About me

Hello there!

My name is Tim and I founded My Carbon Coach in 2021 after completing a degree in Geography and Environmental Science through the Open University as a mature student!

I wasn't planning on opening a shop though at all once I'd finished studying, but I'm so glad that I did because it's been an incredible few years.

I view My Carbon Coach as way more than just a shop. It's a hub for the local eco community, an eye-catching beacon enticing people to investigate and maybe make an eco-swap or two!

After working in clothing retail management for well over a decade, at the age of 34, I decided that I wanted to do something different, something more, I wanted to go back to university and study a degree in something I was really passionate about. And so in October of 2018 with the amazing support of my Wife I began my studies with the OU.

Little did I know that I'd soon be back working in retail! My Grandparents were also shopkeepers so it must be in my blood, but also I wanted a way to be able to make the biggest impact for the planet, the find a way to reach and help the most amount of people possible, and so I created My Carbon Coach, to help the people of Taunton and further afield on their eco-journeys.

Why do I do it?

I have memories from growing up in the 80s and 90s of crushing empty cans of pop in the garage and storing them up alongside the glass jars and bottles until we had enough to drive to the huge recycling banks in the carpark in town, and my brother and I would strain to reach the opening to throw the cans and glass inside.

That memory along with my studies shaped my purpose. I’m passionate about helping people help the planet. Changing habits, being mindful about what we do, from what we buy to what we throw away.

The shop has been through a number of iterations on it's path to getting where it is today. It started out as a pop-up on the side of a coffee shop while I explored self-employment and whether Taunton was in need of a business like mine... it was!

I moved into my first 'solo' premises after 6 months and the shop grew, with many customers becoming regulars and me reinvesting heavily to grow the range. It was here that the refillery was introduced, now a main feature of the shop.

I always knew that I wanted to have my little eco shop be a part of the lovely Taunton Independent Quarter though, and over Christmas 2023 I relocated once again (hopefully for the last time) to my current premises, a beautiful building that used to be a vegan restaurant, very fitting! And theere's now ample space to grow and thrive and really help the community!

  • The first pop-up!

  • My home for over 2 years

  • The final shop!