One Business Turning Mess Into Success

But with encouragement from people around them, they decided to borrow money to begin production, and because of the product’s potential they didn’t find it hard to secure finance. “I had a couple of key people I could approach, and because of the uniqueness of the product and what it could do, people just didn’t hesitate,” says Skovron. “They recognised the benefit, and they recognised the potential not only for the Australian market, but for a global market.”

The final product is an 83cm square platform with synthetic grass (which dogs recognise as real grass) on top of a corrugated tray. The grass has porous holes at its base, so liquid seeps down to the collection bucket, and even the messiest of dog poos are lifted easily off the grass, as it doesn’t absorb moisture.

“We started with 12 samples. One went on my balcony, one went to [TV vet] Dr Harry for his impression, and 10 went to stores,” says Skovron. “Once stores started ordering them, I sent an application to The New Inventors and they put us on the show on July 5, which was our official launch last year.” Then he employed a PR agency to draw media attention to the ABC’s show.

The response to their appearance on the TV show, as well as associated press coverage, was overwhelming and has steamrollered Pup-Pee Solutions to becoming a global business in less than a year. The business has been rewarded with top honours at The New Inventors People’s Choice Awards, the 2006 Pet Industry Award for Product of the Year, and the product was featured on Dr Harry’s show.

“Without sounding arrogant, I’ve had that much media coverage I can’t actually keep up,” reports Skovron. “We’re putting on stores so fast and I’ve got all of my resources going into manufacturing and getting my sales reps out on the road, I haven’t had time to upload all of our media exposure onto our website.”