"I want others to experience the benefits of handcycling and promote inclusion" - Laura Wilton, founder of TRI-Cycle

Do you have a great idea for a business but have no idea where to start? That's exactly the situation this Camel Trail-based businesswoman found herself in in 2021.

Laura Wilton, founder of TRI-Cycle, came up with a business idea after being diagnosed with SPG5a. The progressive condition affects the lower half of the body, weakening muscles and causing stiffness. Over time, it is likely that Laura will need a wheelchair to get around, but the difficulty walking isn't going to stop her from being active.

Having grown up in Cornwall and now being a mother, Laura didn't want to say goodbye to experiencing the county's beautiful woodlands and coastal trails with her adventurous children. That's when she discovered the handcycle and realised there was a gap in the market.

This nifty bit of kit is just like a traditional pedal bike but it allows the rider to power the bike using their hands and arms, making it an inclusive form of transport and exercise for those who may not be able to ride a leg-powered bike.

"Having a handcycle has had such a positive impact on my life," said Laura. "Before buying my handcycle I had looked into hiring one. It would have been nice to have had that option as owning one demands transporting and storage to be factored in! They aren't small!"

Find out more about TRI-Cycle, here.

The lack of handcycles available to hire got Laura thinking: "When I was left some inheritance I decided that I wanted to do something meaningful with it, to be able to provide the opportunity to access a handcycle through hire felt like a good choice.

"Cycling has got me through some tough times. Without access to adaptive equipment, this can't happen, I want others to experience the benefits of handcycling and promote inclusion."

With a great idea in hand, Laura sought help from Outset Cornwall to equip her with the skills she needed to launch and grow her TRI-Cycle: "I had a business idea but no idea on how to run a business!

"Outset provided support to explore the idea and how it could work for me. The start-up sessions gave a lot of insight into setting up, and the run sessions take you a step further with the different aspects of the business. They gave 1-2-1 support which has been instrumental in me reaching the point I am at today."

The positive experience with Outset Cornwall sees Laura recommending the services to others looking to make their idea a reality: "If you are considering going into business, or have an idea that you want to explore, then I'd recommend starting the Outset Cornwall course.

"The team are so enthusiastic to help you start something new and you'll meet other people on their start up journey that will no doubt inspire you too. There were plenty of things that I hadn't even considered which they have advised on, helping shape the way I do things now. Peer support and a team with a wide range of experience is definitely a bonus when you're just starting out."

While Laura's story is inspiring, she's realistic and honest about her journey to becoming a business owner while dealing with a life-impacting diagnosis and explains how she's coped: "I think there are stages of adjusting to a diagnosis so I have good and bad days. Knowing how going for a cycle can be a mood boost does make it addictive. The electric assist is a real comfort too, I can relax a bit knowing that it's there if needed.

"Getting outside and doing something gives me a sense of achievement, it also feels like I've got one over on my condition. For me, there was a fear of missing out. I think about what I enjoyed before becoming disabled, going on adventures with my husband and kids, and how it was gradually fading into not going.

"I didn't want to be the one slowing everyone down, and whilst they reassured me that it was fine I felt differently. On the first ride out with the handcycle, we blasted around the woods together. My daughter said 'I love this, I've got adventure mum back again'."

Just like taking the plunge to become self-employed, there can be some hesitancy when it comes to taking up a new active hobby, but Laura ensures her clients feel confident and happy.

"There's certainly comfort in the familiar!" said Laura. "Change and doing something new tends to bring forward worries about what could go wrong. I make a conscious effort to focus on asking myself 'what could go right?' Having someone else who has tried and tested the trail and handcycle will hopefully be a source of comfort too. 1-2-1 support is available too so you don't have to go it alone."

Knowing how to deal with these uncomfortable feelings is something Laura has had to learn since her diagnosis: "It's quite challenging adapting to life at a different pace, I can't go for a stroll like I'd want to. Everything seemed to slow down and require a lot more consideration of things like access, rest points, and distance.

"It felt as though I was going to be quite restricted in what I could do. Obtaining a handcycle with electric assist gave back the chance to explore the trails that I love at a different pace. I don't want it to sound like I'm charging around, it's just really great to keep up with my kids and be able to exercise and benefit from better physical and mental health as a result."

Situated on the Bodmin-leg of the Camel Trail, Laura describes why she loves this popular cycle path: " You'd think it would get a bit 'samey' riding the trail so frequently but the Camel Trail offers up something different each time I ride. Perhaps the lower seated position gives a different viewpoint. I find the seasonal changes and wildlife to be calming.

"Bodmin to Wadebridge gives welcome shade on hot days, and tree cover on the rainy ones! The cafes are a welcome rest point. There are hidden things like a little shipwrecked boat, glimpses of coves, streams babbling, and cows which I find the need to announce on sight of them!

"I guess my favourite thing is that a trail that takes me through woodland out to the moors or to the sea is right on my doorstep."

If Laura's story has inspired you to make your business idea a reality, then why not try Outset Cornwall's courses today?

This Cornwall-based organisation is helping people make their dream come to life. Covering the whole county, including the Isles of Scilly, the Outset Cornwall programme, together with its sister programme Focus from the Outset, helps people retrain, return to work or even start their own businesses.

Founded in 2009, Outset Cornwall is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, HM Government and the Outset Foundation and has a simple mission: to help and support people living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to register as self-employed or start their own businesses.

Apart from supporting over 700 individuals and helping over 200 new businesses get up and running since relaunching in January 2020, creating more than 230 jobs in the county, a recent independent assessment found that Outset Cornwall yields a return of approximately £4.50 per £1 of public funding investment. This has allowed the organisation to extend its funding until June 2023 and continue to support local businesses to flourish.

Plus, clients have the opportunity to apply for up to £1,250 in funding to help get their businesses up and running or continue trading and growing with the help of the Catalyst Fund Grant, which was launched in 2022 by Outset.

To find out more and see how the team can help you kickstart your business journey, head to the website here, or call 01209 311 063. You can also stay connected by following Outset Cornwall on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.