Personal Purpose Stories: Tom Kay, Finisterre
“We have a culture where people are allowed to run with their ideas and contribute to that common purpose.”
As part of our investigation of the importance and power of personal purpose, we spoke to Tom Kay of Finisterre about what purpose means to his business.
Tom Kay founded Finisterre in 2003. Born from the needs of cold water surfers, the brand builds the best and most sustainable products for those that share its love of the sea. Multi award winning, with a pioneering take on innovation to achieve sustainability that can be found throughout its product line, the brand operates from its clifftop workshop in St. Agnes and now has six stores. A certified B Corp, Finisterre has become a fast-growing challenger brand by continuing to push forward fresh innovations.
Q. How important is it that your company reflects what’s in your heart?
Finisterre is an embodiment of who I am, very much so. I am passionate about the sea, the environment, and creating a good place to work that looks to effect change and challenges the status quo. That’s how I am as a person, and that’s what I’ve built a brand around.
We aim to inspire love of the sea in everything we do. That comes from me, and what my parents wanted to give to me when growing up, from where we’re located, from the time we make in the day to let people go surfing. The sea is deep in us, and we reinforce that through all aspects of our culture.
Q. How do you invite other people in the business hook into that?
Of course, other people come on board and take the lead vision forward in their own ways. We have a culture where people are allowed to run with their ideas and contribute to that common purpose. We are open to new ways of thinking, and challenging what’s gone before. That goes from a director to the newest employee.
There’s a healthy amount of creativity and freedom that people have at Finisterre in terms of how they can shape their role and plot their future. We don’t micro-manage. There is an exciting sense of common purpose around why we’re here and hopefully a sense of personal empowerment around contributing to that.
Q. What’s been the effect of that on the business?
Innovation is key to solving problems and forms a part of how we look at briefs. It’s always exciting to see the new ideas coming into our product line.
Our purpose is to build the best and most sustainable product possible. That’s quite an open brief, and it gives our design team the incentive to seek out sustainable alternatives, recycled fabrics, different ways of manufacturing — that all come to life in the products on a weekly basis.
To find out more about what personal purpose could mean for innovation and growth within your business, get in touch with The House on 01225 780000 or email graham@thehouse.co.uk.
