Innovation is about seeking a solution to a challenge – whether it’s as big as dealing with climate change or finding a better way to manage an everyday problem.
Take Sunshine Coast entrepreneur and inventor Kelly Lavery and her simple, but brilliant invention - the Strucket. This ingenious household helper is becoming an Aussie icon that has already sold 250,000 units and led to an extended range of award-winning products.
The story began in 2015 when Kelly, then aged 37, had given birth to her third child and faced an everyday challenge that many parents of young children can relate to.
Like most parents, she would soak bibs and baby clothes in a bucket of water with laundry product to remove stains. However, she thought there must be a less messy way to do the job, so she came up with the idea of an integrated strainer and bucket with an interlocking connection and external plug – and the Strucket was born.
An elegant solution, solving a problem simply and effectively.
“Once items are finished soaking, you just pull out the strainer and click into place on the side of the bucket – leaving the dirty water in the bucket, which is then released down a drain by pulling a plug,” Kelly said.
“This removes having to put your hands in a bucket of dirty water.”
At first Kelly thought that something similar must exist somewhere in the world but when she investigated and even did a patent search, there was nothing like it available on the market.
Realising the potential of her idea, with great excitement she set up a business. Kelly engaged an industrial engineer to create the Strucket prototype and worked with a local manufacturer to produce it, which included developing the tooling machine needed for its manufacture.
None of this was easy – it took steely determination, single-minded focus, lots of research and the investment of family and friends. She also overcame technical roadblocks, and embarked on developing business relationships, market research, logistics, and good business knowledge.
In 2018 she was ready to commercialise the Strucket and received $100,000 of Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas funding to take the next step.
“The Ignite ideas funding was fundamental to propelling the business to the heights we have reached today,” Kelly said.
“It was a huge boost in confidence at a time we really needed it.”
To date, the company has sold over 250,000 Struckets through the company’s website, boutique cloth nappy retailers, Howards Storage, Kitchen Warehouse, and major retailers, such as Aldi and Bunnings.
The company is now moving into kitchenware with the Strucket Mini and the Strucket Teenie, both of which have won an Australian Good Design Award. Kelly is also looking to sell into the US market.
She explains some of the key factors that have contributed to the company’s growth.
“Our recipe for success is that we have worked hard, and we have looked after the company, like a newborn,” Kelly said.
“We deliver products that impress our customers, and they are proud to share them with their friends and family.
“We hope in the next five years we see our little Aussie icon in homes all around the globe.
“Strucket has certainly brought buckets into the 21st Century.”
There is a perception that innovation focuses on high-tech solutions, but, as Kelly’s story shows, it’s about developing and implementing a new, effective solution to solve a challenge, whether that’s a major issue to address or simply making everyday life a little easier.
The Ignite program supports innovators to develop ideas that have the potential to be a commercial success and generate global opportunities for Queensland businesses.
Do you have an innovative idea with potential? Learn more about the Advance Queensland Ignite Program and how to apply.
