From Tech Success to Authentic Expression: How One Entrepreneur Found His Creative Essence
What happens when a successful tech entrepreneur realises that external achievement isn't enough? In this powerful conversation, shares his remarkable journey from learning how to code at the age of 15 to building a thriving business for 10 years—then ultimately having the courage to walk away when it no longer served his authentic self.
Tom's story is one of creative evolution and brave transformation. As a Manchester-based tech entrepreneur, musician and innovation consultant, he embodies what it means to integrate multiple creative passions into a cohesive, authentic life. His recent transition from running a traditional tech agency to launching his new business Big Echo—a consultancy that empowers businesses through co-creation and integrates his musical compositions into corporate workshops—demonstrates the profound shifts that can happen when we listen to our inner wisdom.
Through our conversation, Tom reveals how creativity shows up not just in obvious artistic pursuits but in everyday problem-solving, from cooking with a weekly vegetable box to finding new routes home when trains are cancelled. His insights about ‘Essence’—what remains when we take off all the masks and stop performing—offer a compelling framework for anyone seeking to align their work with their authentic self.
Show Notes
[00:00] - Introduction to Creative Courage
Rachel introduces the premise of the Stories of Creative Courage series
The importance of sharing experiences about moving through fear in creativity
Tom's background as tech entrepreneur, musician and innovation consultant
[03:24] - Creativity in Everyday Life
How creativity shows up beyond traditional artistic expression
The power of constraint in sparking creative solutions
Examples from cooking, outfit choices and problem-solving
Why everyone is already more creative than they realise
[06:36] - The Early Tech Journey
Tom's introduction to web development at the age of 14-15 fuelled by curiosity
Learning HTML from a physical book when software wasn't available
The creative freedom of the early 2000s internet culture
His first paid project at 15: £200 for hundreds of hours of work
[11:00] - When Passion Becomes Business
How earning money changed Tom's relationship with coding creativity
Evolution from hands-on development to business management roles
The loss of authentic creative expression in his client-driven work
Recognising the need for personal creative validation
[14:00] - Reconnecting with Music
Music as a response to the creative dissatisfaction in business
Discovering electronic music production through YouTube and online courses
The transformative experience of attending a retreat in North Carolina
Overcoming imposter syndrome: ‘Am I allowed to go and do that?’
[19:24] - Integrating Music into Professional Work
Creating custom soundscapes for corporate workshops
Using music to ground people and enhance creativity in team settings
The power of shared sensory experiences in group dynamics
Moving beyond screen-based work to embodied practices
[26:03] - The Courage to End What's Not Working
The difficult decision to close a successful 10-year business
External market pressures vs. internal authentic calling
Different types of courage: external success vs. vulnerable authenticity
The ‘insecure overachiever’ pattern and people-pleasing tendencies
[32:14] - Defining Creative Essence
What remains when masks come off and external pressures disappear
Childhood creativity before learning ‘you're not a creative person’
Finding essence through physical practices like exercising in the gym
The importance of therapy in reconnecting with authentic self
[38:21] - Big Echo: Empowering Authentic Innovation
Moving from external tech solutions to co-creation processes in his new business Big Echo
Three pillars of Big Echo: workshops, rapid AI prototyping and change management
Helping businesses solve their own problems rather than outsourcing creativity
The importance of involving end-users in the creation process
Key Quotes
"Creativity shows up in so many different ways and people really overlook a lot of the ways that they are already creative in life. Just kind of cultivating a life for yourself with all the kind of daily decisions that you make is being creative." - Tom Parson
"It's really scary to kind of honour that feeling and listen to that voice... You just have to decide, like, you know what? I'm going to decide that this is the feeling to listen to." - Tom Parson
"[Essence is] what's left after I take off all the masks and stop performing and stop doing things in the service of others." - Tom Parson
"People are giving away so much of their power... if you were just empowered to believe that you could come up with these solutions... that's going to have such a greater chance of success than anything that someone else could kind of come in and support." - Tom Parson
Resources Mentioned
Discord communities - for music production collaboration and learning
YouTube channels - for electronic music production education
Personal fitness training - as embodied practice to enable both presence and essence
Where to Find Tom
LinkedIn: Tom Parson
Instagram: @tomparson__
Website: Currently in development
Guest blog post: (on Rachel’s Substack) here
What's next in your creative journey?
Tom's story beautifully illustrates the transformative power of listening to your authentic voice and having the courage to acknowledge what your creative essence truly needs. Like Tom, you might be feeling that tug toward something more aligned, more authentic, more you.
As your guide into creative courage, I'm here to help you transform those invisible blocks—the fear and shame that live beneath the surface—so you can express authentically and freely.
Here's how I can support you:
Make an appointment for a virtual coffee (free). I hold 3-4 slots every month for a 20-minute chat so we can either get to know each other, or reconnect. This is for everyone! Perfect if you're curious about meeting new people and making, or deepening, connections.
Book a 30-minute Creative Breakthrough call (free) to gently uncover the exact fear or limiting belief sabotaging your creative expression so you can finally share your work with confidence.
Read my manifesto for creative courage (free). Follow my story in serial form about the core principles of my creativity, my journey into creative courage and why I founded Wordplay Coaching.
Creative Courage Circle: an ongoing intimate group for deep creative healing and mutual witnessing, so you can express authentically without feeling alone on your creative journey. Membership is currently by invitation only—please contact me to explore this option.
Bespoke 1:1 Creative Transformation journey based on the principle of ‘Finding your Essence’ process. This entails 6 months of personalised integration work to embrace your hidden aspects and create from your complete authentic power.
Thank You!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us live. Your presence and engagement make these conversations even richer.
P.S.
If you missed any of our previous Stories of Creative Courage conversations, you can find them all here in the archive. Each one offers unique insights into how different creatives navigate fear and find their authentic expression.
What's Next?
Have you subscribed? Click here to join our community and never miss a story of creative courage. We explore creativity, authenticity and the brave decisions that lead to transformation.
Share this post