Views on my business

I would say not a bad idea ,as lets face it most first aid kit of a lot of junk that is never needed ,although would add any other suggestion ,or similar

If you've not done some market research into how businesses buy their first aid supplies (eg part of a package or stand-alone); what's important to them (eg convenience or cost-savings?); and typically how much they spend on first aid supplies each year, you need to do it before you start your business.

I suggest you do the market research in an area like your target one but geographically different from it.  Explain to the people talking to you that you won't be coming after them for business but you really would appreciate some straight talking from them about whether your business model is likely to work.  

I worry that your approach (pushing fliers through business doors) might take a lot of your time but result in few sales.  Do you live near a huge number of businesses all in the same area?

Having looked at the current suppliers of first aid kits the only refills which are available are sold as a whole package containing a refill for everything in the kit. I thought that by also providing a sticker with my company details on companies can then stick this on their first aid kit so that when they use up an item they will contact me again meaning that I would have repeat customers so the fliers would be more worthwhile as I would be getting repeat customers from them. There are a number of businesses in my local area mostly warehouses and factories. Is it acceptable to push fliers through factories and warehouses? I am just thinking of running the business part time while I am studying at uni. 

I'd have said it was perfectly acceptable to push the fliers through the door BUT if you're an unknown business no-one's likely to keep your info UNLESS you've introduced yourself and explained the benefits of what you offer.  You'll need to speak to whoever it is within the company who orders supplies - or who influences the decision what to order.  

Would agree with Careers. Pushing down fliers through company doors is like giving them junk mail. It would be much better if you try and get an appointment with the supply manager or something.

I think as Linda says above, market research is key here. Centric might be able to give an industry insight as he specialises in first aid training.

But I think (in business terms) first aid kits are a pretty low cost expense with little margin. For a few quid you can get one from Halfords that will do the job for most small offices, or no doubt pay 10 times the amount from a medical supplier. 

A small company will be too busy to worry about saving a couple of quid and picking items off a list, where as a larger company will have an established supplier. You will need an impressive pitch to replace the current supplier and show a genuine cost saving and benefit versus time hassle factor.

In reality, if cost is a serious concern, a sandwich box with some plasters, a bandage and some disposable gloves from boots will tick the box, if a business deems this meets their HSE obligations, as there's no mandatory list of items to put in there, only advisable ones.

Not saying it's a non starter, but get out there talking to business owners and see if there is a genuine market.

I commend your spirit, and thinking outside the First Aid box.... (Sorry, couldn't help it!)

What is true is a lot of workplace First Aid kits are not compliant with the legislation as laid out by the HSE. When we inspect such kits, they are either half used up, or, well and truly out of date, with the eldest so far being from the 1940's.

I think as a business model, placing leaflets through doors is unlikely to have a massive response to be wholly truthful. If however, you traveled door to door with consumables, and offered a free First Aid kit health check, you may have more success. 

As a business, we advocate replacing the entire First Aid kit, and keeping it sealed for compliance. For example, if a workplace has a 10 person kit, that would be in the prominent place, with a easy break tie on it, and the contents expiry date clearly displayed on the outside of the box.

A 'working' First Aid kit is then maintained - all still in date etc, but, can be used for all the plasters etc that are often used, without detriment to the compliance holding.

So, as a business, perhaps you can carry a stock of HSE compliant First Aid kits, in addition to replacement consumables. 

If you are bringing First Aid kits 'up to stock level', i.e. just replacing a bandage or plaster, it may take some time to generate much revenue.

If you're in Wales (South, Mid, M4 Corridor, near Bridgend, Cardiff etc) you're more than welcome to take our leaflets with you, and we can supply a travelling salesmans box of bandages etc ;-)

Thanks for your help! I am near Birmingham so probably a bit far to travel to you. Carrying a stock of whole first aid kits as well as refills sounds like a good idea. Perhaps if I were to say companies have 2 kits 1 active and 1 to use as a spare so when they use a consumable in the active kit they replace it with one from the spare and then buy a replacement for the spare so if anything happens during shipping they are still covered. Thinking about the fliering maybe I could say I can check your kit for free now or give you this checklist if you prefer to do it yourself. Thanks again your post has been really helpful. I will most likely test the market by purchasing a small number of kits and if these sell then buy more. I hope to start the business beginning of July when I have got all my college work done!

Well done.
Remember, if you want something enough, work work work and keep working at it. ;-)

If something doesn't give results, change it, and keep ploughing away.

Best saying ever for business which I use daily:

"If you do what you've done, you'll get what you've got". To that end, keep altering stuff till your a millionaire! ;-)