Rattles to Riches

The inaugural Rattles to Riches feature at The Baby Show For Trade 2011 was a great success. Here's what the winners thought of the event...

"Rattles to Riches gave me the great opportunity to pitch my breastfeeding clothing range to top and receive valuable feedback as to its  feasibility as a brand from people in the know.

As a winner, I have consequently secured a contract with a major retailer which has allowed me to increase my production and establish my brand as a reliable supplier. Although the competition was quite nerve-wracking, the praise and positive feedback from exhibitors and judges alike, gave me the confidence to take my brand forward and add to the range.

I am very much looking forward to showing the fabulous extended range at The Baby Show for Trade this October - a collection I am very proud to have developed over the past 6 months."
Charlotte Keating, 2010 winner
 
"I entered Rattles to Riches when BuggyTug was still in the development stages and really wasn't sure what buyers would think of my simple safety product. The feedback given from the judges in the first round was absolutely invaluable and I was delighted to get through to the final.

Pitching to five key industry buyers has been a definite career highlight for me and in addition to winning a free stand this year all five buyers have placed orders for BuggyTug.  The experience was so positive I'm racing against the clock to get my next launch at a stage so I can enter again!"
Di Mayze, 2010 winner

...and it isn't just a great opportunity for the winners...

"Rattles to Riches was a great platform for meeting buyers and for launching your product in a retail setting.  I learned a great deal from the feedback I received from the judges, the types of questions they asked, and even more later through networking with the other contestants. I also secured an order with a major retailer and broadened my contact base.

It is a perfect way to try your hand at pitching your product. Despite the high profile of the panel members, they went out of their way to make sure it was not intimidating."
Francine Lyle, 2010 Finalist