Clare is saddling up a business winner

Clare is saddling up a business winner

24 July 2013

A DROMARA-based entrepreneur is working with Invest NI to help fast track her equestrian business to success.

Clare Medland is currently a participant on Invest NI’s Propel programme where she is working to develop her business idea, a versatile saddle trolley called the Tug.

Having unsuccessfully searched websites and equestrian magazines for a well-designed tack trolley which would double as a car saddle rack, Clare took the matter into her own hands.

After trialling a rough prototype using discarded items in her garage, she realised an opportunity existed for a marketable new product and her business Rolltack Ltd was born.

Clare explained she wanted to find a product which would allow for

the easy transportation

of heavy, awkward equipment, but which would also protect the equipment during travel.

“I knew that if I could find this product it would make life much easier but, unfortunately, it didn’t seem to exist in the marketplace. And that’s when I decided that if I can’t buy it, I’ll make it,” she continued.

Over the next few months, Clare invested time and energy into designing a multi-use product which was versatile yet functional. Working with Invest NI to develop a prototype, Clare launched her product earlier this year at Birmingham’s BETA International, the world-renowned exhibition for the equestrian, pet products and country clothing sectors, where it was greeted with much interest.

Clare explained: “Having developed the prototype and secured some market interest, I was keen to take my business to the next level. Through the media and business connections, I was made aware of the Invest NI Propel programme and immediately saw the opportunity for growth and development.

“I was delighted to secure a place on the programme and have already gained invaluable support and information through the workshops and from the support of my mentor.”

Clare revealed she has also been lucky enough to have been paired with Pat Killen OBE as a mentor, describing his wealth of experience and expertise as “fantastic.”

She added: “The Invest NI programme has made me reconsider elements of the product and how I had planned to take it to market. More importantly, it has focused me on how the business will operate day to day; how I can seek investment and drive the business forward.”

In five years’ time, Clare hopes that Rolltack Ltd will be regarded as an innovative global business with a portfolio of products across different sports and outdoor activities.

Open to anyone with an idea for a new high growth, export focused business located in Northern Ireland, the Propel programme has already helped 30 local companies gain over £4m of investment.