Refill and Replenish supplies everything from store cupboard essentials (pasta, rice, nuts, etc) and environmentally friendly bamboo coffee cups to shampoo bars and household cleaning products – all plastic free!
It was co-founded by Laura Hayward and Alice Hooley in summer 2018, based on an idea which Laura, a keen environmentalist, had been mulling over for a year. Alice experienced a ‘Blue Planet moment’ on watching the final episode of the acclaimed television series and was horrified on filling her entire kitchen table with ‘everyday bath/beauty stuff’ in plastic containers. At that point she knew she wanted to remove as much plastic as possible from shopping and investigate alternatives.
Becky Lodge made the initial introduction between Laura and Alice then, following a simple breakfast meeting and further discussions within the safe, supportive space of StartUp Disruptors, their idea grew. The entrepreneurial duo now take their goods to market across Hampshire, in a van and a converted horse box.
Laura had already investigated the target market and, once Alice joined her, they looked at small shop premises. However, for a number of reasons, including leases and being unsure of early revenue, the figures simply did not add up. Interest in products was obvious and being mobile has enabled them to be cost-effective during this early growth stage.
Attending Petersfield Market – in appalling weather – provided excellent feedback and placed them face-to-face with customers. New display units allow people to see an expanding range that will increasingly incorporate items suggested by customers. Alice and Laura are entirely self-funding Refill and Replenish, because both presently run it around part-time jobs and young children.
A website is in development but the crucial factor in launching the business has been StartUp Disruptors.
“We would not have met without the Portsmouth StartUp Disruptors group and we cannot stress the overwhelming support and useful pointers from other people in our situation. From them Laura already knew an Excel expert who built the database. Our embroidered aprons came from another contact in the group and we’ve had an opportunity to talk about the business and the ethos behind it on Express FM.
“We have also received solid recommendations to accountants and other vital business support professionals, but ultimately StartUp Disruptors is a reassuring and understanding network, where everyone brings something of real value to the room. No question is too silly, no concern too small.
“We are buoyed up at the moment, fresh from our first market – everything is new and exciting, but we also know that the long winter months may be very different. That’s when the value of having contacts with experience will come to the fore, people we can bounce ideas off and talk to about our development, such as when to take the next leap.
“It’s early days, but we wouldn’t be here without each other and it’s thanks to StartUp Disruptors that our business is now a reality – we are welcoming people who bring jars, bags, boxes and more to refill on a regular basis.”
It’s two years since we first met in a Portsmouth
pub. In that time we have helped numerous people Start, Disrupt – and most importantly – GROW. We now reach more than 50,000 small business owners across our online and social media platforms, with VIP online subscriber groups operating for Portsmouth, Southampton and Chichester.
Supported and sponsored by Uber and Funding Circle, we focus on growing your business and sales, with an online VIP mentoring and support group for members – it really is 24/7, operating 365 days a year. Our price is £19.99 a month per city – choose from Portsmouth, Southampton or Chichester.
You’re family when you are part of our genuinely inclusive community. Peer to peer support ensures members make reliable and trusted connections, whether their business exists in the mind, on the kitchen table or has moved into premises and recruited staff.
Our ethos has caught the eye of some major sponsors and partners – people who like what we do and how we do it. They offer special deals, discounts from partners and genuinely useful free stuff!
We hold monthly meet-ups to help our pro-active and highly engaged entrepreneurial members gain confidence in networking and to enable them to connect with other local businesses.
The chance to enter our annual Business Awards (last year Uber gave all winners £150 worth of Uber credits).
Signposting to free resources that will save your business thousands of pounds.
Access to discounts on training courses to help your business grow more quickly.
Articles, hints and tips, expert advice and mentoring and an approved and vetted supply chain in your group – to save you time and avoid being ‘ripped off’.
We are recognised as the ‘go to’ group for support and networking in our cities and wider Hampshire community. We help people with great ideas make those ideas pay, but don’t just take our word for it…
“StartUp Disruptors is a vibrant and trustworthy group which attracts people like me who have found that other networking groups do not work beyond superficial connections.”
“I am growing alongside other like- minded people and it’s ended that ‘there’s only me’ isolation. It’s not a case of whether I can afford it, I cannot afford to be without these wonderful people.”
“There are new ways of doing business and they’re driven by exciting people tapping into emerging technologies. They think differently about how you can create and grow a business.”
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