TV coverage gives giant shuttlecock big boost (From Wandsworth Guardian)
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Clapham entrepreneur has seen huge interest in his big shuttlecock
8:49am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News By Hardeep Matharu
David Robson with his Ukick
An entrepreneur whose giant shuttlecock was refused funding on a TV business show is flying high.
Clapham-based David Robson, 29, produced the Ukick - a giant shuttlecock which you can kick around and pitched the concept to BBC show Be Your Own Boss on September 26.
Denied the £50,000 investment he sought Mr Robson has been heartened to find his TV exposure has seen interest in the product soar.
He said: "When I was travelling in Vietnam, I came up with UKick as I saw people playing with it. I took it back to Britain and my friends loved it. I adapted the original to make it safe, colourful and so it could be customised.
"Since Be Your Own Boss, it’s gone absolutely manic. I didn’t win the show, but it doesn’t really matter."
Mr Robson said many investors and retailers have contacted him about the £4.99 product, including Debenhams and Argos, and retailers in America and South Africa.
