An Edinburgh-based IT professional is making a move into product design, with her debut product set to make shopping easier when it launches this spring, thanks to a recent funding boost to kick-start her business idea.
My Trolley Mate is a mobile phone holder designed to help shoppers seamlessly use their phones for lists, budgeting, and checking ingredients. The device clips onto shopping trolleys, keeping phones visible and accessible.
Sharon Ward, the founder of MTM Concepts, secured a £15,000 loan from DSL Business Finance through the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme to help with production costs ahead of the product’s release, joining thousands of others who decided to launch their businesses following the pandemic with the support of Start Up Loans.
The idea for My Trolley Mate came to Sharon during a frustrating shopping experience in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Juggling a mask, handheld scanner, and her smartphone – used to manage her shopping list – left her searching for a practical way to keep her phone accessible. Annoyed by the constant screen locking and the inconvenience of repeatedly stopping to check her list, Sharon began developing her own design.
To better understand shopping habits, Sharon surveyed 800 people through the egg social media channels – Scotland’s largest networking group for professional women. Two-thirds of respondents reported using their phones while shopping, with 85% relying on them for shopping lists. Many also expressed feeling self-conscious about checking their phones in-store, particularly during the pandemic, when face masks made screen unlocking more difficult.
In response, My Trolley Mate was designed as a lightweight, portable clip-on holder to keep phones accessible and secure while also featuring a space for a trolley coin. Unlike bulkier alternatives made for bicycles or prams, the device uses MagSafe technology – a magnetic attachment system developed by Apple – allowing the phone to attach quickly and reliably. To ensure compatibility with all devices, the holder includes a self-adhesive MagSafe ring that can be applied to any phone case.
Sharon, who currently works full-time in IT for Tesco Bank, developed the product despite having no previous manufacturing experience. She collaborated with a colleague who owns a 3D printer to create the initial prototype, allowing her to test and refine the design. To prepare for full-scale production, she worked with an injection moulding company to optimise the materials and manufacturing process, ensuring the final product was durable, lightweight, and cost-effective for mass production.
The product will initially be available for purchase on the My Trolley Mate website and, over the next five years, Sharon hopes to see the device stocked in supermarkets across the UK and internationally.
Sharon said: “The idea for My Trolley Mate came to me during the pandemic when grocery shopping became unexpectedly difficult. Like so many others, I relied on my phone for my shopping list, but managing it alongside a mask and trolley was cumbersome. There was nowhere to safely place my phone, and stopping in the middle of an aisle to check my list was awkward – it often felt like people thought I was reading my texts.
“That was four years ago, and getting the product to market has taken time. Developing the right design, testing prototypes, and learning about the manufacturing process has all been a challenge, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the idea come to life. I’ve designed My Trolley Mate to be versatile and easy to use, keeping your phone exactly where you need it – whether for your shopping list or navigating supermarket self-scan apps. I’m very excited to see the response when it launches in April.”
Recent data from the British Business Bank highlights a 40% increase in Start Up Loans funding for Scottish entrepreneurs compared to pre-Covid levels. In the five years following the pandemic, nearly 3,000 loans were issued in Scotland, totalling more than £39 million – a notable rise from the £27.7 million provided in the five years prior.
The surge in funding reflects the growing financial pressures faced by entrepreneurs in the wake of the pandemic. As many smaller business owners struggled with the economic impacts of Covid-19, rising operational costs, and ongoing market uncertainty, support through initiatives like the Start Up Loans programme became vital.
Barry McCulloch, senior manager, UK Network, Scotland at the British Business Bank, said: “The pandemic was a turning point for many entrepreneurs, and I often hear how lockdown offered them the time to pause, reflect, and reconsider their business goals. For many, that reflection sparked new ideas and ways of thinking about their business’s future. My Trolley Mate is a perfect example of that kind of resilience and innovation. Sharon saw a common problem and created a simple yet effective solution, which is at the heart of successful start ups. We’re proud to have played a role in helping her take My Trolley Mate from concept to production, and are looking forward to seeing it in supermarkets across the UK.”
Lindsay Hamilton, loan officer at DSL Business Finance, added: “Sharon’s journey from identifying a problem to bringing a fully developed product to market is truly inspiring. She has invested a great deal of time and effort into developing and refining My Trolley Mate, and I’m delighted that we, at DSL Business Finance, were able to support her in taking the final steps by providing the required loan funding. It was a pleasure to work with Sharon and play a small role in bringing this innovative idea to market. We look forward to seeing My Trolley Mate making shopping easier for customers across the UK.”
