The sky’s the limit for two Ayrshire mums as they launch outdoor play business

About the business

UnderSky, the brainchild of Katie Walker and Kathryn McNally, designs and produces story-led family friendly activity kits full of engaging nature-inspired activities for outdoor play. The business also runs outdoor events and parties, which include energetic games and nature exploration, that are all based on the UK’s wildlife and ecology. 

How Business Gateway has helped

After both being made redundant during the pandemic, and with a mutual love of playing in the outdoors with their children, friends Katie and Kathryn came up with the idea to launch themed play kits, full of games and props, to encourage learning through play.  

Katie, a former countryside ranger for the National Trust for Scotland, and Kathryn, a former textile and graphic designer, approached Business Gateway with the concept, in search of the practical knowledge needed to start up a business.  

The duo benefitted from a suite of Business Gateway’s start-up services, including one-to-one support from a dedicated business adviser, as well as advice on their business plan and marketing. They also used Business Gateway’s Planning To Start tool to test if their business idea had legs.  

Thanks to signposting from Business Gateway, Katie and Kathryn received a £1,000 start-up Ambition Grant from South Ayrshire Council’s Business Development Team, which helped towards the purchase of professionally manufactured contents of their play tins, bulk orders of props and trademarking their name.  

They also accessed specialist digital support from Business Gateway, which helped with product development and the setting up of a new e-commerce website. Katie and Kathryn have also attended webinars, focused on producing engaging online content and how to encourage online sales, to lay the groundwork for their website and social channels.  

UnderSky has also received IP support from Scottish Enterprise to help develop its commercial awareness, and trademark and protect its design ideas.  

Katie Walker, Co-Founder, UnderSky, said: “Business Gateway has played a big part in helping us to take the concept for UnderSky from an idea into a reality, and the team has continued to support us over the last year as we continue to get our message out there. We can’t thank them enough for the ongoing support.”