While she was researching storage solutions Helen became acutely aware that there was no one shop where you could find a good choice of storage solutions and she decided that a mail order catalogue would be the simplest way of providing the best possible selection of basic items. The company began by sourcing the ubiquitous net bag (featured in NE last autumn) that allows children (and adults) to sort items into groups and see where they are without tipping out the contents. Once she felt she had amassed a broad selection of goods Helen then decided to get 800 catalogues printed to put her idea to the test.
'In the run up to Christmas 2002 I worked on lots and lots of Christmas stalls in schools and nurseries with the catalogue, giving part of the profits to school funds, in order to discover from teachers, children and parents, what they found attractive and most useful. Running a stall and observing everyone's reactions was a really good hands on way of doing market research and it also gave me the idea of using the catalogue for fundraising. I met so many teachers, carers and parents who were keen to raise money for their schools and they recognised that what I was selling was a fresh concept.'
Toy Tidy has gradually expanded over the past year with a broader range of products, the newest of which is the Look and Find storage cupboards.
'These cupboards encourage children to find what they are looking for themselves and this will, hopefully, foster feelings of independence in their play and their lives,' says Helen. 'Toy Tidy was created with self-help in mind and my aim is to limit the "where is?" factor.'
Toy Tidy's new website and on-line shop is now up and running and another catalogue, including more ranges, is available. Telephone 01223 291430 www.toytidy.com
