Surrey Homes | SH16 | February 2016 | Wedding supplement inside

Introducing...
KaboodleBag
Inspired by her own hectic lifestyle, Sally Godfrey
came up with the concept for Kaboodlebag
primarily out of necessity. Even now, she is
surprised by the number of uses people find for
her fun and versatile bags.
What’s the significance of your company name,
‘KaboodleBag’? I wanted a name that encompasses the
practicality of the product and that would be catchy and
memorable. Originally, the name comes from the phrase “the
whole kit and caboodle”
which conveys the fact
that it can be used to carry
anything and everything!
What inspired you
both to start your
business? Primarily it was
need! With a busy, muddy
and active lifestyle which
includes a farm and four
sporty children. I needed a
large tub-style bag that was
roomy, waterproof and tough
to get kit in and out of the car. I also needed it to be easy to
store when not in use. After a lot of searching, I realised what
I was looking for did not exist… so I designed my own!
Have you always been a creative person?
Yes, I consider myself pretty creative. I’ve run my own
interior design business for 20 years and love making
things: curtains, designing cushions, flower arrangements.
I also love painting and drawing (in my spare time!).
What’s your favourite product from your
collection? I love all the bags! The KaboodleBag is definitely
one of those things that you never knew you needed until
you have one. Having sold them now for a few years, I am
constantly surprised at how people find new ways to use them!
Top Ten Uses:
1. Wellies in the boot of Car
2. Laundry Bag
3. Wet Suits & Life Jackets
4. Beach Bag
5. Muddy Rugby Kit
6. Horse Riding Stuff
7. Gardening Trug
8. Shopping Bag
9. Children’s Toy Box
10. Log Basket
Do you enjoy working for yourself?
Yes, I love working for myself as I can combine and balance all
the elements of my life: my family, the farm, my interiors and
KaboodleBag… I don’t like being bored!
What makes all the hard work worth it?
I love it when I’m at a Fair, people walk past my stall and stop in
their tracks saying ‘that’s what I need!’. When people just “get”
the product and realise it is what they have been missing, it’s
incredibly satisfying!
What influences your product aesthetic? As well as
the practical side, I wanted the bags to look funky and fun in a
variety of bright and appealing colours. The bag itself comes in
two sizes and is designed to stand up on its own like a tub but can
be easily rolled up for storage. The handles are very strong and
the perfect length to either carry by hand or over the shoulder.
What is the essence of the business? I wanted to go
back to traditional values, to offer a really practical, well made
product that will last for 25 years and is made in the UK.
Tell us about the process of creating your
product? I had great fun designing the patterns and making
prototypes over my kitchen table. The next step was to scour
the country to find a manufacturer as well as sourcing fabrics
and parts. I went on to designing the logo for labels and letterheads
to start to create a memorable brand. Next I created a
website to sell KaboodleBags and to get the name out there.
All of a sudden my entrance hall was full of KaboodleBags
and I realised ‘Gosh, this is real... I have to sell them now!’
Clockwise from above, Large Turquoise & Lime Kaboodlebag,
£33; Small Aqua & Pink Kaboodlebag, £28; Large Navy & Pink
Kaboodlebag, £33; Large Kaboodlebags in assorted colours, £33
www.wealdenfairs.com/kaboodlebag