CANCER SURVIVOR-TURNED-ENTREPRENEUR CAROLE DREAMS OF SETTING UP FACTORY IN SALFORD TO MAKE HER UNIQUE FLAT-PACK BEDS FOR CANINES 

ForHousing tenant, Carole Duck from Salford, is bringing comfort and joy to dogs and their owners.  

Carole, who beat cancer 10 years ago, is the creator of the Duxenall forever dog bed – the only flat-pack dog bed on the market.  

The handmade dog beds are self-assembly, don't require tools and have a handy storage bag, making them ideal for pet owners who want to take their companions on holiday. 

64-year-old Carole, who was formerly a carer and makes her unique product at her Salford home, got her inspiration for Duxenall Dog Bedz from her own canine companion, Harry.

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"As a puppy, he would chew all the dog beds I bought, so I decided to create something that would last." 

It had to be cost-effective and comfy. Carole experimented with some bits of wood and deck chair material, creating a sturdy, raised bed that she could take anywhere with her and would be easy to repair if necessary. "Harry loved it and didn't chew it!" 

 

Friends encouraged her to think about selling the beds to other people. A leaflet from ForHousing saying "Do you have a business idea?" was the catalyst she needed. 

ForHousing's 'Do Your Own Thing' project helps budding entrepreneurs launch their own business by providing help and advice on how to set up in business and a grant of up to £500 to get started. Do Your Own Thing has helped launch over 250 start-ups since 2013. 

Enterprise and Innovation Lead at ForHousing, Eric McBean, helped Carole to secure a grant when she launched in 2017, so she could bulk order the materials she needed to make the beds. He also gave her advice and support on setting up and running a business, including how to cost her product so it was competitive. 

Carole said:

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"Eric was so knowledgeable and supportive,

"He gave me confidence to give it a try. I had bowel cancer 10 years ago so developing my own business has given me a real sense of purpose for the future.   

"I work from home at the moment but my dream and ultimate goal is to set up a dog bed factory with onsite childcare, job-share and well-being support so mums can have a proper career. Then I'd leave the factory to my grandchildren one day." 

 

Carole sells her dog beds online and by attending craft fairs and markets.

A pop-up slot at John Lewis in September helped boost the business further and Carole was thrilled with the sales and feedback.  

Carole told us:

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"One customer took the dog bed camping and the dog was so comfy it wouldn't get out. Another customer said it was the best dog bed she'd ever used and had had it over a year at that point!"

The dog bed is versatile and comes in three sizes with four colour choices and can be ordered via Carole's website https://www.duxenalldogbedz.co.uk  

Eric McBean, Enterprise and Innovation Lead at ForHousing said: "At ForHousing we're passionate about making more things possible for more people and the Do Your Own Thing scheme is just one example of that. 

"We're delighted to see Carole following her business dream and Duxenall Dog Bedz going from strength to strength, we look forward to continuing to support her in any way we can." 

For more information on ForHousing's Do Your Own Thing scheme visit: https://www.doyourownthing.org.uk/