Its probably about time that I came clean about what Pegasus actually is and how I came to spend 25 hours sniffing fumes from a fibreglass model.
Way back when Noah was in short trousers or so it seems, The old girl showed me a advert in some trade magazine for the concept 2006 competetion run by Bureau Veritas with a prize of ??1000 for the winner. She goaded me to make something seeing I was a bit of a smart arse so the challenge was set.
The Theme – Baby Products….how apt
About 20 minutes of thinking and I came up with something that still needs to be quite secret for obvious reasons. I submitted the entry not expecting anything, I got shortlisted from around 350 entries down to the last 10 and finally down to the last 4. last week i had to present my wonder at the NEC.
So a second challenge was set. Make the item without spending much cash and try and return a profit on the whole proceedings. ??78 later (including fuel) I was down at the NEC competing against products already available and at the back of stand away from the prying eyes.
Needless to say i didn’t win the top prize but after recieving a cheque for ??200 I can safely say I got home just about in profit after deducting all my expenses. Challenge complete.
The twist is that I picked up a few business cards from people who may wish to take this further, hence the secrecy.
more may follow…..
There is always a chance that if you do work involving sharp stuff that one day you’ll find that it can bite. A few days ago I replaced the blade on my trusty craft knife for a lovely sharp one that just cut through foamboard like a hot knife through butter. It also makes light work of skin!
Just a small slip and I gave myself a lovely deep cut on me left index finger. Still it did stop gushing eventually. I’m embarrased to say that after an hour and still no sign of a slow down, I had to call in the cavalry to give me some fatherly advice and a proper dressing. I better get this funding.
Next stop fibreglass…..god knows what’ll happen with that stuff.
Glasses…check
Face mask….check
Gloves…check
Sharp object…..stay away!
Last week I got an email asking me to attend a Dragons Den style panel to present Pegasus after i’d entered it as a bit of an ‘also ran’
After a 5 hour drive down to Derby on monday night followed by a late night with Teenwolf, Slowly Bowley and Bernard Manning I dragged myself, with nasty hangover, to Warwick for the presentation. It’s amazing what a shower and a suit can do because this morning to my utter surprise I got the call…..
Ask me the question Noel…….
Deal…Or rather I’m in the final 4 for a grand and possible manufacturing deal.
Heres the bummer. Mrs G7KSE is due on the 25th Sept. They want me down on the 7th October for 3 days at some trade show, so if she’s late then we miss out. Push damn you woman push, like you’ve never squeezed before.
There is another bummer, my attempts at building a mock up oout of foam board and covering it with cloth went well and truely noticed. My collar was well and truely felt by the style police. So I’m going to have to produce a proper prototype in 3 weeks.
Note to self: Focus on one thing at a time
I think I’m going to have to code name my little projects. So this one will be project pegasus (and before you ask it was actually the name of the business card holder that I have on my desk, no link to either real or ficitional winged horses is intentional etc)
I got an email from the sponsors and I’ve been shortlisted for a ‘dragon’s den’ style presentation on the 12th Sept. I basically need to produce a vaible mock up that isn’t made out of cardboard by then and if sucessful then a proper prototype by the 8th October (which is when the little Urchin is due! nice timing)
So armed with a shopping list and a some power tools, I’m off to B&Q for some hardware and to Boots for some plasters and antiseptic wipes when I cut my fingers off!
The embodiment design for the pram protector have been finalised and the submission to the b-p-a will go in this weekend. Fingers crossed they give it a good looking over and give it top marks for being the best idea in the planet, at least one which has had little or no development.
Still keep an eye open for it in the shops soon!
