Rob Law

Shared by emma_kate Make Your Mark team

Rob Law has had quite a journey: from an initial business investment from his parents and family, via a grilling on Dragons’ Den, to a global business with stockists in over 40 countries! His ‘boredom-busting’ suitcase for children has certainly come a long way.

After a series of let-downs, award winning designer Rob Law decided to take the manufacturing of Trunki, his luggage range for children, into his own hands.

Rob knew he was on to a winning design, but the manufacturing side of things proved difficult. First the company he licensed Trunki to went into liquidation, and then the factory he signed a deal with in China went into receivership. Everything in the factory was seized, including the expensive moulds for the cases!

Proving that you should never give up on a good idea, Rob was undeterred and decided to take responsibility for the manufacturing of the cases himself. “I decided to go it alone and my business has flourished in the three years we’ve been trading,” he says. “Sometimes events that seem very negative at the time offer you real opportunities to take charge of your own destiny.”

Rob’s determination would come in useful when he was faced with a panel of sceptical investors on Dragons’ Den. “After shooting the Dragons’ Den episode two weeks into trading, I thought I had ruined my business,” Rob admits. “Theo ripped a strap off one of the cases, and the BBC advertised my slot by calling the cases ‘wheelie rubbish’!” However, the buying public saw the cases as the innovative and fun products they are. As soon as the episode was shown, Rob was swamped with orders and emails of support.

Rob may not have won over the Dragons, but his family, who has always believed Trunki would be a success! More than just a supporter of Trunki, his family coupled with various loans, including the support of the Prince’s Trust, have all assisted in taking the design on paper into reality!

Why should young people get involved in entrepreneurship?

Because being an entrepreneur and running your own business is as desirable as being a football star or actor – hey, they still take orders from a boss!

Tell us about setting up your own business.

The global slowdown in early 2002 offered me the opportunity to go it alone. I couldn’t find any full time work as a designer on my return to the UK after working abroad, even with major international experience on my CV. So I started developing my ride-on suitcase design in between freelance jobs until I was ready to break free!

What would your advice be to someone thinking about setting up their own business now?

Running your own business is a roller coaster of highs and lows. The lows help define your character and shape you into a wiser and more mature person. The highs are the most rewarding experiences and are a joy to share. It’s loads of work and you will have to sacrifice a lot, but if you didn’t then everyone would be doing it!