Rainy Day Box Co- Creator Aly Cranston shares her self starter experience

by Startacus Admin

We have a chat with our current self starter of the week Aly Cranston about her fab award winning business Rainy Day Box Co and what it means to be a self starter. 

What do you think make up the characteristics of a Self Starter?

To be a Self Starter you need to be tenacious, driven, extremely hard working and possibly a little bit stubborn.

Let's talk about you! Tell us about your business and where the idea came from?!

After the birth of my son Kit (my little wiggly worm), I knew I was in for a wild ride. One rainy autumn morning when I had no idea how to fill the day with my son,

I decided to put together a box full of different things to amuse us whenever we were bored. It was soon after that I decided other parents could benefit from a Rainy Day Box,

so I set up the business to help grown ups with their own indoor days and also because I felt I had stumbled on a good idea.

How important was market research in getting the product right before launch?

Market research is key to making sure your great idea is not just fantasy and is actually a great idea that others will part with their hard earned money for.

Looking back I think ‘The Rainy Day Box Co’ could have done more, as it would have cut down some of the learning curves at the start.

Talk us through your business highlights to date?

In just a short time The Rainy Day Box Co, has won Theo Paphitis's small business Sunday award. We have also been awarded mentoring by 'The Fixer' Alex Polizzi,

we were nominated for The Guardian small business showcase and won the Vista Print small business grant.

I am currently nominated for a Mumpreneur of the year award and will find out on Thursday the result, so keep your fingers crossed for me.

What plans are in place for the business for the next 6 months?

We have some very exciting times ahead with lots of new boxes about to be launched.

We also have some really cool pitches coming up for various opportunities and I’m expecting my second child in the next few weeks.

How can fellow Startacus members get in touch (apart from via your Startacus profile of course!)

We love a chat so would love fellow startacus members to get in touch, email us info@therainydayboxco.co.uk, call us 01732252255,

tweet us @Rainydayboxco or send carrier pigeons.  You can can also visit our website www.therainydayboxco.co.uk

Thanks Aly! We look forward to hearing what other exciting things you and The Rainy Day Box Co get up to next!

If you are a self starter like Aly then why not take a look at our Self Starter Awards and find out how to get involved.

Join Startacus - the Self Start Society!

 

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Published on: 26th March 2014