The Story Behind The Whizzer
Hello, I'm Zoë. Ready for a back-story?
I designed the Whizzer™ when my son Mayson was a toddler with a constant need for the loo!
We were constantly on the move and drove a lot so I carried around an empty takeaway cup from my morning coffee (my treat of the day) then used it for my son to pee into.
It meant that I could cover his private area with the cup, and stop any spray from getting on our shoes and clothes.
By collecting it in the cup it also stopped us from creating a yucky wee river that would trickle towards us and anyone walking through its path. Surely there had to be a solution to this common embarrassing inconvenience?!
Here is my son at the zoo beautifully demonstrating the only other option available to parents. Carrying a potty around is not ideal, feasible or dignified!
I couldn't believe that there wasn't a product that could solve my problem.
From Problem To Solution
So, in 2014 I designed the first Whizzer™. At the time I was also nursing my terminally ill father who was bed bound so I knew my invention could be used for so much more than toilet training toddlers.
Determined Single Mum's Whizzer™ Dream
As a single mum managing numerous responsibilities, I found myself unable to allocate the necessary time, financial resources, or support to bring the Whizzer™ to life. Regrettably, I had to set aside the idea for the time being, but I promised myself that I would revisit it in the future. Despite the challenges I faced, I remained determined to find a solution to my problem.
DETERMINATION WILL PREVAIL
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2020 was full of stress and unpredictability, especially for parents juggling homeschooling on top of everything else! Following a miraculous recovery thanks to life-changing spinal surgery in 2019, I decided to make this the year that would be significant for all the right reasons.
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By October 2020, I held the first Whizzer™ sample, and by Christmas, I took on the daunting task of handling all aspects of the project alone. From designing packaging to mastering business essentials like legal protection and marketing, I pushed myself to launch the product for pre-sale in 2021.
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The launch date of the Kiddiwhizz website was 17th February 2021 to honour the 6th anniversary of losing my incredible Dad who gave me the entrepreneurial flair, unstoppable determination and kind spirited dedication.
Thank-you For Your Support
Behind the launch of this product, there is no hidden team or corporate funding. It is driven solely by a determined Single Mum with ambitious dreams, supported by a community she built on social media. The incredible Mums who became Whizzer™ champions have provided unwavering support, carrying her through setbacks and fueling her perseverance. The kindness and connection experienced online have showcased the positive power of social media, leaving her eternally grateful.
Launching a product as an unknown female inventor from the living room of a council flat was only one step of the virtually impossible task I was setting out to achieve. Making sure I could raise the funds to have the Whizzer™ manufactured and finding people to buy it was all part of the journey against the odds...
A SNIPPET OF SUCCESS
Blog posts
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Winning Traits of the 21st-century entrepreneur
I'm celebrating Global Entrepreneur Week with an article on what I think it takes to be a 21st-century Entrepreneur. I was asked by Enterprise Nation for my break-down of traits...
Winning Traits of the 21st-century entrepreneur
I'm celebrating Global Entrepreneur Week with an article on what I think it takes to be a 21st-century Entrepreneur. I was asked by Enterprise Nation for my break-down of traits...
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My guide to starting your own business
The Step-by-Step guide to launching a bootstrapped product start-up business I've often asked by those in various stages of their start-up business journey where I started and the path I...
My guide to starting your own business
The Step-by-Step guide to launching a bootstrapped product start-up business I've often asked by those in various stages of their start-up business journey where I started and the path I...
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The Dragons' Den Journey - Part 1
THE DRAGONS DEN JOURNEY How did I go from starting a business from my airing cupboard in 2020 to filming Dragons' Den in just 18 months? Here's the condensed version...
The Dragons' Den Journey - Part 1
THE DRAGONS DEN JOURNEY How did I go from starting a business from my airing cupboard in 2020 to filming Dragons' Den in just 18 months? Here's the condensed version...
