Clayton interviews Lee Bridges, co-founder of Play9 and creator of the innovative Roolo activity ball. Lee shares his journey from being a musician and running an entertainment agency to launching a successful pet product that has garnered significant traction in the market. They move to discuss the challenges of bootstrapping a business, the importance of community in the pet industry, and the unique features of the Roolo ball that make it a game-changer for dog owners. KEY TAKEAWAYS Emphasising the importance of community within the pet industry, the discussion highlights how collaboration among businesses can lead to greater success rather than competition. The creation of the Roolo activity ball stemmed from personal experiences with a pet, showcasing how identifying a problem can lead to innovative solutions. The process involved rapid prototyping and testing with various dog breeds to refine the product. The founders have chosen to bootstrap their business, avoiding outside investment to maintain control and quality. This approach has allowed them to navigate challenges while focusing on product integrity and customer satisfaction. Plans for expansion include launching treat products specifically designed for use with the Roolo ball, as well as a smaller version of the ball for small dogs. This strategy aims to create a consumable product line that encourages repeat purchases and enhances customer loyalty. BEST MOMENTS "I think it's almost as revolutionary as the Kong was when it came out." "I reckon we could do this, we can make something ourselves." "We wanted to come up with something so they're not circular, they're like slightly cylindrical." "It's the first time I've felt like the business is pulling as opposed to pushing." "I see some of the stands where they're just trying to make a sale." HOST BIO Clayton Payne is an industry veteran of three decades of working in the pet industry. Brought up working in his parents' pet store, Clayton has seen the industry evolve over five different decades and has been on the cutting edge of the industry since the nineties. Building pet businesses from scratch, establishing multi-national distribution chains and having worked in every aspect of the industry, Clayton has a rare insight into the Pet Industry that is rivalled by few. Clayton has been the spearhead of many of the industry's changes and has introduced numerous new concepts to market with a trail of success behind him. He has worked in numerous countries within the pet industry, speaks four different languages and has established both import and export relationships on all continents (excluding Antarctica). As well as being COO of one of the UKs fastest growing insect technology companies, Clayton is a Pet industry consultant who has consulted for many household brands and delivers sales training to pet trade professionals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-payne-a6772244/ https://www.tiktok.com/@petbusinessdisruptors https://www.youtube.com/@PetBusinessDisruptors This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/