Patrick's Jelly good business idea
WHEN Patrick Gillespie was made redundant from his job in the mobile phone industry he hit rock bottom.
He was 53, on his third pacemaker, out of work and his prospects looked bleak.
But ever the entrepreneur Patrick, now 55, dusted himself off, hooked up with pal Richard Baker, and launched an unusual gift service.
Now AdoptAJellyBaby.com, launched in December, is going from strength to strength.
The quirky concept allows customers to choose a name and colour for their Jelly Baby which is then delivered in its own case, wrapped in a velvet pouch, and comes with its own adoption certificate.
Patrick said: "We wanted to create something different and fun as a gift so people can show they care.
"People have a strange affection for Jelly Babies, they want to look after them. They are silly, frivolous and cute - it's just a bit of fun."
The business is based at Patrick's home in Herringthorpe, Rotherham.
Richard, 44, said: "We've had orders from Aberdeen to the south coast. One customer ordered six - one for each of his mistresses.
"We've also had grandmas ordering them for their grandchildren and one man who wanted one for a terminally ill child.
"There may be a credit crunch but people are still finding time to send their friends and loved ones something amusing - a small token of affection."
The company also has an eco-friendly policy, and the majority of the product comes from sustainable resources or can be recycled.
The Jelly Babies are made by Haribo in Pontefract, the plastic dish used to house them is made from recycled material and, for every baby sent out, the company makes a donation to a tree planting scheme.
Log on to www.adoptajellybaby.co.uk to adopt your own.
What do you think? Add your comment below.
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. To subscribe CLICK HERE
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sheffield school massage sessions under fire
- SHEFFIELD UNITED: Blades told to turn on style in bid to regain second place: Urges Danny Wilson
- A tough-talking TV show has put the spotlight on a Sheffield restaurant. Julia Armstrong went to see what has changed...
- Biobank study will add to knowledge
- Fleetwood Mac, Sheffield Arena - REVIEW AND SLIDESHOW
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
