Bo Selecta

It’s always great to hear of good conquering evil or the little guy winning through against all odds. That’s why new of success for Natalie Ellis, 41, inventor of the travel dog bowl which reduces splashes and slobber by 90 per cent is such a joy.

The businesswoman was inspired to create the travel bowl by her pet miniature pinscher, Shizza, after a brush with the law for trying to give her thirsty dog a drink while driving.
She designed and patented the non-spill water bowl which has floating tray to cut splashes and spills.

But her dreams of cracking the American market were left in tatters when she was turned down for £120,000 of investment by the Dragons and told she did not have a chance of being successful in the US. Not to be deterred the mother-of-one from Leigh-on-Sea in Essex has made more than £1 million from selling her invention in America and has now been asked to supply one for the White House's first dog, Bo Obama. "They contacted me and said can we have one for President Obama and I was taken aback," said Mrs Ellis, "It's absolutely amazing to think my invention is going to be used in The White House. She said: "This could be the start of something really big for me, it's such an amazing opportunity.

"When I go back to Dragons' Den I will be sitting in one of the chairs."

Gareth Osborne of APA, himself a Doctor of Business Innovation, said, “This is a wonderful example of invention based-on life experience, backed by courage and dogged determination. PAs have to demonstrate that same power of innovation to find solutions to unforeseen problems thrown at them on a daily basis. It is the same problem solving talent that leads entrepreneurs to take risks, realise dreams and create their financial independence.”

Do we have any PAs with exciting ideas out there?

Carly Beales FAPA