What inspired you to start Tomlinson Solutions?
I’ve always been a bit of a tech geek. I loved building computers and, more importantly, I was good at explaining technology to people who didn’t understand it. What started as an evening hobby gradually grew into something much bigger. Over time, I built it into a business I could run full-time, operating as a one-man band for around eight to ten years before expanding.
What’s one challenge you faced early on that really tested you?
One of the biggest challenges was juggling a full-time job while running the business on the side. My customers didn’t know I was working elsewhere, so I had to manage expectations carefully. I’d tell people I was busy during the day and would get to them later, but in reality, that meant finishing my day job and then going out to deliver work in the evenings. I always made sure I delivered, but it was tough. I didn’t want customers to stop working with me because I wasn’t full-time yet, while at the same time, I was trying to grow the business and build a reputation. Alongside that, confidence was a challenge. I’ve definitely experienced imposter syndrome. I used to worry that one day, someone would say I didn’t know what I was talking about, even though I did. Over time, as the business has grown and I’ve stepped into different roles, that feeling has reduced significantly. Experience helps, and so does proving to yourself that you’re capable.
What three words would you use to describe your leadership style?
Supportive, empowering, and fun.
I believe people do their best work when they feel trusted and supported and enjoy what they do. Creating that kind of environment is really important to me.
What was it like going from working solo to leading a team?
In the early days, I did everything myself, including the service desk, accounts, operations, and everything in between. That experience has been invaluable because it has given me a strong understanding of what each role requires. It has also helped me delegate more effectively as the business has grown. The biggest challenge was learning to let go. Trusting others to deliver at the same level I expected from myself wasn’t easy. However, stepping back has allowed the team to thrive, and it has shown me that the quality remains just as high. That has been a major shift and has allowed me to focus more on growing the business.
What advice would you give your younger self starting out?
Believe in yourself sooner.
Imposter syndrome definitely held me back early on. In reality, I had strong technical knowledge and, thanks to my background in psychology, I was also good with people. That combination of understanding technology and being able to explain it clearly is incredibly valuable. I often explain it to my children as being like climbing a staircase. You don’t need to reach the top straight away; you just need to keep taking the next step. Even if you slip, you don’t go all the way back down. I just wish I’d believed that myself a little earlier.
What do businesses often get wrong when choosing an IT partner?
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that many businesses only think about IT when something goes wrong. It becomes a case of “something breaks, fix it”, which is a bit like putting a plaster on a cut without dealing with what caused it. That approach might solve the immediate problem, but it often means the same issues keep coming back. As my experience has grown, I’ve become much more focused on understanding the root cause and helping businesses prevent problems before they happen.
What’s a common risk businesses don’t realise they’re facing today?
One of the biggest changes I’ve seen is the shift from device-based risk to cloud identity risk. In the past, antivirus software on a device offered a reasonable level of protection because most data was stored locally. Now, so much business information is held in the cloud, which means a compromised login can expose a significant amount of sensitive data. The risk is no longer just about someone accessing a device. It’s about someone gaining access to your identity and being able to act as you, view confidential information, and potentially damage your reputation. It’s an area that many SMEs are still getting to grips with, and it has become a much bigger part of the conversations I have with business owners.
What makes Tomlinson Solutions different from other IT providers?
It comes down to our approach. We don’t just fix problems; we act as a true extension of the business. We focus on making sure IT actively supports growth rather than slowing teams down. That means planning ahead, whether it’s budgeting for hardware over the next three years or ensuring systems are fit for purpose. Security is also a significant differentiator. We don’t offer tiered packages such as bronze, silver, or gold. In reality, the “gold” level is what businesses actually need, but many providers use lower tiers to attract customers with lower prices. We’ve removed that structure entirely and instead offer one standard that reflects what businesses need today. If a customer is breached, we’ve failed. If their IT slows them down, we’ve failed. That mindset drives everything we do.
Outside of work, how do you switch off?
I enjoy going to the gym, as it’s a great way to reset during the day. Outside of that, it’s all about family time: dog walks, barbecues, and what we call “Saturday night dinner”, when everyone comes round, we eat together, and then play board games. We’re big fans of games such as One Night Ultimate Werewolf, as well as classics such as Rummikub. I do try to introduce more “geeky” games, but they don’t always go down too well!
Final Thoughts
Ian’s journey reflects what many business owners experience: starting small, building confidence over time, and learning to grow beyond doing everything themselves. What stands out is the focus on doing things properly instead of just fixing IT issues, but preventing them, planning ahead, and genuinely supporting businesses as they grow through technology.