This week we chat to Gayle Neville, a nurse whose six-month old side hustle is turning into a burgeoning small business. In the face of the growing issue of tool theft from tradies’ utes and construction sites, Gayle has created a virtual tool box in which tradies register all of their equipment, including serial numbers – in the event of tools being stolen, the records stored on the Tool Protect app enable them to be reunited with their rightful owner if they are recovered.
ISB: What was the inspiration behind you founding Tool Protect?
GN: My husband, a police officer, spoke often about the prevalence of the theft of power tools and the force’s frustration at not receiving the important details they need to apprehend offenders. I wanted to make the recording of power tool details and reporting of theft as convenient and quick as possible, speeding up reporting to police and processing of insurance claims, realising that for time-poor tradies an app would be the quickest way to record their tools’ details.
ISB: What was the biggest challenge in getting the enterprise off the ground and how did you overcome it?
GN: The biggest challenge was to make the app really good. It needed to be visually appealing, intuitive to navigated, convenient and take as little time as possible for tradies to make the virtual tool box. After tools are stolen life gets really hard so convenient and time-efficient reporting to police and insurance companies was essential. We have made a “skinny”’ version of app that we can add functions to in the future, but it had to be top quality from the outset.
ISB: Coming as you did from a nursing rather than IT background, how did you meet the technical issues of creating a mobile app?
GN: I had to find a company that respects that their world is difficult to others. I needed to find a company that would take the time to communicate in a way I could understand and be patient with explaining terminology and the processes that were needed to create the app. Working Mouse, a Brisbane company, was a great fit – they involved us all the way and made sure the app was achieving what we wanted and that it looked the way we wanted. They had the knowhow and guided us through the process so we achieved the finished product we needed.
ISB: How do you manage the balance between continuing in your nursing career and being an entrepreneur through this side hustle?
GN: It is hard to put Tool Protect aside to go to a nursing shift when things are exciting or need attention. It is also hard sometimes to pick up and get enthusiasm as you stop and start so much. As a full-time nurse I work on Tool Protect most days before and after shifts as well as on days off and holidays. Momentum is important so there has to be consistent and regular time spent working on the company. I find clearing a block of time to put the business aside is refreshing and beneficial.
ISB: How do you see Tool Protect developing in the next couple of years, and do you see it eventuating in a full time role?
GN: I do see Tool Protect being a full-time role in the future. There are over 1.2 million people working in the industrial sector in Australia alone and tool theft is increasing.
The App has been available since June and we are extremely encouraged by the positive reception. Over the next few years we are really excited to raise awareness and add functions and minor changes many of which have come from user feedback. We are always very keen to hear from the users as they have great ideas.
ISB: And, finally, what is the number one piece of advice you’d give to those in work who have an idea they’d like to turn into a viable business?
GN: Patience is very important. Don’t rush into starting, do your research, know the market, competitors, legal requirements, trademarking, costings and how you will get people to know about the business. You will need patience because people don’t automatically take to your product as you expect they will. You can have an absolutely top product but letting people know about it and then getting them to use or buy it is the hardest thing. And, you will have to have patience when mistakes are made and setbacks come, you will have to hold your nerve, pick yourself up and press on.
