Best Startup
Animal Handling Sessions for Schools, Nurseries, Care Homes and Birthday Parties. Promoting sensory development with fun educational facts.
Tell us about yourself?
Caring for animals has been my hobby for years, and in March 2017, I started River’s Rodents and Reptiles primarily to pay for the upkeep of my animals.
I love giving children and adults the opportunity to meet and learn about animals they have never met before. I have a super smiley personality and great a telling silly jokes about my animals!!
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Get organised! Or do a Vehicle Mechanics course so you could fix your car!
What problem does your business solve?
Allows children and adults to meet and learn about animals whilst also promoting sensory development.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
My passion about Animal Care is what inspires me, and this is relayed in my Animal Handling Sessions
What is your magic sauce?
I keep my business simple with fixed costs, 5 different animals and a script that can be presented to all age groups. And of course my smiley personality!
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
To go on Tour round the UK with the animals. Off the back of the Online Animal Session, I am slowly converting a large horsebox truck to house myself and the animals. Taken over a year so far, but getting there! Need more solar panels though.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
The lockdowns was a huge mental and financial challenge, as I couldn’t face a live audience, until I adapted and started the Online Animal Sessions.
How do people get involved/buy into your vision?
To reach out to more Schools, Nurseries and Care Home to promote sensory development and the learning about Animal Care.
