Finley Thompson's career path has run in a different direction to the one he had envisaged.
But his window shutters venture is working well and his days competing in triathlons at the highest level are behind him.
A former pupil at Grimsby's Wintringham School and Franklin Sixth Form College, he studied for his degree in Sports Business Management at Leeds Beckett University.
At that point, his triathlon career was blossoming – but then Covid struck.
Opportunities to compete, and earn any sort of living, disappeared and he worked for his dad who owns a joinery business.
“He dabbled in shutters around 20 years ago but there was a lot involved in manufacturing them,” said Finley.
“It just struck me as an idea as they were getting quote popular.
“I found a supplier that imports them from China and it went from there.”
RNS Partner Robert Smith and the team have supported Finley in establishing Cleethorpes Plantations Shutters Ltd.
Finley still runs and is a member of Cleethorpes Athletics Club, but he does not do so much on the triathlon side now.
“Unless you are doing really well at triathlon, it is hard to make a living, what with the travelling and everything else.
“I'm now into a fifth year of running my shutters business and I haven't looked back.
“At the start, I was doing them for friends and family, then it just snowballed.
“I promote the business through Instagram and Facebook and this generates the business.
“It is all local to the Cleethorpes and Grimsby area.
“The more people who see shutters, the more want them. They look smart and, in a way, are like fitted furniture.
“They concertina vertically and the blades open and close.
“They are a bespoke item, individual to the property and what the owner wants. I measure them, which is not as easy as it sounds, and they are made in China, exclusively for that window or windows.”
The RNS team look after the firm's VAT returns, bookkeeping, company accounts and Finley's personal tax.
“Rob's really good and oversees everything,” said Finley. “He's been a really big help at times.
“It is not easy running a business and it is reassuring to know they are there to help and advise.”
Rob was pleased to support.
“Finley's a terrific example of somebody who's seen an opportunity and grasped it,” Rob said.
“His life was going in one direction and it's taken quite a turn. But he's embraced it and is an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs.”
Find the business @cleethorpesplantationshutters