Steph Chamberlin Inventor Of The Wheela Trolley

If you want to know more about the Wheela Trolley visit the official site or read our review.

Steph Chamberlin is the inventor of the Wheela Trolley. From never having invented before her first invention has won her an award and been successfully sold to Local Authorities in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Despite her success she wants more and is looking at new avenues to sell her Wheela Trolley and possibly developing a new invention.

Steph was kind enough to give us an interview in which we learn about the process she went through, how long it took and problems she’s faced along the way.

Steph gives some brilliant answers which we can all take something from.

Had you invented before creating the Wheela Trolley?

No.

 

Take us through the steps you went through in creating the Wheela Trolley?

Had the idea, and approached our local Business Innovation Centre who helped me to draw up plans to have a prototype made. The original has been modified 3 times so now the trolley fits all lipped 55ltr boxes around the UK.

 

How long after having the idea did it actually take to create a working model of the Wheela Trolley?

Approx 3 months.

 

What problems did you face from taking your idea and making it into an actual working product?

At first we did not realise that although councils around the UK used the recycling box system, they purchased the boxes from different manufacturers and the heights of the boxes differed. We had placed the lugs on the trolley at a height to fit our local boxes.

 

How did you solve these problems?

We solved the problem by obtaining one box at every height and adjusted the height of the lugs accordingly so that now the trolley can accommodate every 55ltr box.

 

What has been the hardest part of the whole process?

We pride ourselves that the Wheela Trolley is manufactured in the UK and the quality control at the factory is second to none but manufacturing costs here in the UK increase at an alarming rate. The hardest part is trying to keep costs down to make the selling price of the trolley reasonable.

 

How did you go about getting your product sold?

Spent hours and hours on the computer e mailing councils around the UK.

 

What plans do you have for the Wheela Trolley in the future?

To go into retail and mail order.

 

What advice could you give to anybody out there who wants to be an inventor?

Go for it! Seek out a Business Innovation Centre who have a wealth of information at their fingertips and they can help with start up costs.

 

Have you had any surprises along the way?

I had not long been going and was new to the game when it was suggested I entered an annual competition in the North East “Business Idea of the Year Award” I knew my invention was good but it was a real surprise to find it won the competition. I have a lovely engraved glass trophy to mark the “birth” of Wheela Trolley.

 

Will this be your last invention or will you be looking to create more?

I do have something else up my sleeve but it’s hush hush at present!

 

LoveInventions Say,

I’d like to thank Steph for taking time to answer our questions.

I think her products one of those that could do well on a home shopping channel as there are many elderly and disabled people who watch those shows and that’s one of her target markets.

I especially loved her last answer. It’s what I said in my post yesterday once you’ve had your first successful invention you want more, you know the highs are some of the best highs you can have and you also know the lows are going to be worth it.

 

LoveInventions.com

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