Firm turning discarded plastic into toys wins Devon’s Fast Track to Growth Programme
A Devon company launched to sell sustainable and ethical toys in the UK has been named the winner of this year’s Fast Track to Growth programme in Devon.
Good Things UK sources and sells ethical, fairtrade and sustainable gifts for children from around the world, including toy boats made from discarded plastic bottles and fairly made eco-friendly cotton animals.
The winner was announced at the Fast Track to Growth (FT2G) Finale Pitch event at Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre, the culmination of an intensive free business support programme for 20 ambitious Devon businesses. Totnes-based handcrafted jewellery company One & Eight was named runner up.
Fast Track to Growth gives ambitious companies based in Devon access to free business support to achieve their growth plans. Winner ‘Good Things’ will receive £10,000 worth of on-going business support from the FT2G partners.
Lucy Willougby founded the company after seeing the damaging impact consumerism has on the environment. The company which is based in South Brent is set to launch online on July 15.
She said: “The opportunity to strategically develop Good Things, and benefit from the knowledge, skills and experience of the partners at the early stages of the business is a very special privilege.
“The whole Fast Track to Growth experience has been very rewarding and informative. I was delighted to even be shortlisted, so to win is just incredible. It has been amazing to learn from the partners’ expertise, connect with other businesses facing similar challenges and feel supported now and in the future.”
The partners chose One & Eight as the runner up and will work with the business, which already sells online and through retailers including Fat Face and the National Trust, to support its growth plans as it prepares to export beyond the UK for the first time.
The FT2G programme is supported by Devon County Council, Astley Media, Commissioning HR, Momentum South West, NatWest, PKF Francis Clark, South West Business Support Solutions and Stephens Scown LLP.
The companies who made it through to the final pitch were Blooming Organised, Co-cars Ltd, Food Plymouth CIC, FRS Marketing & Communications Ltd, Heartfelt Products, LarkOwl, Love to Taste Ltd, Map Your Future, Mills & Moore, Mindmaps Wellbeing, Packed Lunch Prep, Ruth's Real Food, Start Point Law, Sweetland Solutions Ltd, Torquay United Community Sports Trust and VA Accountancy.
Alison Lambert from FT2G partner Commissioning HR said: “This year’s Fast Track to Growth programme has once again highlighted there are some great businesses in Devon. Everyone demonstrated their learning from the programme in their final pitch. We are really looking forward to working with Good Things and helping them to develop their people plan in line with their growth plans.”
Rachael Houworth, of Sales and Customer Service Partner Momentum South West, said: “The time and effort that the finalists had given to their four minute pitches was incredible. I sincerely hope that they all go on to achieve great things in their businesses.”
Dan Pritchard, Managing Director of FT2G founders Astley Media, added: “Fast Track to Growth is all about supporting Devon’s growth businesses. This year we’ve helped companies in retail, e-commerce, technology, food and drink, professional services and the charity sector. Many stood out but I’m delighted that we have two exciting brands packed with potential as our winner and runner up in Good Things and One & Eight.”
For more information about the Fast Track to Growth programme visit: www.FT2G.co.uk
Good Things will launch online on July 15 2019: www.goodthingsgifts.co.uk
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