To pick your brains about a new business idea?

Cuppsoupmonster · 2023-02-20T17:09:54+00:00

I have a product idea I’d like to have a go at getting off the ground. Problem is, I have no idea where to start! It’s a children’s toiletry type product, but my background is not in beauty or business. Any pointers on how to go about it would be very gratefully received! Thanks x

WillyAndHarold · 20/02/2023 17:16

Not much to go on!

Have you researched the market? Are there already similar products? Can you beat them on cost? If not, what is your USP?

Do you have any experience in any form of manufacturing?
Have you made a prototype?
Can you make enough (just by yourself) for the launch and early months?
Do you need any form of safety/hygiene accreditation (either for the product or for the workplace)?
Where will you be making/storing it?

Do you have any experience in any form of PR?

Are you envisaging online (or market stall or even shop) sales direct from you, or are you hoping to attract retailers?

Original poster

Cuppsoupmonster · 20/02/2023 17:37

No similar product, definite gap in the market -
have been searching high and low for something for my daughter and cannot find it!

As for your other questions - no idea where to start. I’ve had a cursory Google but it’s hard to tell what is genuine good advice and what are companies trying to rip you off!

It’s a product a little like sun cream or lotion, but specific. I can’t imagine there would be issues around hygiene or storage.

I suppose my first port of call would be to find somewhere that can make the actual product but I’ve no idea where to start with that either!

OP posts:

Clarinet1 · 20/02/2023 17:47

No issues with hygiene or storage? If, as it sounds, this is going to be something that is applied to a baby’s skin I cannot see how that could be the case. Surely if something like that is not produced or packaged under clean (probably antiseptic) conditions it could develop all sorts of bugs which would infect a baby’s skin. Also, once it’s on the skin, babies will touch most parts of their body and then put their fingers in their mouth which, if bacteria were present, could obviously lead to food poisoning or other illnesses.

Clarinet1 · 20/02/2023 17:50

PS I’m not saying that your idea may not have “legs” as a product but safety is something that you must address. After all, you certainly don’t want the publicity and possibly financial claims if there were a disaster of this kind.

Original poster

Cuppsoupmonster · 20/02/2023 18:09

Clarinet1 · 20/02/2023 17:47

No issues with hygiene or storage? If, as it sounds, this is going to be something that is applied to a baby’s skin I cannot see how that could be the case. Surely if something like that is not produced or packaged under clean (probably antiseptic) conditions it could develop all sorts of bugs which would infect a baby’s skin. Also, once it’s on the skin, babies will touch most parts of their body and then put their fingers in their mouth which, if bacteria were present, could obviously lead to food poisoning or other illnesses.

I mean, toiletries are generally pretty full of preservatives aren’t they? And don’t contain anything which food borne illnesses could thrive in - eg you wouldn’t think twice about putting sun cream on a baby that had been in a cupboard for six months, knowing they would touch their mouth. But of course I would follow whatever rules there are - I just don’t know what they would be!

OP posts:

BitsAndBaubles · 20/02/2023 18:11

@Cuppsoupmonster you would have cosmetic assessments which are quite expensive I think

Bubblebubblebah · 20/02/2023 18:12

If you are in NW, Women's organisation is great.
If you are younger than 30, I believe Prince's trust can help.
There are lots of charitable organistaions to help with business planning etc or at least point you somewhere helpful for your plan

Clarinet1 · 20/02/2023 18:33

Cuppsoupmonster · 20/02/2023 18:09

I mean, toiletries are generally pretty full of preservatives aren’t they? And don’t contain anything which food borne illnesses could thrive in - eg you wouldn’t think twice about putting sun cream on a baby that had been in a cupboard for six months, knowing they would touch their mouth. But of course I would follow whatever rules there are - I just don’t know what they would be!

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I think you will find some useful pointers by googling. Good luck!

girlfriend44 · 20/02/2023 20:18

Good luck. See you on dragons den.

Original poster

Cuppsoupmonster · 20/02/2023 20:28

Clarinet1 · 20/02/2023 18:33

I think you will find some useful pointers by googling. Good luck!

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No, Google was hopeless! Hence posting here!

OP posts:

Original poster

Cuppsoupmonster · 20/02/2023 20:29

girlfriend44 · 20/02/2023 20:18

Good luck. See you on dragons den.

😂 ain’t gonna happen! Just fancy a project and who knows.

OP posts:

WallaceandGrommit · 20/02/2023 20:38

Once you have a solid idea, really consider whether you need to get some intellectual property advice. If you have come up with something new you may want to consider patenting it, or if it has a characteristic design you may want to lodge design rights (speak to a patent attorney for these). If you have a specific brand name in mind and/or logo design it’s also worth speaking to a trademark attorney.

I can’t help on the business side of things but if you want to be able to stop someone copying you you will need some form of IP protection. IP protection can be expensive, but it also holds value to investors if your product were to take off.

Most importantly, make sure that any conversations you have are done under a confidentiality agreement. If your idea enters the public domain you will struggle to get protection for it.

OneFrenchEgg · 20/02/2023 21:19

www.edqm.eu/en/cosmetics-for-children-under-the-age-of-three

Start here op and follow links, etc. try HSE as well maybe?

OneFrenchEgg · 20/02/2023 21:20

https://safetyassessor.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2004-10 SOFWWIKW Childrenssand Babyy_Cosmetics.pdf