From Kitchen Table to Career: How We Built Our UW Business
Hi, I'm Gary. My wife Emma and I are proud Group Leaders with Utility Warehouse — but our journey didn’t start with confidence or instant success. In fact, it took 18 months just to say yes. Here's how a second-income suggestion became a life-changing decision.
Where It All Started
I spent my early career with BT, joining straight from school and staying with them until I took voluntary redundancy in 2007. In 2009, I launched Whitstable Computer Repair, helping local people with their tech. Around the same time, a local UW Partner suggested I take a look at the business — they thought the residual income might help fill the gaps between computer repair jobs.
At the time, Emma was working over 60 hours a week as a childminder. We were both trading our time for money, and while we were grateful for what we had, we wanted more flexibility — and a better long-term plan.
Taking the Leap
Even with all the reasons to say yes, it still took me 18 months to make the leap. I joined UW in June 2010. I’d dabbled with internet marketing, but had no formal sales experience. Emma had tried a few well-known MLMs (Amway, Pampered Chef, Avon) but hadn’t found success there either.
Getting started wasn’t easy. As an introvert, it took me six months to sign up my first two customers. I wasn’t exactly inspirational, and I struggled to build a team. Emma, having once worked door-to-door selling double glazing, wanted nothing to do with it at first.
Finding Our Rhythm
Over time, we both began to see the bigger picture. Emma eventually joined in, and we started to build momentum. There were still ups and downs, but we stuck with it, found our own rhythm, and slowly but surely grew our business.
Where We Are Now
Fast forward to today, and we’re proud to be Group Leaders — a position held by just 0.5% of UW Partners. We’ve built a mature business that gives us both income and freedom. We have over 3,000 group customers, 340 personal customers, and a team of around 200–300 Partners. We’ve enjoyed luxury holidays through UW, drive a branded UW Mini, and have the flexibility to shape our own future.
We’re now working toward becoming Senior Group Leaders — a goal we’re excited about, and one we know is within reach thanks to the platform UW provides.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a genuine business opportunity that’s changed our lives. If you’re someone who wants to earn from home in the UK, have a flexible lifestyle, and build something meaningful — UW is a path worth exploring.