Classroom teacher takes an entrepreneur’s approach
Businesswoman used her knowledge of school to set up own educational resources business
IN this week’s SME Focus a creative primary teacher explains how grappling with the challenges she faced in the classroom led her to develop her own business.
Name: Caroline McLachlan
Age: 36. What is your business called? Kulio Ltd. Where is it based? Largs, Ayrshire. What does it produce? We design, create and manufacture educational resources for children in the early and first levels of primary education (children aged four to eight) The concept characters are designed to engage, entertain and educate children learning the many maths concepts taught at these early levels: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, equals, odd and even. Our packs provide a stimulating interactive learning experience and promote active learning. We also offer continuing professional development training on how to deliver Kulio Education resources. We will soon be offering apps for iPads and Android devices as we are in collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University to develop this through the Interface programme. Who does it sell to? At the moment we predominantly sell to education authorities and primary schools but we are looking to bridge the gap between home and school learning by introducing parent packs where the children can continue learning the concepts taught at home. Our commercial products will also help strengthen this area with our collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University. What is its turnover? The company started trading in June and we have had modest sales since then. With the passion and the belief in our resources and with the success it has been receiving within local authorities, by the end of financial year 2016 we will have an estimated turnover through our resource packs alone of around £45,000. How many employees? Just me, for now! I hope to take on additional staff to help with marketing and logistics as soon as financially feasible. When was it formed? August, 2013, although I had been working on the product and using it within a local primary school for many years before that but not at the marketable standard you see today. Why did you take the plunge? I created my first character Adding Adam in 2003 and I noticed the children were more engaged during my maths lessons than previously. I went on to create more characters like Take Away Tiger, Silent Soldiers Odd Todd & Even Steven, Multiplying Magician and Dividing Dinosaur. I took the plunge because I found children enjoyed learning with my characters, their attention and engagement in class improved and their understanding of the concepts was much improved than before. This was consolidated by school staff and visiting staff. This gave me the confidence that something I created was working.
I made contact with the Scottish Government regarding my educational resources and they directed me to the Education Scotland body, which played a very positive role for me, both as a business and as an education practitioner.
Educational Scotland provided encouragement and secured the knowledge I needed that Kulio resources would be an accepted credible learning tool within a classroom environment.
With my prototypes in hand, my designs and my years of evidence and research I then approached Business Gateway who set me on the path to finding appropriate partners to develop my artistic character drawings into marketable animated resources. I was also supported by Ayrshire Chamber who provided a mentor for a year. Her knowledge and guidance was valuable and led me to sourcing manufacturers for the cotton drawstring bags that are embroidered with the character name that give them that unique touch. All my manufacturing is local to Ayrshire.
I sourced schools out of my region to pilot my resources to provide market research and feedback on how the children, teachers and head teachers
By Mark Williamson
Email: mark.williamson@theherald.co.uk Telephone: 0131 240 0282 received the resources. This pilot was successfully completed in Argyll and Bute Council with eight primary schools, both rural and town locations, over an eightmonth period.
I was also fortunate to have participated in Entrepreneurial Spark’s five-month Accelerator programme in 2013. I went to the Ayrshire “Hatchery” in Dundonald as a “Chicklet” and met some fabulous people. The enabler provided support, guidance and knowledge that I was able to put into practice, especially as I was at the very early stages of my business then. Connecting and meeting other businesses at various stages of their own growth gave me the opportunity to develop new skills which I found beneficial.
What were you doing before you took the plunge? I continue to work part-time in a primary school in a role that is very rewarding and gives me plenty more ideas for new characters. I am in an early years class with three to five-year-olds as well as running my business.
Before that I was an early intervention early years practitioner working in P1 to help raise attainment in literacy and numeracy. Thus the reason I created my resources. How did you raise the start up funding? Most of the money I have spent on my business has come my own personal account and continuing to work has allowed me to pay for manufacturing, pilots, websites etc. I was lucky to receive a grant from North Ayrshire Council for my animation for my characters at the very beginning which was a great assistance. What was your biggest break? Visiting Education Scotland and getting recognition from others in my sector that I have created a credible resource. Working on the advice given by such individuals has opened up opportunities for my resources to be recognised. What was your worst moment? Waiting for the trademark coming through in case of a dispute. I rely on my brand. What do you enjoy most about running a business? I am a very creative person so I love seeing an idea become a reality, especially when it is my own. What do you least enjoy? Worrying about the money and tax returns and all the things that go with it. What are your top priorities? My top priorities are to introduce Kulio Education to all 32 local authorities in Scotland by early next year. Expand my team and create jobs and finally to animate my characters into digital animation. What are your ambitions for the firm? For Kulio Ltd are to be a success. I would like Kulio Education to be one of the leading Education companies in the UK and for Kulio to be a recognised children’s brand for education and commercial products. What could the Westminster and/ or Scottish governments do that would help your business? When I started this journey into business I was on my own. But not for long. I have received a great amount of assistance from many organisations such as Business Gateway, Scottish Enterprise, Ayrshire Chamber and Entrepreneurial Spark. Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise continue to assist my growth and development today and my business continues to grow daily. I would like to see more financial support for older entrepreneurs. What was the most valuable lesson you have learned? Always plan and be prepared: “Fail to plan, plan to fail.” How do you relax? By walking my dog with my head phones on and blocking out everything.