Fancy working with your Mum? Lee Wilcox, Co-founder and CEO of online social media powerhouse community, On The Tools, does just that! So, in celebration of Mother’s Day, Lee sat down with his mum (and fellow co-worker!) Sue, who works in the accounts department at On The Tools. Take a read below to find out what running a business while working alongside your mum is really like, and if Lee, a now successful entrepreneur, had any of that entrepreneurial spirit growing up…
You can catch the full video on the On The Tools Facebook page and on LinkedIn.
Let’s start off with Sue; how did you start working at On The Tools?
S: Well, Lee was living back at home for a while when he started On The Tools.
L: This is going to become some kind of sob story!
S: He’d started selling hoodies and t-shirts, and because he was working on his own he didn’t have time to pack them, so I started packing while he was at home. He didn’t think it through very well as we didn’t even have anything to send them out in! We had to send the first few out in black bin liners! Soon the hoodies and t-shirts took over the house…that’s when Lee thought he’d better find an office.
The good old days! What was your reaction when Lee said he was going to quit his full-time job to join On The Tools?
S: I was a bit concerned! But he assured us that he knew he could make it work… so we felt confident he could do it. It’s a big thing, giving your job up, isn’t it?
L: I think I remember Dad pushing back more on it, asking ‘how are you going to get any money?’ But I remember we spoke about me potentially going bankrupt – I remember that conversation more! Cause I was really struggling, I’d got myself into a right pickle, but I saw On The Tools as an escape route to get out of that.
S: Which you have.
L: Bless my mum – see, she wants everyone to see I haven’t gone bankrupt yet!
Sue, how do you find the culture at On The Tools?
S: I love it! It’s like a big family. That’s why I’m no longer retiring at the end of the month like I said I was going to!
And Lee, what’s it like working with your mum?
L: I think it’s been really good along the way. It was only at a certain point when we started adding more people to the business, that I had to stop calling you ‘mum’, and start calling you ‘Sue’.
S: I don’t think you ever called me ‘Mum’… Right from the beginning you were like, ‘at work, you’re Sue!’
L: Yeah, maybe! But no, I think it’s been fine – there’s that whole thing of ‘working with your family’, I think with some families it works and with others, it just wouldn’t. Emma, my sister, has done bits too and even Dad’s helped at certain points around Christmas back in the day. We had the Dream Team that one night where it was all four of us packing mugs and hoodies until about 10pm! But me and Mum are really similar, and I think that’s why it works. We think the same so we approach things in the same way, we don’t clash – me and my Dad would argue if we worked together!
Have you ever said anything in the office and then thought, ‘oh no! My mum’s in here – I can’t say that!’
L: Yeah, probably every week…
S: Yeah, every week when you swear!
L: Listen to this! I guess sometimes I forget I’m at work because I’m with my mates, having a laugh – and then sometimes I think ‘oh God yeah, my mum’s in the corner’
S: I’m used to it!
Did Lee have any entrepreneurial spirit growing up?
S: I would say yeah – he was always the organiser. Our house was where everyone met up to go out, because you were always organising where people were going.
L: Yeah, to make sure people would go out with me! Like ‘no you come to mine! I’ll sort the taxis!’
S: He often did little money-making things too – he had these little jobs, like he was a referee when he was 15 for extra money, and you did that Nordic walking course didn’t you. He’s a qualified Nordic walker!
L: Mum you’re killing me! Yeah, I’ve had loads of different schemes.
S: So, I’m not surprised. I knew he’d find something.
Lee, what’s been your favourite part about working with your mum?
L: Being able to do the journey so far with you included in it. The business wouldn’t have even been able to get off the ground without my Mum being part of it. And you’ve understood when things have been stressful, it’s just been good to have you involved.
S: Yeah it has been an amazing journey to think we started with just those hoodies in the living room. Everyone’s hard work has grown it in to this. It’s been good.
L: It’s been emotional Mum!
Where do you see On The Tools in ten years time?
S: Well I’ll definitely be retired then!
L: Don’t worry, you’ll be in a good home somewhere! No, I see it under the arch of different businesses, or having different businesses within it. We’re going through that growth phase now; but we want multiple offices in multiple countries. Loads of people, loads of money, and loads of fun!
Any final words?
L: Genuinely, we would not have been able to do it without you. So, 1) I’m glad you’re not retiring, cause I didn’t want you to anyway, and 2) thank you, I love you very much!
S: Thank you, I love you too! That’s a bit cheesy isn’t it!
L: Yeah it is, but I don’t care! Right that’s enough.
Catch the full interview on Facebook and LinkedIn and find out more about On The Tools by visiting onthetools.tv.
