Roarsome: From Dinner Table Idea to Global Outdoor Kids Brand

A conversation with Ed Lewis-Pratt and Will Chapman, founders of Roarsome.

Daisy Moll, Editorial Manager at Sustainable Times, sits down with Ed and Will, the founders of Roarsome, to discuss their company and story on the Profit Meets Purpose podcast.

Listen below:

Roarsome is Born:

Over dinner, Ed and Will wondered why children's clothing lacked the fun and adventurous spirit of kids themselves—why wasn’t there apparel that encouraged play and exploration outdoors?

"And we were like, surely that's a genius idea. Why doesn't anyone do that? We had no kids, no fashion background. But we thought that's quite a good idea. And then in the morning we were like, that's still a good idea."

This seemingly simple thought sparked the creation of Roarsome, a brand that has evolved far beyond ski suits to become an aspirational global outdoor kids brand.

Daisy, Will, and Ed

Ed and Will, with backgrounds in operations and design respectively, initially launched Dino Ski, an animal-themed ski wear brand, which quickly gained traction due to its unique and fun designs. Partnering with children's illustrator Jane Foster, they created a family of characters, turning clothing items into imaginative play experiences, like becoming "Spike the Dinosaur" on the slopes. Early success with creative marketing campaigns and a brand that resonated with retailers and customers for its bold, refreshing mission fueled their rapid growth

"Whatever we do we need to stand out, whether it's our clothing, whether it's our marketing, whether it's our team culture. I think we've held onto that precedent right from the beginning."

They quickly realised that they could go beyond skiing, aiming to become the go-to kids' outdoor brand globally, and Roarsome was born.

Sustainability:

In terms of sustainability they don’t claim to be perfect but they are working hard to choose fabrics, materials and processes which best protect our planet. You can find out more about their approach to sustainability here.

Roarsome's journey from a simple idea to a thriving brand is a testament to the power of creativity, passion, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families.

Funding Success:

Roarsome has successfully raised funds through private investors and overfunded crowdfunding, even getting noticed by Dragon's Den.

Their early creativity was a strong draw for their first retailers including Harrods and Selfridges.

"So we used pretty much all the investment that we had raised to buy an American school bus. And we turned the American school bus into our mobile showroom. And rather than being in one of these big halls, like packed in next to everyone else, we were parked outside the front door in a big American school bus. And all the buyers came on board."

The pair now have their own shop on Northcote Road and are opening a second one shortly.

The company is an Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) registered business and will be engaging in another round of funding for investors to be a part of. They will be pitching at Sustainable Times, investor only EIS Forum on April 24th, at The Royal Institute, London.

The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is a UK government initiative designed to encourage investment in early-stage, higher-risk small companies. It offers investors a range of attractive tax reliefs, including income tax relief, capital gains tax exemptions, and loss relief, which significantly mitigate the risks associated with such investments. Essentially, it aims to stimulate economic growth by channelling private investment into promising young businesses, while providing substantial tax benefits to those who support them

Investors can register here to attend.