When I was 18 I boarded a train to Oxford to meet a friend for a drink. Someone had left a newspaper on the seat opposite me and — absent any other distractions — I started leafing through it. 

I was looking for a job at the time so when I saw a high paying sales role advertised I decided, for no real reason and with little hope of success, to apply for it. 

Well, I got the job and was terrible at it — I was fired within a couple of weeks. But I also crossed paths with Hayden Sutherland who told me to go to university instead, and became my first career mentor.

When I showed an interest in web design, Hayden introduced me to a friend of his, Ed Texier, who was a great designer and had just launched his own agency. Tex took me on and under his watchful eye I developed my UX/UI skills which eventually led to me getting my first contract role immediately after graduating — back with Hayden, re-designing P&O Ferries website. 

At P&O I met Phil Leitch who got me a job at the consulting firm where he worked, when that project ended. I learned an insane amount from Phil — lessons I still apply today — but the job didn’t really work out. 

Fortunately another colleague there introduced me to Nish Kotak, who put me in touch with Emma Robertson who hired me to help on the redesign of Argos.co.uk, where on my first day I sat down next to one Ben Smith who — sixteen years later is my business partner and best friend.

I reflect on this experience often and keep coming back to three big lessons:

1. You don’t succeed if you don’t try
If I hadn’t applied for that idiotic job I probably wouldn’t have the career I do today. If there’s no downside to something there is no reason not to try.

2. It’s who you know
Forming good relationships with people massively increases your luck surface area. I'd be in a very different place without the people mentioned above who gifted me each opportunity.

3. Success has as much to do with serendipity as strategy
Having a fixed plan can make you blinkered to unexpected opportunities that might be even better. Be open to opportunity!

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