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Children love scooter power
29 November 2009 By Helen Boylan
When Lisa Gaynor’s daughter got a scooter at the age of three, her reaction was so positive that it inspired Gaynor to start her own business.
‘‘I couldn’t believe how easily she took to it. Everywhere we went, people would ask about it," said Gaynor, who launched MicroScooters.ie at the beginning of September.
Gaynor combined her interest in the product with ‘‘free consultation advice’’ from her husband Ned, who is also a director of Evergreen Energy, a renewable energy firm.
The pair invested their savings in setting up MicroScooters.ie, which imports a range of scooters for children from Britain. ‘‘We wanted to set up something cheap, and running an online company suits my lifestyle as a mother of young kids," said Gaynor.
Her husband created the company’s website, which uses free e-commerce transaction software from Zen Cart.
‘‘There’s no monthly or yearly fee - just a commission per payment - and we used PayPal for credit card clearance," said Ned Gaynor.
The company’s products include the award-winning, three-wheeler Mini Micro Scooter, which was designed using advice from Swiss medical experts. Gaynor said the product helped to develop balance, coordination and motor skills in children.
‘‘It’s easy for kids to use because it doesn’t swivel," she said. ‘‘As they lean, they move easily with the scooter." The firm also sells larger scooters and kickboards, which are a cross between a scooter and a skateboard. The three types sell for €60, €100 and €180 respectively.
The company stores the scooters in a warehouse, for same-day dispatch to customers. Each product has a two-year, free replacement warranty. Gaynor said that the company was beginning to see a return, with about three orders every day. ‘‘We’re hoping to see an increase over the Christmas period," she said.
Without a big marketing budget, MicroScooters.ie relies on attracting customers through word of mouth and exhibiting at shows such as the Top Ideal Homes and Toys for Big Boys. ‘‘Most parents are convinced by them when they see their child using one," said Gaynor.
‘‘We feel that this is a far superior product to other kids’ scooters on the market."
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