits home for me. It's a nudge to remember that finding your own way sometimes means stepping into the unknown. My advice is: don't shy away from change. Welcome it, chase it even. Keep learning, stay curious, and don't stop exploring. Your path doesn't have to look like anyone else's because it's yours alone, shaped by every new thing you learn and every step you dare to take.
☕️ Are you open for my readers to reach out for a coffee chat? Sure, you can find my contact details here!