Kelli Aspland built her business after a 'life changing' thought at the school gates
A mum who decided to pursue a business idea she had whilst on the school run says the move has been "life changing". Kelli Aspland decided to put her career on hold when she cooked up a new product idea with a friend at the school gates - and now their business venture has turned over more than £5 million.
Kelli, alongside fellow mum Laura Waters, came up with the idea for a product which would help school pupils apply suncream independently after finding their children repeatedly came home covered in the lotion. The friends had become irritated with schools' "no touch" policies which prevent teachers from helping pupils with applying sunscreen.
Determined to find a solution that would help their children apply the cream for thermselves, the pair created Solar Buddies - a refillable sunscreen applicator designed to help children apply suncream independently and without the mess. The idea has since grown into a global business and has turned over an incredible £5.5 million for the two friends. : "It is really strange thinking about it.
But I know I made the right decision and I love everything about what I do.
"I am far from a millionaire, but the journey from starting my nursing journey to where we are now has been life changing. Having a better-paid career, along with the opportunities and flexibility that come from running our own successful business, has completely changed our lifestyle and given us financial stability we never imagined before.
"The 47-year-old had planned a career in nursing after her four children all faced serious health challenges while growing up. However after coming up with the idea for Solar Buddies, Kelli decided to defer her place at university to fully commit to their business venture. Kelli said: “I just got a bit frustrated. I understand that teachers can’t help them, they have a no-touch policy, but it’s so difficult to try and get them to learn how to do it.
"You’re trying to teach them why they’re doing it and it’s very difficult for them to do it. It literally ended up a conversation of ‘well what could we do about this?
'. " Kellii and Laura found the business idea exploded in 2021 after being picked up by influencers. The pair also went on to appear on Dragon's Den and were able to secure an £80,000 investment from Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones. Kelli said: "We landed with a big plop in the US, and we hadn’t prepared for it.
Mums and mumpreneurs across America backed us loudly online and championed our community, we had never experienced viral support like that before.
"Everybody just says ‘is it easy? ’ but it doesn’t just happen, you’ve got to work hard. Every single time you question every single thing you do, every move – nothing is guaranteed.
"You could be up here one minute and then down there the next and then you’re back on it again trying to analyse everything you’re doing and saying ‘are we doing it right? ’ What can we change? Why is it not working? ’ I feel like that is the story of my life every single day.
"However the company has rocketed to success, turning over £5.5 million, alongside securing major brand partnerships. The pair's business is also expected to double in size by June 2027, and Kelli and Laura say they have some major global partnerships in the pipeline. But despite the business' profits, Kelli says the biggest reward has been creating a product which is genuinely helpful to families.
She said: "It’s not just a product or a gadget, it’s about trying to invoke these really good sun safety habits and values, and teaching children from when they’re a very young age.
""Something that makes it a little bit easier for them to do and fun instead of chasing them around like lunatics everywhere, because I’ve done that, I’ve done that million times. " She added: "What I’ve had to do is learn to relax enough that I don’t turn my brain into overdrive. When I go home, I’m with my family; when I have to tune in, when I have to do my work, I have to take it very seriously.
"I love being home with my family and it is my absolute respite, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’m doing this business for my family, so I could be around my family all the time.
"Care has always been our advantage in business. Our customers get that, it’s why they continue to buy from us and recommend us.
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