The problem was never capability. It was being forced to figure it all out alone. That’s why we built Blackline Academy.
For years, Tomas and Alexis heard the same frustrations from business owners...
"I've been to three workshops and still don't know what to do next."
"I can't get through to the support scheme I signed up for."
"I'm in year three and still feel like I'm winging it."
The pattern was clear: plenty of generic advice existed, but very little practical support for people who actually needed it.
So in 2025, Blackline Academy was created: a consultancy that doesn't just tell you what to do, but helps you actually do it.
Meet the Founders
Tomas Phillips
Business Strategy & Growth
Fifteen years supporting thousands of business owners, from scribbled ideas to fully staffed businesses. Tom specialises in untangling the messy bits, making sense of what’s important, and helping founders actually take the right action.
His approach: most people don't need more information. They need someone to ask the uncomfortable questions, and figure out what actually will make money versus what just feels urgent.
Alexis Charkiw
Finance & Operations
Qualified accountant with twenty years helping founders who are brilliant at what they do… but have no idea if they’re actually making any money. Alexis specialises in making digital tools actually work for you, simplifying the jargon, and the “I think I should be profitable?” guesswork to make finances clear and manageable.
Her approach: most financial confusion isn’t about numbers being hard. It’s about no one explaining them in a way that actually makes sense. Alexis points out the holes you didn’t see, and helps you focus on what actually keeps your business afloat and growing.
What Drives Us...
Business support shouldn't be a luxury. And it definitely shouldn't feel like you're bothering someone when you need help on a Tuesday afternoon because a client just asked for a refund and you don't know what to do.
We believe in;
Being useful, not just impressive.
We're not here to dazzle you with frameworks and jargon.
We're here to look at your actual situation and help you work out what needs to happen next, in language that doesn't require a business degree to understand.
Showing up.
Not just for the scheduled sessions, but for the bit that actually matters… the follow-through.
The "I've drafted the email but I'm scared to send it" moments. That's when people need support most, and that's when most support vanishes.
Honesty over encouragement.
Sometimes what you need isn't someone telling you what you want to hear.
It's someone saying "this isn't working" or "you need to stop doing everything yourself." and actually helping you deal with it.
That's why Blackline exists.
Not to add more noise to an already overwhelming space, but to be the support we wish had been around when we needed it (and that thousands of business owners have told us they're still looking for).
If that sounds like what you've been looking for too, we want to hear from you!