How did you become “The Loxos Changing Station Guy” ?
As a victim of the 2009 job cuts across the country I found myself out in the job wilderness. After a frustrating period of trying very hard to find the equivalent position I woke one morning to find that I no longer had the desire to chase around the country to interviews that had a higher attendance than the Saturday night viewing figures for the X-Factor!!
After a few (social) drinks one night I got to talking to a family member who said that just before he had retired he had done a small amount of business with a very nice lady from France whom was the M.D of a company called Loxos that specialised in the design, manufacture and sales of professional baby changing stations across Europe. Although they previously had some sales success in the UK they no longer had a permanent presence so were possibly looking for a UK agent……. hhhmmmm this sounds good.
A quick chat with my fiancée (The Boss) it lead to me getting back into my business best and in November 2009, with my strategy in hand, I found myself standing outside a very impressive office and factory in northern France. These discussions lead to being granted the sole agency in late 2009 for sales and distribution across all of the UK and Ireland…. Fantastic. From business to bricks and mortar was the next move as I now had to convert an old (but cheap) farm building into a proper office but with plenty of help from my friends and some very chilly snow covered days later I was ready to start in Mid March…….
Off we go……
Since the start in March many new things have happened, lots of marketing and sales e-mails have been sent, and many of the dreaded prospecting calls have been made. The new part to me was to put myself out into the world of web site maintenance, word press site building and twittering to help me keep in touch with what is going on all around and to see what sort of network can be built for mutual gain……so far so good.
What`s the product again ?
They are Loxos Professional Baby Changing Stations that we currently supply to Day Care Nurseries (crèches) and the relevant hospital wards (Maternity, Neonatal etc). Designed to incorporate all the things that a user requires in this type of high traffic area such as hand wash basins, various baby bath sizes, storage and in some models staircases to prevent back injury.
The maternity range incorporates all these things but also has options for baby scales and larger two person models to allow access by both a doctor and a nurse. All models have a single section molded change surface to ensure that they are very easily cleaned with no edges to harbour germs.
The list goes on and on but I feel that the the best way to see is to visit us at www.EarlyQuip.com and download our range PDFs that show them all in a quick view format. We also offer a wide range of storage furniture that perfectly compliments the Changing Stations from reception tables and cloak storage to simple box storage for each Childs daily essentials.
So what next ?
Well as I speak to you now we are here and doing ok but with much more to do. Even though I have the full support of Loxos, and very helpful they are too, we are essentially still a start up and its all about letting people know where we are and what we do. Our advantage is that we have such a well designed product that once seen it really captivates, and without a doubt is fit for purpose. With so many model sizes and options there really is a model for all needs. So to be honest I will carry on as I am, keep marketing and knocking on doors to find the new customers and try to future proof what we are doing……. If you know of anybody whom may be interested please get in touch or point them in my direction and I am always here to talk them through what they have seen and what model will work best for there needs…… no obligation just a chat with a chap called Rob!
I do have a future plan for the EarlyQuip product range and business growth but that would be telling ! Take a look at the EarlyQuip WordPress page and sign for updates and all news can come straight to your inbox!!
Where to find EarlyQuip?
www.EarlyQuip.com (main site, range PDFs, some pictures and contact page)
www.earlyquip.wordpress.com (Very new but has: Pictures, Info, Blog, Company Updates, Comments sections and place to have your say)
http://twitter.com/EarlyQuip (You know what happens here!!)
Drop me a line, send an e-mail, tweet me or leave me a comment it would be great to hear what you all think.
Rob
(The Loxos Changing Station Guy)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: mazda__madness
August 4, 2010 at 11:52
Rob – what a fantastic product and a great story to go with it! It’s heartening to read how job loss can inspire someone to take a new direction in life and feed their entrepreneurial spirit. I’d wish you Good Luck but you seem more than capable of making enough of your own:)
@mazda_madness
Many thanks for your kind comments, I hope that one day in the not too distant future I can report back that all is still going to plan, so far so good and hopefully “The Loxos Changing Station Guy” is here to stay !!
Sometimes things happen for a reason andgive you the shove you need to take a chance on youself x
Oh and good luck with tha Mazda…..I have a similar project on the go with a 1989 Range Rover Classic… its ongoing!
As it is the subject matter of one’s childs requirements one should prefer the best Baby Changing Station
@Koala Baby Changing Representative,
Whilst this is an obvious attempt to promote your product over our Loxos stations it does highlight the distinct difference in our target markets :
Koala are fold down tables (not stations) designed for infrequent use in public toilets whereas Loxos Changing Stations (providing a bath, handwash, change area and storage) are designed and used in child day care environments and relevant hospital wards where they must withstand high daily use by carers and clinical staff.
I have nothing against the Koala product as it is ideal for its purpose, it is just for a different part of the market !
I wish you success.
Rob Winnard – Earlyquip, Uk Loxos Agents.
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