Jo finds a market for children's gym equipment
Sep 30 2008 By Tom Scotney, Enterprise Editor
A former primary school teacher from the Black Country has launched a firm making pint-sized gym equipment for children.
Jo Haydon, from Sandwell, set up Complete Kidz, and now travels to schools and community centres to sell the range of tiny gym equipment for children aged under 12.
Children can choose from tiny treadmills, bikes, rowing machines and stepper which have the added benefit of being powered by the kids’ own movement rather than being motorised like their adult-sized counterparts.
Ms Haydon said she had always thought there was a gap in the market for children looking to exercise, and she had known there was the opportunity for business success there.
She was helped setting up the business with advice and funding from Business Link in the West Midlands.
She said: “When I worked as a PE teacher there wasn’t any gym equipment for the children to use. When they get a bit older – and taller - they can use the adult-sized equipment at gyms but why should the younger ones miss out in the meantime? I have a good contact with a firm that manufactures the equipment and I took it from there.
“I go out to several schools across Birmingham, Sandwell and Dudley and to community centres. I take the equipment to them, head the sessions and train teachers on how to supervise the children. They can then either buy the equipment or hire me each time.
“I love what I’m doing. Not only can the primary aged children get the most of a workout, I’m also passing my knowledge onto the staff too. At the moment there is only me but now I’ve been able to buy the extra equipment, I’ll be able to take on more venues and there will be I know there’ll come a point when I need to take on some extra staff.”
Before going on the course attended a one-day business awareness event then booked a session with Sandwell Women’s Enterprise Development Agency.
Business adviser Jo Burrill said: “We first dealt with the business basics, completed a SWOT analysis and looked at how to market, research and finance a business.
“Then we compiled a business plan and financial forecast after which point we were able to secure £5,000 of funding for Jo to buy more gym equipment.
We’ll be providing ongoing support and I’m confident Jo will do very well. It’s not a business idea I’ve ever seen before – which in itself will stand her in good stead - but it’s also her passion for what she does that should keep the business flourishing.”
