How Relationships Helped Build a Publishing Brand: Tom’s Unlikely Journey into Publishing - 360 Life Stories

Some people follow a straight line into their career.Tom didn’t.He somehow jumped from real estate… into publishing… into international sales… and then into launching his own children’s book company, Townhouse Publishing.And the best part? None of it was part of the original plan.In this episode of 360 Life Stories, Tom takes us behind the scenes of a career built not on strategy, but on curiosity, resilience, and the art of building relationships that actually matter. We dive into how he found his way into the publishing world, what it really takes to run a lean and creative business, and why children’s books ended up being the heart of everything he does.Whether you're interested in publishing, entrepreneurship, creativity, or simply love hearing a story of someone who carved their own path this one is full of insight, humour, and brilliant lessons.What we cover in this episode:How Tom’s unconventional leap from real estate led him into publishingWhy relationship building is still the most important skill in salesThe early days and founding story of Townhouse PublishingHow children’s books became the company’s core focusInternational sales, scaling abroad, and opening new marketsInnovation and staying ahead in an old, traditional industryDigital trends vs. print: what’s actually happeningMaking books accessible to everyoneThe challenges and rewards of running a lean businessThe future of Townhouse Publishing