Award for baby-inspired invention
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Now read how Debbie did it...
Debbie (second from left), who trades under the Debra Clare brand, not
only won the Concept Award but she's just picked up Tommy's first ever
Innovation Award, a new category in the charity's annual prize-giving
ceremony.
Debbie got the idea for the Baby and All Bag - which is about to be stocked
by babyworld - three years ago. Fed up of juggling new baby Holly with
a handbag and the paraphernalia of son Joshua, then five, whilst on the
school run, she hit on the idea of a stylish shoulder bag that conveniently
transforms into a hands-free hip carrier.
After producing the prototype and patenting her idea, she sourced a bag
manufacturer in the UK but the deal fell through at the last minute. "Actually
it turned out to be a blessing in disguise," says Debbie. "They gave me
the name of the supplier in China and in a way it was actually good to
cut out the middle man.With the English manufacturer we were not a very
big client so our samples took about six weeks. But I now know that timescale
is ridiculous as they can come from the factory in about 10 days."
Debbie avidly read a book called A Better Mousetrap by Graham Barker
and Peter Bissell , which she recommends to all other would-be inventors.
She also strongly suggests investing in a trip to your suppliers, even
if they are abroad. "Before our first consignment, we were advised to
see it so we flew to China," she says. "They had misprinted the labels
and put them upside down on an order of 1,000 bags!"
 Debbie
is now reaping the rewards of three years of hard work. "It's great, it
was amazing to win the Innovation Award," she says. Jane Brewin, chief
executive of Tommy's, explains: "The goal of Tommy's Parent Friendly Awards
is to reward those individuals and organisations that go the extra mile
to put parents' needs first. The Baby and All Bag does just that - it's
a great innovation and we'd like to congratulate Debbie on her win."
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