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Youdoodoll
The world’s first make your own doll!
Business description
Youdoodoll is the world’s first ever make your own mini-me kit! The doll comes boxed with clothing and photo transfers allowing you to create a personalised doll of yourself, your partner, mum or dad, siblings or anyone. The youdoodoll is a unique creative novelty gift suitable for birthdays, Christmas, or just because you want to give someone a cool funky present! Available to buy from the official website as well as high street retailers across the country, owners can also register their creations and share their photos in the ‘Gallery’ on the website, making Youdoodolls one of the most imaginative, amusing and unusual gifts available today.
Pitcher
Sarah Lu
Series 5 episode 2
Investors
Deborah Meaden
£’s invested
£70,000
% stake in business
45%
Deborah’s reasons for investing
It was very clear to me, from the fact that the Dragons couldn’t put them down, that Youdoodoll was a really fun idea which could be a popular gift. In Sarah Lu I also saw a creative, quirky and energetic person who would work well with a particular member of my team and who would probably come up with more fun ideas in the future.
What’s happened since they appeared in the Den?
Since appearing on Dragons’ Den the business has transformed from a home based family affair, where Sarah Lu’s Aunty made the dolls, to a slick professional operation. The investment provided the cash flow needed to secure office space and purchase large quantities of stock from abroad to meet demand. PR and advertising have also been successfully used to increase the profile of the product and generate sales.
Sarah Lu has just launched her next range, Youdoodoll Pets, which are guaranteed to be a massive hit in the UK, renowned as the land of the animal lover. Sarah Lu has chosen dogs as her first non-person version of the Youdoodoll, after all it’s estimated that there are 10 million dogs in this country alone. Watch out cats, you may be next!
Latest update from Sarah Lu
With Deborah onboard the business really has changed, doors have opened for me and I’ve learnt so much. In 2008 we've launched Youdoopets, with Youdoodog the first to market in conjunction with the Dog's Trust. Fingers crossed there may also be something happening with a global jeans brand - we’re currently in talks concerning the creation of their very own, limited edition version of the Youdoodoll. Watch this space!
Contact details
www.youdoodoll.co.uk
01273 682103
