moment! A LIGHTBULB
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ave you sat at home and thought, why can’t I find ‘this’ product or ‘that’ piece of equipment? You have scoured the internet - you still can’t find it. Surely, somebody has designed it. It’s not rocket science. Could it be you, that takes the leap into that big wide commercial world? Debra Evans, Chief Executive of Disabled Living, tells us about her experiences of people having that ‘lightbulb moment’. During the twenty years I have been involved in the planning and delivery of the Kidz to Adultz Exhibitions, I have been delighted to work with many parents of disabled children who have built successful businesses out of their personal need to find a product, piece of equipment or service for their child. I spend my time at the Kidz to Adultz Exhibitions chatting to parents who have the most wonderful ideas, but don’t know where to start, to turn their idea or concept into a potential commercial venture. There is an abundance of support available to people who have a ‘concept’ or even a fledgling business if you know where to go! I have chosen three companies who regularly attend the Kidz to Adultz Exhibitions, who have built successful businesses out of a need to ‘develop something different’. By highlighting their journey and making you aware of an organisation I work with, The Growth Company who offer advice and direction to develop Disabled Living’s services, I hope to give you the inspiration you need to take the next step and turn your business dream into a reality. What is even better is they offer free services for ‘start up’ or established businesses. Meet the people behind the businesses...
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mily Goodall the founder of BundleBean tells us what inspired her to set up her own business. BundleBean was originally a one-product company, selling a multi-use footmuff for babies, inspired by my own parenting experience and frustration with expensive and poorly conceived baby products on the market at the time. Our first product hit the shelves in 2011 and our expansion into the disability market followed in 2015. We didn’t realise that so many of the customers of our baby products were using them for their children with a range of special needs; from toddlers with spica casts, through to older children in special needs buggies or with sensory processing disorders. As these children grew, their parents began to get in touch and request larger sizes. We launched at Kidz to Adultz North 2015 with a very small selection of child wheelchair cosies. By lunchtime we had sold everything and run out of leaflets, so we realised there was a clear
demand for practical, waterproof cosies in a jolly print! Since that day, our range has expanded to include our signature fleece-lined waterproof cosies in adult sizes as well as a lightweight pocket-sized rain cover version. We have co-ordinating handlebar bags, spoke-guards and stuff sacs as well as practical travel items such as padded flight and storage bags and bag clips. This autumn sees the launch of our Bean Extreme Range – a two-part product that has been designed for maximum comfort and very cold weather. The business has expanded across both markets and we are now on sale all over the world. Expansion has been fastest in the disability sector and is now half of our business – not bad for something we thought would be a nice add-on to our baby range! We have found that no-one else is making products like ours and we are proud of our position in a growing marketplace of fun, beautifully designed and highquality products for people with disabilities. We feel strongly that this sector has been overlooked for too long and will continue to look at ways to create products that are easy to use, eye catching and look nothing like medical aids in any way (we will NEVER produce anything in beige or burgundy!)
www.bundlebean.com 020 3795 7225
