TWO Scots businesswomen are on course for a second successive year of forecast-beating sales with a baby products business that TV's Dragons said had delusional expectations.
The Cheeky Chompers business run by Amy Livingstone and Julie Wilson has sold 100,000 of the neckerchews designed by the women in its first 18 months, compared with a target of 63,000 for the first two years.
The success reflects the enthusiastic response Cheeky Chompers has had for a product the Edinburgh-based mums designed after tiring of picking up and resanitising dropped teethers.
The Neckerchew combines a dribble-catching bib with a chewable teether
The product is listed by over 100 retailers across the UK, including John Lewis, Jojo Maman Bébé and Mothercare. It is distributed in 26 countries.
The women tried to get backing on Dragons Den but were told by a panel that included Duncan Bannatyne that their targets were delusional.
"It feels very satisfying to be able to say 'we said we would and we did!' to the Dragons," said Ms Wilson. "As mums ourselves, we knew that in Neckerchew we had created a simple but practical solution that parents would love, and the sales speak for themselves."
The women are confident enough in their ability to read the market for goods that can help make life easier for babies and parents that they are preparing to launch a new product, the Comfortchew.
They say the new product combines a teether, comforter, tags and the feel of a baby's favourite teddy. Comfortchews can be attached to babies, cots, car seats, buggies or dummies, meaining no more dropped teethers or lost comfort blankets.
The company's success has started to filter through into the wider economy. Cheeky Chompers employs four people including the founders.
The company's products are made in Glasgow.
Cheeky Chompers sold 27,000 Neckerchews in its first year of trading, compared with a pre-launch target of 23,000.
The company sold 73,000 Neckerchews in the first eight months of the current year.
It budgeted to sell 40,000 Neckerchews in the full year.
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