From Kitchen Table to Global Empire: Natasha Thomas on Building, Scaling & Balancing It All
Manage episode 516217748 series 3678265
In this episode of Not Just a Number, SRLV Partner Linda Botha sits down with Natasha Thomas, Founder and CEO of Total Management Group and Lockdown Liquor & Co, to unpack one of the most inspiring entrepreneurial journeys in the creative and events industry.
From starting at her kitchen table in 2006 to leading a £30M global group operating across the UK, US, and beyond - Natasha shares the raw truth about building a business from scratch, navigating angel investment, scaling across continents, and maintaining balance as a mother of three.
She opens up about what it really takes to grow a purpose-driven business, why resilience and relationships define great leadership, and how working with trusted partners like SRLV has been pivotal to her success.
What You’ll Hear:
- How Natasha grew Total Management Group from a solo startup to a £30M annual revenue international business
- The truth about finding - and managing - angel investors
- How to lead through crisis and come out stronger
- Why investing early in people pays off long-term
- The realities of work-life balance for high-performing founders
- Why SRLV’s financial partnership and strategic insight were key to scaling
- The importance of mentorship, boundaries, and resilience in leadership
Key Moments:
0:00 – Welcome to Not Just a Number with SRLV’s Linda Botha and Total Management Group’s Natasha Thomas
01:00 – Entrepreneurship Mindset: Growth, Drive, and Vision
02:57 – Founding Total Management: The Kitchen Table Origin Story
05:11 – Pivotal Moments: Angel Investment and Company Evolution
10:00 – Crisis Management: COVID-19 Impact on Business
13:06 – Resilience and Leadership During Difficult Times
16:23 – Building a Strong Team: Recruiting and Developing Core Talent
18:04 – The Lockdown Liquor Startup Story
19:09 – Applying Lessons Learned: Mistakes and Growth as an Entrepreneur
21:05 – The Drive to Start and Grow Businesses
22:21 – Funding, Scaling, and Company Milestones
25:00 – Leadership Style: Hustle, Motivation, and Team Energy
26:39 – Importance of Mentors and Leadership Support
27:47 – U.S. Expansion: Managing International Business Growth
30:20 – Professional Partnerships: Accounting, Legal, and Outsourced Support
36:20 – Balancing Work and Family: Advice for Entrepreneurial Parents
41:02 – Preventing Burnout and Setting Boundaries
43:41 – Delegation Skills & Maintaining Wellbeing as a Leader
45:00 – Defining Success: Happiness vs Wealth
51:52 – Key Advice for New Entrepreneurs
Prefer to watch? Head over to our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.
Not Just a Number is a podcast for entrepreneurs, creatives and industry pioneers who want to grow businesses and protect what matters most to them and to their families.
Produced by SRLV - one of London’s leading boutique advisory firms - the show goes far beyond tax and accounting to bring a unique perspective on business, innovative thinking and leadership from the people shaping global industries, including music, entertainment, technology, consumer brands, and private wealth.
Each episode’s candid conversation focuses on personal stories, business strategies, top tips and trends - from scaling up companies and international relocations to creative rights and real-world business growth.
Whether they are clients or professional contacts, all our guests are friends of our business and so much more than “just a number”. People and relationships always come first at SRLV.
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