Cara’s invention goes international
A conversation with a mum friend who was stressed at keeping her toddlers entertained, and safe, during meal preparation, inspired former Timaru woman Cara Guillick to take action. Following some research, the Auckland-based marketing and product develope
Cbench and various chairs, all of which are stressful situations for the parents. Connecting with toddlers on a daily basis during everyday activities is so important for toddler brain development.’’
For Gullick, who was headgirl at Timaru Girls’ High School in 2003, the quick success of her product has been a pleasant surprise.
She was given the idea by speaking to her oldest friend in Timaru, who needed to solve the stress of meal-time preparation.
‘‘Her toddlers were always wanting up to get involved and there was no safe way to do it,’’ she said.
There were too many situations where accidents, such as standing the children in a chair and them falling off, were a possibility.
After hearing of their plight, Gullick did some research and found there were no safe products on the market that would boost little ones to stand, learn and ‘help’ at bench height.
She decided to combine her international marketing and product development skills with the needs of the parent she had listened to and designed the safety stool.
Another big aspect in its design was that it looked good and that it was New Zealand-made, she said.
She also wanted to help others, something Gullick said was inspired by her mother, who is a nurse.
‘‘I wanted to put my product development and marketing skills to work to the benefit of others in the community too.’’
Gullick said every day – morning, noon and night – throughout the country parents are preparing meals and toddlers are missing out on vital developmental opportunities.
‘‘For so many parents, having their toddlers in the kitchen when preparing meals is a hazard, and at the minimum very frustrating.’’
She said connection and educational activities on a daily basis are proven to be crucial during a child’s brain development during their first 1000 days of life.
‘‘The more connected activities little ones experience on a regular, consistent basis, the better the frontal cortex part of their brain will develop.’’
Originally she travelled to Guangzhou, China, to consider having her product made there, but didn’t like what she found there, and was nervous about the quality.
‘‘The more I thought about it, the more I wanted my business to support ‘the man next door’.’’
She said having the product made in New Zealand meant less environmental impact, and supported the New Zealand economy.
‘‘I love New Zealand, our people, our work ethic and our land and wanted the Arc Assistant to be a product of our beautiful country.
‘‘Even the water-resistant board that they’re made of is from New Zealand too.’’
She also chose a Scandinavian- inspired look for the stool.
Gullick said while the celebrity praise was great, one of the best pieces of feedback her product had received was from a mother in the North Island whose 2-year-old daughter (who suffers from a bone disorder) has not only further developed her fine motor skills through regular bench activities using her product, but also gained confidence in her standing in general.
‘‘My favourite part of my day is hearing stories from parents and childcare workers around New Zealand and across the ditch about their experiences,’’ she said.