A lightbulb moment

moment! A LIGHTBULB

Have 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... E 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

Lucy Carr-Seaman is the inspiration behind Seenin and shares with us her ‘lightbulb moment’. My true passion has always been design and like many business ideas Seenin started accidentally. I have three children and my middle child, my daughter Hester, suffered from Acardi Syndrome which put her in the one in a million bracket and with profound and multiple special needs. She sadly lived only until she was 13yrs old.

Seenin started when I discovered how difficult it was to find a practical dribble bib for my daughter. I wanted a stylish bib that was waterproof and kept her clothes clean and dry. As I couldn’t find what I wanted, I decided to design my own. The bibs grew in popularity with fellow pupils at Hester’s school and hence the name “Seenin” came about. I developed sales further through exhibitions and mail order before progressing online through our website. Seenin is now run in Hester’s memory and we work with many parents and carers to produce practical products which

Lauren and Felix share with us the challenges they faced personally, which resulted in them launching what was to become a commercial venture. Access Your Life (AYL) was launched in September 2018 with the hope of alleviating some of the struggles associated with having a disability. More specifically, ensuring people living with disabilities and carers do not have to fight so hard to gain access to the best medical resources and equipment for their individual needs.

Something Lauren and Felix (Company Creators & Directors) know all about following the sudden decline in Lauren’s health, and Felix’s life-long battles with Dyslexia. All of which inevitably lead to complex care requirements, difficulty accessing the right equipment, and endless battles relating to her quality of life! It was because of these experiences they became determined to create a unique online platform built on user experiences! help solve everyday problems.

Seenin became an independent business in 2012. We specialise in a wide range of clothing and accessories for children and adults with disabilities including bibs, aprons, wheelchair covers, sleepsuits, changing mats and more! Everything we make has been specifically designed for additional needs, providing comfort and practicality without forgoing style. For example, our bibs, aprons, and kerchiefs are all waterproof, machine washable and durable. Our anti-strip zip back sleepsuits are designed to keep little houdini’s in their clothes and their hands out of their nappies.

I am so proud of how Seenin has grown. We now offer a wide range of products including specialist bibs, aprons, wheelchair covers, sleepsuits, adaptive gloves, and overalls. In addition, we regularly update our range of products with limited edition styles and prints. I am lucky to work with talented staff who have each contributed to the development of Seenin. Using my

Fast forward to 2020 and AYL’s online review forms are helping people living with disabilities, by assessing how well a device meets their individual needs prior to purchasing. Preventing them from having to make life-altering decisions, based on a sales pitch from a supplier, or unrelated online sources.

In addition to this, they have a communal blog and preloved equipment scheme, which allows people to list their unwanted products for sale AND receive help finding suitable buyers!

After analysing their directory of equipment reviews, the AYL team recently started working with manufacturers around the globe to provide discounts on the most durable and highly rated products; a method they wish to apply to other areas within the mobility industry in the coming months. Because of this, they hope to become “Trip Advisor” of the medical equipment industry!

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own design experience and feedback from our customers we continue to develop our range of products that provide solutions and make everyday tasks a little easier.

We are always developing new products and currently have several ideas we are working on. Some are improvements to existing lines and others totally new. Keep checking on our website for new product launches! Also, we are looking forward to attending the Kidz to Adultz shows next year, meeting our customers and friends in the trade.

www.seenin.co.uk 01434 634 457 info@seenin.co.uk

www.accessyourlife.co.uk 07787227778 contact@accessyourlife.co.uk

TAILORED BUSINESS SUPPORT...

Growth company Business Growth Hub* exists to significantly improve our communities by making businesses the very best they can be. Their experienced advisors spend time getting to know you and your business objectives, enabling you to create a bespoke growth plan which adapts as you and your company evolves. The tailored support they deliver is often fully-funded and includes: • One-to-one advice • Peer-to-peer collaboration • Specialist programmes • Events and interactive workshops • Essential online resources • Connections to networks and supply chains • Sector-based support

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