Two mums give kids’ sun lotion the personal touch
Seven years ago two mothers were sharing their concerns about how their children could be protected from the sun while they were at school.
The school had a no-touch policy, which meant teachers or staff couldn’t help children apply sunscreen during the day.
That conversation, in 2011, led Kelli Aspland and Laura Griffin to consider what would make a good applicator for children to use themselves. They decided it had to be mess-free, refillable, easy to use and a controlled flow – then they set about actually doing something rather than just talking about it.
They went to their local body care shop and grabbed different types of applicator pads, roller-ball products and small containers. They took them home, took them apart and tried to combine the different items to create their own design.
Then came years of designing, making patent applications and seeking help from Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Product Design Department.
Kelli and Laura are both family friends with Gocompare founder and angel investor Hayley Parsons, so in 2014 they met with her to get advice on running a business and how they could grow the company.
Hayley loved the idea and said she wanted to invest in Solar Buddies and mentor the girls – which she has done ever since.
“When I met Kelli and Laura, not only did I love the product, but I also loved the girls and their ambition and drive to spread the sun safe message,” said Hayley.
“Devising, designing and getting a product to market is no mean feat and these girls did it with no experience in business at all. They have transformed an idea around a kitchen table into a successful business and I am very proud of them and love working with them.
“I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Solar Buddies as I know they have lots more ideas to extend the range.”
The product was launched as a fully functioning item in July 2015, but it was only in February 2018 they were finally awarded the patent and now have intellectual property and design protection.
Kelli and Laura have worked full-time on Solar Buddies since the summer of 2015. Before the launch, Kelli had been about to start her nursing training and Laura was a civil servant.
Since then they have picked up a number of awards and just last month were named in the Sunday Times as part of the Maserati 100, which recognises 100 gamechanging entrepreneurs.
Also in April they appeared on Channel 4’s Buy It Now programme, where they had 90 seconds to pitch the product to an audience of shoppers. If the shoppers would buy it, then three major retailers would consider ordering the Solar Buddies.
Kelli and Laura received an order of 2,000 Solar Buddies from JML, Prezzybox and Clas Olson off the back of that appearance.
Laura offers this advice to other would-be inventors: “It isn’t an easy process, but this shouldn’t put people off. The staff at the patent office were so helpful and were very supportive of us throughout.
“Even though it was costly, we saw it as an investment in our business and our future as inventors, as we have plans to add more products to the Solar Buddies brand.”
Kelli thinks it is a shame so few women feel able to turn their ideas into a profitable business – according to the Patent Office, only 7% of women in the UK own a UK patent.
“Bringing an idea to life is tough, it takes hard work and determination, but women have more than enough of that to go around,” she said. “We wanted to publicise the fact that we have been awarded this patent to help encourage anyone else considering the process, as it’s been worth the wait.”
Laura added: “The past few years have been a whirlwind, with 2017 seeing us increase sales by 500% and now 2018 is already shaping up to smash those records again.
“We are very excited about what the future has in store for us. We know we want to extend our range and now, having the support of some serious retailers, we have the time to focus on what comes next. We have plenty of ideas and plans all ready to go, so it’s just a matter of time before out next product is launched. Watch this space!”