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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 friends, siblings or even your favourite celebrity! The YoudooDoll is a new type of novelty gift that craves personalization to make it work. Available to buy from the official website as well as over 115 independent retailers in the UK, over 20 major online retailers and more recently, retailers around the world! It’s owners can also register their creations and share their photos in the ‘Gallery’ on the website, making Youdoo range some of the most imaginative, amusing and unusual gifts available today. LOVE IT. HATE IT. HUG IT. HURT IT. PLAY WITH IT. PUNISH IT.
Pitcher
Sarah Lu
Series 5 episode 2
Investors
Deborah Meaden
£’s invested
£35,000
% 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 the home based family affair, where Sarah Lu’s friends and family 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, YoudooPets consisting of the cute YoudooDogs and the cheeky YoudooCats, which are guaranteed to be a massive hit in the UK, renowned as the land of the animal lover. Next to hit the shelves in summer 2009 are the YoudooSuperhero range. Packed with a voice recorder, you can now record your own slogan, create your own emblem and show off your Superhero powers!
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. We are also in talks with major distributors in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe… watch this space as “The World Will be Taken Over by Mini-me’s of Ourselves!"
Contact details
01237 682103
