Name: Kease
Based: Chorley, Lancashire
Website: www.kease.co.uk
Kease keyrings are a new invention, providing a solution to the age-old problem of losing your keys. They combine style and practicality with trendy patterns, appealing as a unique gift and personal fashion accessory.
I am the sole drive and energy in my company, and received my first products in August 2013. The concept was designed in the UK, and I negotiated tooling and packaging of the product with a manufacturing company based in China. I run all social media avenues and have a website for online sales. I sell well at fairs in the UK and have seen increased online sales. I have also incorporated a new domain to sell accessories alongside my product.
My belief in my invention pushed me to enter various competitions for businesses. In March last year I was a finalist in The Mall Corporation Retail Factor Competition, and won free trading at The Mall at Blackburn for three weeks, giving me the opportunity to learn and trade in a professional environment. I learned the importance of visual merchandising, keeping accurate financial records and marketing.
Later I was awarded a special prize in the UK final competition – a course at the prestigious Oxford Summer School for business – which taught me a lot about being relevant in today’s retail market. I was also chosen as one of the Top 100 businesses in The Pitch 2014 Competition and have won a spot at the Virgin Trains Pop-Up event.
Sue Seddon is the owner of Kease
