What inspired you to start your business/ brand?

My son died 4 years ago. On his second anniversary I wanted to find something which would give me and his siblings a feeling of comfort and connection. Having struggled to find exactly what I wanted, I have created Blue Bear & Co., aptly named after Charlie’s beloved ‘Blue Bear’. 

We currently have 3 bears in our collection. Our Brown Bear stands head and shoulders above other plushies at 40cm. Within the back pouch (accessed via popper studs) is a tech device which has a heartbeat and the ability to record a 10-second voice message. There is also a plushie heart to infuse a personal scent (this could be a perfume, aftershave or essential oil). These features make this bear a truly unique and heartwarming keepsake. The pouch is also big enough to store other small momentos, and we have an option to add on a mini glass jar which could hold a tiny keepsake, written note or even a loved one’s ashes.

As part of this collection, I have created a 20cm ‘light blue bear’ which is inspired by Charlie’s blue bear. This bear has our charity pin in its ear. Thumbs up for Charlie. My husband and I set up this charity in memory of our son, 10% of all the profits go directly to TUFC.

Our third bear ‘dark blue bear’ is the inspiration for a children’s book I have written, ‘Finding You’, which will be published in September 2025.

This project has been a real labour of love, and I believe this is evident from the attention to detail, luxury feel and unique packaging of these bears.

What are your brand’s values?

Each bear has a purpose and meaning. My aim was for people to feel comfort and connection from our beautiful, thoughtful and unique teddy bears. Our slogan is ‘bears for life’, we live in a throwaway culture, but I’d like the bears to have longevity, be collectable and precious keepsakes for all the family, regardless of age, gender, etc. 

 

Our Brown Bears, in particular, stand out from other brands as the customisation can be done in the comfort of the customer or recipient's own home. The batteries can be changed, the voice recording can be redone, and the scent can be replenished. Although we don’t recommend machine washing, the device and scent plushie can be removed should they choose to wash them. 

• Each bear has a branded ear tag/pin and navy neck ribbon. They are all made from luxury fabric and filled with recycled stuffing. They are also weighted with beans inside to make them extra tactile and luxurious.
• They are each packaged within a cotton-branded drawstring bag and a branded tube to make them really stand out.

 

What is your biggest motivation?

My motivation was born from my own personal grief. I longed to have something tangible which I could hold onto with Charlie’s voice, a heartbeat and a scent. Although I did find something similar in a very well-known store, the experience was very impersonal and quite stressful. Although the bear initially gave me the feeling of comfort I desired it was short-lived as the batteries eventually ran out, the voice and heartbeat disappeared, and the scent faded. As a bereaved Mum, this caused even more heartache.

My brown bear can be customised in the comfort of your own home, or I can do the personalisation for customers. Customers can access the device and scent plushie to replace batteries, voice recording, and replenish the scent. Each brown bear also comes with instructions and a poem.
A percentage of profits from our light blue bear goes directly to our charity, Thumbs Up for Charlie. We provide respite to families whose children have been diagnosed with a brain tumour, who may be going through treatment or bereaved as a consequence of a paediatric brain tumour. We have also worked in partnership with Alder Hey and contributed over £30,000.00 towards a research project to help improve choices and outcomes for families.

Our dark blue bear is the character in a heartwarming story of endurance and hope, ‘Finding You’.

 

Where did the inspiration for your product(s) come from?

My son Charlie and his blue bear. I feel that he has been my motivation and inspiration. We recently held a retreat for bereaved Mums, hosted by our charity, TUFC. As part of this, I gave each Mum a Brown Bear, the impact was plain to see. Each Mum told me how they loved the softness of the bears, quality, and they took immense comfort in putting their child’s unique voice and scent within their bear.

In my day job, I am a therapist, working with children and young people. I have also tried to think about the sensory experience each bear offers. Our brown especially provides a unique experience: smell, sound, vibration of the heartbeat, etc. It is a way of keeping loved ones close and harnessing precious memories and momentos.
 

 

What has been a highlight whilst creating and building your brand?

I love being able to tell my story. I feel this is a beautiful tribute to my son. I can talk about him, tell his story, raise awareness, but also give other families something tangible to hold onto. 

This is not what I ever expected to do, but I feel Charlie has sent me on this journey….I don’t know where it will end, but I am just going with it. I feel very proud of my unique collection and have been very humbled by the feedback I’ve received from people.
 

I also won an award from Theo Pathesis, SBS (Small Business Sunday), for my brand and concept. I have also been nominated for an EVA award, which is quite remarkable as I don’t think I’ve ever won anything in my life!!

 

What advice would you give to business owners, creators, designers and brand owners just starting?

Believe in yourself and your brand. Even if things don’t always go to plan, there is always learning from the experience. Be authentic in your brand and with your customers. 

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to ask for help, I have been amazed by people's kindness, support and generosity.

Most of all, enjoy the experience. I am doing things I never thought I would and enjoying every minute with Charlie by my side.

 

Will you be launching any new collections at the Home & Gift Buyers' Festival, and if so, can you give us a sneak peek?

I’m hoping I’ll have a sample of the children’s book ‘Finding You’. I’d hoped to be launching our pink bear as a nod to our 12-month-old baby girl, but I don’t think this will happen in time for the Home & Gift Festival.

I will have some lovely branded jute shopper bags and our miniature glass memory jars.

 

What is your personal favourite from your new collection?

My brown bear. I have Charlie’s voice inside, I love feeling the vibration of the heartbeat, too. The scent I have chosen reminds me of memories we made together. It’s something myself and Charlie’s siblings all benefit from…it truly has given us a feeling of comfort and connection, and I know Charlie would have adored it!

 

If applicable, how do you operate your brand sustainably?

We use recycled stuffing and recyclable packaging.

As the batteries can be replaced, the message re-recorded, and the scent replenished, I feel people are more likely to keep our bears as a keepsake rather than simply throwing away.

 

 

Come and meet Nicola and see the meaningful Blue Bear & Co. range firsthand at Stand: DP4-A26 – register now to join us at Home & Gift.